Picnics and drunken driving
With the onset of winter, picnic season is setting in. Picnickers feel that a picnic without drinking pack after pack, bottle after bottle, in picnic spots, cannot be complete and enjoyable. On the other hand, drivers under the influence of alcohol indulge in boisterous driving, which results in adding to the perils on the road. Now a question arises in the minds of common people: Is it the true meaning of picnic? Can we not convert the chaos and rowdyism-filled picnic into a quiet outing by a river or near a forest? The editorial, 'Other side of picnic' published in your esteemed daily on December 22, has rightly said that a picnic does not mean blaring sound boxes and microphones, drunken brawls, rash driving, or littering picnic spots with plastic, polythene, and empty liquor bottles. All these despicable activities not only destroy the very concept of a picnic, but they also cause serious disturbance to peace-loving and law-abiding fellow beings while polluting the environment and ecosystem immensely. It is the right time for all of us to change our stereotyped mindsets and take a strong pledge to make the picnic an enjoyable, environmentally friendly, educational, and memorable one. We must remember that by respecting nature, we ensure the future survival of all types of living and non-living creatures. Since road accidents continue to be the biggest killer in the state, we need to emphasise adequately road safety awareness amongst the picnic revellers to curb fatal road mishaps. Let us always keep it in mind that a new year comes every year, but life once lost is lost forever.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati
United for Indian Constitution
It is reassuring that the deadlock in the just-concluded winter session of Parliament had ended with a debate on 75 years of the glorious journey of the Indian Constitution. That our sacred document has been able to unite both ruling and opposition politicians around the Constitution bodes well for the nation aspiring to be a developed country by 2047. As poignantly pointed out by the Prime Minister, the Constitution is the "basis of our unity." Now such consensus should help promote the ideals propounded by the Constitution and avoid the pitfalls as pointed out in the polarised discussion.
Rajib Sarma
Guwahati
1st World Meditation Day observed
World Meditation Day was organised by the Department of Yogic Science and Naturopathy, Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya, on December 21, 2024.
Recently, the United Nations General Assembly declared December 21 as World Meditation Day. On this occasion, under the initiative of the Department of Yogic Science and Naturopathy of MSSV, virtual observation of the Day was organised, in which more than 100 students and teachers had participated.
Lily Chetia, resource person of Adhyatm Sadhna Kendra, New Delhi, beautifully conducted a meditation session on 'Preksha Dhyana' through its three steps: physical relaxation, breath awareness, and Jyoti imagination. The event started with the message of Dr. Mridul Hazarika, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, MSSV. He outlined the importance of meditation for an individual and society. Also, he appreciated the initiative and offered his best wishes for the success of the event.
Asst. Professor Dr. Madhan Borah discussed the scientific benefits of meditation. She briefed that the regular practice of meditation improves mental health, increases concentration, lowers blood pressure, increases creativity, and problem-solving ability. Dr. Ujjwal Arun Maske discussed the meaning and types of meditation. Also highlighted its importance for the students and teachers.
Gouri Prasad Sarmah
(gouriprasadsarmah589@gmail.com)
Ageing population in India
India is at a unique stage in its demographic transition. India is characterised by a rise in its young population, which could be an opportunity to accelerate growth. However, a parallel phenomenon that needs equal attention in the context of India's economic development is the rapidly ageing population. Ageing is a continuous, irreversible, universal process that lasts from conception to the death of an individual. However, the age at which a person's productive contribution reduces and he or she becomes economically dependent can possibly be considered as the beginning of the elderly phase of life. According to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, a senior citizen means any person being a citizen of India who has attained the age of sixty years or more. A demographically young country like India is ageing slowly. By 2050, 1 in every 5 persons in India will be above 60 years of age. 1/8th of the world's elderly population lives in India.
Dr. Satyawan Saurabh
(satywansaurabh333@gmail.com)
Dwindling camel population
2024 is the "International Year of Camelids" as per the United Nations (UN). Llamas, alpacas, and camels are prominent members belonging to the camelid community. The camel-rearing industry has grown significantly in Australia and the United States, and African countries Somalia and Kenya lead global camel milk production. The dairy value of non-bovine (camel), specifically its nutritional and therapeutic benefits, is a field that remains largely unexplored in India. Camel rearers are predominantly found in the two important states of India: Rajasthan and Gujarat. Age, climate, grass quality, milking frequency and methods, and watering periodicity are a few factors that determine the quality of camel milk.
Unfortunately, even as camel milk consumption is not a common phenomenon and not particularly interesting to many, the dwindling population of the animal in India is worrying. Camels have to be inbred to help them thrive. Boosting sustainable growth and promoting the livelihood of camel herding communities in India are areas that need special focus. The importance of a uniform procurement and pricing policy for camel milk cannot be stressed more. Also, regular workshops and conferences have to be organised across the country to make the common man aware of the nutritional value of camel milk. A government workshop held in Rajasthan's Bikaner recently is, therefore, a welcome step towards the same.
Dr Ganapathi Bhat
(gbhat13@gmail.com)