sentinelgroup@gmail.com
River dolphin conservation
Recently a news item regarding the first-ever geo-tagging of Ganges River dolphins in Assam was published in your esteemed daily, which was not only good news but also a historic milestone for the species and India. The river dolphin is a beautiful animal that is intrinsically linked to Assamese folklore and culture. Locally called 'xihu,' it used to have a wide range, but, sadly, now it is confined to the river Kulsi, located on the outskirts of state capital Guwahati. It shelters a sizable number of the animals, but rampant sand mining has put a serious question mark on its long-term conservation. The only silver lining of late has been enhanced awareness among the local communities about the need to protect the river dolphin by declaring a patch of the Kulsi River as a sanctuary for it and keeping the stretch out of bounds for any intrusive 'developmental' activities. The Kukurmara stretch of the river is well-known for river dolphin sightings. The area needs proper promotion and protection as it can emerge as a tourism hub centring around this species. The upper reaches of the river need regular dredging to maintain river depth and water flow for the survival of the rare species. What is urgently needed is a proper dolphin conservation plan by the state government in consultation with experts and local communities to ensure that this living heritage and the state aquatic animal find themselves locked in a losing battle. The need for the areas where this mammal occurs to be kept free from anthropogenic and industrial pressure cannot be ruled out.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Shaw's decline
Ravi Shastri once saw Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Virender Sehwag in Prithvi Shaw. He was a player "born to play cricket," Shastri had said of Shaw. A ton on test debut against the West Indies in 2018 and a blistering 52-ball 70 in the next announced Shaw's arrival on the big stage. But Shaw played his last test for the country in 2020. He was part of the Indian ODI team for a little more than a year. Now at the age of 25, he has not only been left out of the Indian team, but he does not find a place in the Mumbai side as well. His exclusion from the state team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy has effectively rendered all chances of Shaw making a comeback to the Indian team extremely slim because Indian cricket is bristling with talent and perseverance, hard to replace.
All these make for a sad reading because Shaw was touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket after Sachin Tendulkar. Experts as well as connoisseurs of the game had high hopes for him. Despite possessing a unique style of batting that slightly resembled Sachin Tendulkar's, the former under-19 World Cup-winning captain turned out to be a pale shadow of the Indian great. Indiscipline, antics, and arrogance reportedly caused his downfall. Shaw was embroiled in frequent off-field controversies. While those could have been shrugged off, through his poor fitness and casual approach, he was apparently becoming a liability for teams. As aptly put by an office bearer of the Mumbai Cricket Association, "Shaw is his own enemy."
Dr Ganapathi Bhat
(gbhat13@gmail.com)
Brahmaputra Carnival
The Brahmaputra Carnival is ongoing at Lachit Ghat in Guwahati. Organised by the Department of Tourism, this 90-day-long winter festival, running from December 15, 2024, to March 15, 2025, has become a major attraction for tourists and locals. The carnival offers a wide range of activities, such as rides, zip lines, sports, shooting, archery, speed boating, and hot air balloon rides. Alongside these thrilling experiences, visitors can enjoy a variety of delicious traditional foods and fast food, making it a perfect blend of fun and culture. The music and lights at Lachit Ghat create a vibrant atmosphere, especially during sunset, which provides a breathtaking beach-like view. Such events not only showcase our rich culture and cuisine to people from across the country but also support local businesses. Vendors and small-scale entrepreneurs get a platform to showcase their products and earn a livelihood, boosting the local economy. I believe this kind of carnival should be organised every year in several parts of the state as it promotes tourism, preserves cultural heritage, and brings communities together. Kudos to the organisers for creating such a memorable event.
