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Poor learning in private schools
At a time when the state's overall educational scenario does not paint a rosy picture, the news headline 'Keep eyes open in choosing private schools: ASSB to parents,' published in your esteemed daily on July 4, has cautioned everyone, especially those parents who exhibit a marked penchant for having their children educated in private schools even in rural areas, following the worse performers of the government schools. As reported, 141 private schools across the state drew blank (zero success rate) in the 2025 HSLC examination results. Another 19 private schools in the state resorted to the malpractice of opening the sealed question papers of HSLC examinations much before the scheduled time of the start of the examinations, which had brought a bad name to the state's education sector. The board's appeal to the parents of the students to see thoroughly from infrastructure to proper registration of private schools before they enrol their children there is a point to note, as the learning abilities of a vast segment of our future citizens hang in balance both in private and government schools. The running of a section of private school in the state without adherence to the basic regulations only highlights that the very purpose of such schools is not imparting quality education but minting money at the cost of students' future, which is a matter of serious concern for every responsible member of the society. Compromising with the quality of teachers through employing low-paid and underqualified teachers is a colossal wastage of human resources just because our government, policymakers, and elite section of the society have failed to put adequate thrust on the qualitative aspects of education. To check this disquieting trend, the sphere of school education must be treated as a high-priority area. There is a need for sustained intervention in aspects like the appointment of competent and trained teachers in private schools. A monitoring mechanism on the performance of private school students is another must. Teachers and school management must be made answerable for the bad performance by the particular private schools. The right to education (RTE) does have its emphasis on qualitative improvement, for which private schools urgently need an integrated approach for their complete overhauling for the larger interest of the present young generation.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
The Indo-US trade deal needs caution
This refers to the recent development of US President Donald Trump pushing for a 'very big' trade deal with India. While the rhetoric sounds promising, past experience, like the 2019 withdrawal of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) benefits impacting $6.3 billion worth of Indian exports, signals the need for caution. Trump's reciprocal tariff threats reflect asymmetric bargaining, where the U.S. leverages trade deficits to gain market access, risking a shift in Indo-US ties from strategic partnership to dependency amidst the rise of China. Although delaying the July 9 tariff deadline would give India breathing space, it must resist pressure to open politically sensitive sectors like dairy and agriculture, especially since the U.S. has not rolled back punitive tariffs on steel (50 percent) and automobiles (25 percent). A rules-based, equitable framework should guide India's trade diplomacy without being dictated by arbitrary deadlines.
Sagartirtha Chakraborty
Ph.D. Research Scholar
Cotton University, Guwahati
Sleeper cell
Very often we find Pakistani film celebrities with utmost hatred towards India performing in India at the behest of Indian counterparts, namely Diljit Dosanjh, Mahesh Bhatt, and a few more. Our Bollywood celebrities, like Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, the three Khans, Shabana Azmi, and others, to name a few, are in fact sleeper cells of Pakistan. They have their bodies in India, but their souls lie with Pakistan. The latest stand taken by veteran Bollywood star Naseeruddin Shah has in fact crossed the Lakshman Rekha.
The All-India Cine Workers' Association (AICWA) has taken the right step by formally appealing to PM Modi, demanding a total ban on the digital and media presence of all Pakistani nationals involved in the entertainment world in India. For the above-mentioned Bollywood stars, terror attacks, including 26/11, Pulwama, Uri, and Pahalgam, carry no weight. Inviting the Pakistanis to India is an emotional assault on the families of victims of terror. All these above-mentioned Bollywood stars should be made outcasts.
It happens only in India, as we are secular.
Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,
GUWAHATI.
Zoonotic diseases
The first rabies vaccine was administered by French scientist Louis Pasteur on July 6, 1885. This brought about a heightened awareness about zoonotic diseases, or diseases that are transmitted between animals and human beings. Besides direct contact, insects, ticks, and contaminated food can also act as vectors for disease transmission. Anthrax, Covid-19, rabies, brucellosis, and bird flu are well-known zoonotic infections. It has to be remembered that while all zoonotic diseases are not transmitted by vectors, a few vector-borne diseases are also zoonotic: malaria and dengue are classic examples. Nearly 2/3 of infectious diseases are spread from animals.
According to WHO, sixty percent of known infectious diseases are caused by animals-bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal. Poor sanitation and hygiene, inadequate food safety measures, and animal habitat encroachment by humans have contributed to the proliferation of zoonotic diseases. Those who are at a higher risk of contracting zoonotic diseases, especially farmers, should be made aware of the zoonotic risk factors. Countries of the world have adopted the 'One Health' approach to tackle zoonotic diseases through multisectoral collaboration. World Zoonoses Day falls on July 6.
Dr. Ganapathi Bhat,
(gbhat13@gmail.com)