A lot of street vendors have flooded the footpaths and roadsides of Guwahati, making life extremely difficult and hazardous for the public in general. The street vendors are unauthorized to carry out business activities, but when these are carried out under the patronage of the authorities, it is extremely unpalatable and immoral. Pan Bazar, Lal Ganesh, Fancy Bazar, Ganeshguri, Paltan Bazar, etc areas are full of street vendors. These vendors are protected by the very authorities who are supposed to regulate and make life better for an ordinary citizen. Roadside vendors, for example in the Fancy Bazar area, say that they pay Rs. 10 to the police, Rs. 20 to the GMC, and Rs. 20 to sweepers, on a daily basis. It is difficult to believe that those in power are unaware of these activities when an ordinary citizen is in the know of it.
Call it protection money, mafiaraj or syndicateraj, the patronage of the power hungry is making Guwahati a difficult place to live in. Obviously, these are going to spread to other parts of the State, if haven't spread already.
Vox populi.
Hima Latest Sensation and India's Pride
Waving the tricolour high above with both hands with the ethnic Asomiya gamosa proudly wrapped around her neck is the trademark picture of the Assamese fighter whenever she earns a medal for India in any international meet.
Her gesture proves that there lies no contradiction in being an Assamese as well as Indian. She is an Assamese by ethnicity and an Indian by nationality. Both are 100% or equally true. Statements like “I am only an Indian” or “I am at first an Indian, then an Assamese/ Bengali/Tamil/Gujarati/Punjabi” might fetch few “liberal” claps; but it simply bears no meaning.
Pride towards one’s own ethnic roots and work for the country can both happen simultaneously as brilliantly portrayed by the golden Asomiya girl of the poorest of poor vintage.
Kajal Chatterjee,
Peerless Nagar,
Kolkata-114.