Ramkrishna Sarkar
(rksarkar265@gmail.com)
Degrading air quality index in Guwahati
I am writing to express my concern regarding the deteriorating air quality in Guwahati. As residents of this beautiful city, we are witnessing a steady decline in air quality, particularly during winter. As per the recent data, Guwahati's Air Quality Index (AQI) has been consistently poor, often crossing hazardous levels. The alarming AQI levels are a stark reminder of the neglect of our environment and the lack of effective measures to curb pollution. The primary sources of pollution in Guwahati include vehicular emissions, construction activities, and industrial waste.
Additionally, the lack of effective measures to control these sources of pollution has exacerbated the situation. Prolonged exposure to poor air quality has severe health implications, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer. The elderly, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions are particularly vulnerable. The growing levels of pollution can also affect tourism, which is a key economic driver for the region.
It is imperative that the authorities take immediate action to address this issue. The implementation of stricter emission standards for vehicles, promotion of green spaces, and better waste management can help alleviate the situation. Additionally, public awareness campaigns about reducing pollution at the individual level can be highly effective in minimising the impact. I urge the citizens of Guwahati to join hands in demanding a cleaner and healthier environment. Let us work together to safeguard the health of our citizens and preserve the environment for future generations. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to act now.
Debashis Goswami
Gauhati University
Misuse of marital laws
I am writing to express my concern about the recent death of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, which has sparked a debate over the misuse of dowry and domestic violence laws in India. While these laws were created to protect women, it is crucial to acknowledge that men also face mental and emotional distress in marital disputes. Subhash’s tragic death highlights the growing issue of false allegations, which not only ruin lives but also drain financial and emotional resources. Men’s rights activists are right to call for better protection against such abuse. It is essential for the judicial system to become more gender-neutral and ensure that both men and women are equally protected from exploitation. Let’s not ignore the genuine suffering caused by false accusations. Reform in the legal system is needed to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of gender.
Jyotishman T. Saikia
(jyotishmanxaikia47@gmail.com)
Celebrating Christmas
Christmas is the most joyful time of year, knowing that Jesus Christ was born on that day. Christmas reminds us of so many things, like the crib, Santa Claus, and the singing of carols. On Christmas Eve, all churches are brightly illuminated. The scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger is beautifully recreated, both in churches and in homes. Groups of devoted singers go around singing carols in order to make the season of Christmas come alive. Among the various celebrations associated with Christmas, the sending of Christmas cards to friends and relatives has become a ritual. Another feature of the festival is the installing of Christmas trees. Little fir trees, or replicas of them, are decorated, and gifts are placed on them. Little children believe that the gifts placed on the trees have been placed by Santa Claus.
The tradition of Santa Claus originated in Belgium, where Saint Nicholas became the patron saint of children. Over the years, the word ‘San Nicholas’ has been turned into Santa Claus. Santa Claus is today known by various names in different parts of the world, like Joulupukki, Sinster Klass, Grandfather Frost, Papa Noel, Julemanden, and San Niklaw. The Christmas tree originated from the early mediaeval religious plays performed in churches and town squares of Europe during the season of Advent (i.e., a month before Christmas). On stage during the play, a tree was put up, and from it hung sweet red apples symbolising the Garden of Eden (Paradise). Soon people from all over the world began the custom of decorating a tree laden with gifts.
The origin of the Advent Wreath is found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic people who, during the cold December nights, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as a sign of hope in the coming spring. Placing lighted candles on the windowsill during Christmas originated in Ireland when the Christian religion was suppressed and priests were forced to go into hiding. It was then that the Irish families put a burning candle on their windowsill and left their doors unlatched, hoping that a priest would come to their house and celebrate the Christmas Mass with them.
The Holly, with its green leaves, its prickly thorns, and its red berries, suggested that the child born in the manger would wear a crown of thorns and shed drops of blood. The Poinsettia, with its bright, star-like flowers, is a reminder of the Star of Bethlehem. Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century saint, believed that helping others makes us richer in life.
The first Christmas card was designed by a 16-year-old boy in the year 1842. The first crib was prepared by Saint Francis of Assisi in the year 1223.
Jubel D’Cruz,
(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)