sentinelgroup@gmail.com
Regular flouting of traffic rules
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to bring to everyone's notice the consistent flouting of traffic rules by some drivers traversing the two narrow service lanes by the highway connecting the Basistha Chariali and the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati. As a frequent commuter, I have come across people who wilfully drive on the wrong side, leading to jams and congestion on the already narrow road and putting the regular and rule-following commuters at risk. Some teenagers are handed car keys by their parents. Such youngsters drive recklessly on the wrong side of the road, and when asked politely to follow the traffic rules, they respond aggressively because they know they would get away with it and there's nobody to stop them. There are also no measures in place to check whether they are over the legal driving age. The sheer lack of traffic police personnel and checkpoints in the area further exacerbates the overall issue.
I hope that the designated government transportation and traffic officials take stock of the situation and introduce effective means to curb the menace.
Partha Pratim Bora,
Guwahati.
Digital movement in NE
Over the past decades, Assam and the Northeast have undergone an extraordinary transformation, emerging as a cornerstone of India's growth. A region once synonymous with neglect and insurgency has been revitalised today when one finds low- and middle-income households, women, and girls using mobile internet round the clock, which has not only closed the digital divide in the rural-urban landscape but also ensured they get their due space to contribute to economic transformation instead of just remaining passive beneficiaries. It is an encouraging scenario to realise the full potential of the entire Northeast region for inclusive development. The worth-reading editorial, 'Bridging digital gender gap', published in your esteemed daily on May 17, has rightly said that sustaining the momentum, which has been spectacular, is driven by various social welfare schemes of the government as part of the Digital India initiative, prioritising women's empowerment. As per the study by the Internet & Mobile Association of India, the mobile internet users among women in India account for about 46 percent of the total in 2023, which is reflective of efforts by the governments in the region to narrow the gender gap. Today, NE's rural non-working women have learnt phone banking and CIBIL scores to focus on income-generating activities to repay loans and interest on time to improve credit worthiness, which is really praiseworthy. Needless to mention here that the rising popularity of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) ecosystem has helped advance women-headed startups and business ventures in the region. It also has reduced worries of the working women's population handling cash and frequent visits to the brick-and-mortar bank branches, which are not adequate in the low-density population hill states in the NE or hill districts of Assam. Now, what is more important is creating an environment for judicious use of digital access, as the technology has come with multiple challenges, and therefore, organising periodic awareness programmes on safe internet use among women self-help groups, women collectives, women organizations, traditional institutions and women elected representatives in local bodies is necessary for various financial institutions to protect them from the modus operandi of cybercrimes and banking frauds. A strong digital governance framework is an imperative need in every state of the Northeast. It will enable easier and hassle-free digital access for women of the region. As the nation marches towards its centenary in 2047, bridging the digital gender gap in the Northeast will undoubtedly be a driving force in India's journey from Amrit Kaal to Shreshtha Bharat.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Deal with the circumstances
Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes we face challenges when we are studying, working on a job, or doing any task. When we concentrate on our duties without being distracted by outside situations or others' opinions, we become stronger and more disciplined. Difficult times come and go, but those who keep working patiently always move forward. Instead of blaming the situation, we should improve ourselves and stay committed to our goals. No matter what happens around us, we must keep doing our best and never give up.
Sofikul Islam,
Goalpara, Assam
Unemployment in focus
India has released unemployment figures on a monthly basis for the first time. In April 2025, the rate was 5.1 percent. This step is a positive change. This will help the government to keep a close eye on the employment situation. It's an important step towards transparency. It will also be helpful in policymaking. However, data alone is not enough; practical measures are also necessary. This is a good start. Now the government should also focus on increasing employment opportunities.
Asad Damrubar
(masad92135@gmail.com)
World Hypertension Day
Every year, May 17 is observed as World Hypertension Day. Doctors say that with nearly 30 percent of India’s adult population living with high blood pressure, hypertension has become one of the leading risk factors for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and premature death. They are urging people to rethink what is considered ‘normal’ this World Hypertension Day. Despite its significant impact on public health, a large number of people with hypertension remain undiagnosed, underscoring the urgent need for a national shift in healthcare priorities. The study also estimated that approximately 300 million people in India have hypertension. The prevalence is notably high among younger populations, with 26 per cent of those under 45 diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2024. What’s more concerning, doctors say, is that nearly half of those with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition.
“Prevention and early intervention are not just options—they are imperatives. Alarmingly, nearly 30 per cent of India’s urban population under the age of 40 is already affected by hypertension or prehypertension. This calls for immediate and collective action across healthcare, policy, and community awareness to protect the health of our fellow citizens," said a lady doctor. The doctor noted that 80 per cent of heart attacks and strokes caused by hypertension could be prevented through simple lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt intake, increasing physical activity, and managing stress.
Bhagwan Thadani
(bhagwan_thadani@yahoo.co.in)