RAGA
and Assam
On March 29, Congress MLAs wore black dresses as a mark of protest against Rahul Gandhi aka RAGA’s disqualification as MP. They marched together to the state assembly to bring an adjournment motion in the house on the issue. In this process, they created a ruckus in the assembly, breaking all existing laws and norms of the house. Interestingly, Akhil Gogoi, even though he did not wear a black dress, was in his usual style to give a helping hand to Congress. A whole day of proceedings in the house was once again stalled, costing the state exchequer dearly. Now the main point is who Rahul Gandhi is and what his contribution is to Assam’s development. So far as a bonafide politician, Asomiya RAGA is simply a lower house MP from Kerela after being evicted from his ancestral bastion, Amethi, and was the president of INC. He is on bail against seven criminal charges, including the National Herald case. His contribution to Assam is a big zero. Then why this ruckus created by the so-called Vadra Congress and Akhil Gogoi?
We, the electors and tax payers of the state, demand an explanation.
Joel Gayari,
Tangla.
Cyber crimes at a rise
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has come out with a worrying report: cyber crimes against children are on the rise. Smartphones have become a trend as well as a present-day necessity. The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic forced every individual to go into a shell; children, too, were not spared. Studying from home through online classes also meant unbridled and unrestrained accessibility to smartphones. Since many parents were at a loss to understand the complexity of these sophisticated gadgets, parental guidance to children was not forthcoming or was limited. This emboldened cyber-tricksters. The NCRB report says that in 2021 there were 1081 reported cybercrimes against children. Unreported incidences may be much more.
According to the bureau, phishing and sexual harassment were the most common cybercrimes. Broadly, pornography, cyber stalking, cyber bullying, defamation, and identity theft are regularly used by cyber fraudsters. When trapped, children do a great disservice to themselves by not confiding in their parents. Of course, parents as well as teachers have the huge task of identifying symptoms of harassment or abuse in children. An open line of communication between parents and children should do the latter's morale the world of good. Children should wear their thinking caps on, apart from being alert to ward off fraudsters. The government, on its part, should strengthen the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to tighten the screws on the criminals.
Dr Ganapathi Bhat,
(gbhat13@gmail.com.)
Prevention of
blindness week
India has a significant population of visually impaired individuals, with around 12 million people having a visual impairment. The latest national survey for blindness and visual impairment in India has highlighted that corneal issues are the second most common cause of blindness in the country. The Indian government has launched various initiatives to provide opportunities for blind people and educate the population on eye health. These initiatives include the establishment of institutions that provide education, training, and job opportunities for blind people; financial assistance for eye surgeries; free distribution of spectacles; and eye check-up camps. The government also focuses on research and development in the field of eye care through the establishment of the National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO). Eye health is of utmost importance, and spreading knowledge related to it is crucial. The Government of India organizes the Prevention of Blindness Week campaign every year from April 1 to April 7 to raise awareness towards visually impaired individuals. India has a significant population of visually impaired individuals, many of whom are impaired by birth or due to mishaps. Through its various initiatives, the government has played a critical role in addressing the issue of blindness and visual impairment in India by providing opportunities for blind people and educating the population on eye health.
Advanced technology has opened up new avenues for preventing blindness and visual impairment. AI-based systems, gene therapy, and minimally invasive surgical techniques offer new hope for patients with eye diseases and can help reduce the burden of blindness worldwide. The government's focus on research and development in the field of eye care holds promise for the prevention and treatment of visual impairment in the future. Continued investment in research and development is crucial to unlocking the full potential of these technologies and ensuring that more people can enjoy the gift of sight.
Krishna Kumar Vepakomma,
(vepakrish1956@gmail.com)