Efficient students: Letters to The Editor

Efficient students

Since the students have been promoted to the higher streams based on the present stream minus the previous two years, therefore I would like to suggest to the authorities concerned to think off and develop such a mechanism which can justify a students' promotion to the next level. Can we think of such an assessment system by covering all the subjects he/she has covered to reach such a standard by providing equal marks plus-minus with a certain number along with an assignment/project presentation with direct/indirect communication? The system may help select/assess the students concerned for their next level of eligibility. Hope the authority concerned will give a thought on the matter of students' assessment.

BK Goswami,

Guwahati.

Drug menace

The news of drugs dealers and syndicates being caught by the police every day is a ray of hope. Drugs act as termites in our society by swaying a large number of youngsters.

The root cause of drug dependence is to be found out. One of the major causes is our people have ample amount of free time to laze. Most remain hooked to mobiles or TVs which can have a good or bad impact depending on the content seen.

Suitable employment generation is the need of the hour. Then only this drug menace can be weeded out. A healthy mind in a healthy body will enable that.

Purabi Pathak Barua,

Guwahati.

Take off to a dream career

The Airports Authority of India has decided to open eight new flying training institutes. Belagavi, Jalgaon, Kalaburagi, Khajuraho, and Lilabari all have flying academies under the liberalized Flying Training Organization policy. This will be developed to meet the flying training needs of cadets in India's bordering countries, as well as to make India a global flying training hub and prevent the emigration of Indian cadets to foreign countries. The five airports were chosen with consideration since they cause the least amount of disturbance due to weather and civil/military flight traffic. The project assists the Indian aviation training sector in becoming more self-sustaining. We hope that the academies would provide a fantastic opportunity for young people to pursue their flying dreams in the country. India will be able to meet the needs of pilots in the future.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

Olympics during pandemic

Ahead of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, several parts of Japan are being ravaged by coronavirus pandemic. Several cities and regions of the country, including Tokyo, have been in a state of emergency for weeks and it has been extended to June 20. Less than 5 per cent of the country's population has been given COVID-19 vaccine shots, the lowest vaccination rate among the world's rich countries. Associations of physicians have issued a stern warning that the event during which thousands of athletes, delegates and media from across the world would land in Japan, could turn into a super spreader. There's the worry that COVID-19 variants could wreak havoc in the densely populated country. The Japanese government too doesn't want to cancel or postpone the event as it has already spent over $15.4 billion to organize the Olympics, and cancellation would mean a dead loss of this sum. The government and the organizers must note that, if the games are held and there is a steep rise in infections, the economic loss could be greater.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Celebrating pride month

June marks the 51st celebration of Pride Month - a time when millions of people come together in support of the LGBTQ community. Every year, during June, the LGBTQ community celebrates in several ways. Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognizing the influence LGBTQ people have had around the world. The rainbow flag goes back to 1978, reflects the diversity of the LGBTQ community. The artist Gilbert Baker designed the first rainbow flag. Baker saw the rainbow as a natural flag from the sky, as he adopted eight colours for the stripes, each colour with its meaning (hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic/art, indigo for harmony and violet for spirit).

Why was June chosen? This is because it is when the Stonewall Riots took place, way back in 1969, as well as being a month-long celebration. Pride month is also an opportunity to peacefully protest and raise political awareness of current issues facing the community. Parades are a prominent feature of Pride month, and there are many street parties, community events, poetry readings, public speaking, street festivals and educational sessions all of which are covered by mainstream media and attracting millions of participants.

The New York Pride Parade is one of the largest and most well-known parades to take place, with an estimated 500,000 people participating in it by the time it had reached its 25th anniversary.

Pride Month is so important because it marks the start of huge change within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the wider societal implications. Although attitudes and injustice remain, we have come a long way since the riots of 1969 and by continuing in this long-standing tradition we continue to raise awareness, improve the attitudes of society and encourage inclusiveness.

Madhuparna Mitra,

Guwahati.

Clinical trials of Covaxin on children

The famous adage 'Humare baccho ki zindagi ke saath koi khilwad nahi hona chahiye' holds utmost significance whenever it comes to a child's education & health. Considering the fact, playing the game of probability on children belonging to the 2-18 age group by allowing Phase II/III clinical trials of Covaxin on them can turn out to be highly fatal for them in their future, with the children experiencing acute or severe mental, physical and emotional effects.

No doubt, vaccination has proved out to be highly effective in fighting the deadly coronavirus. But, the fact that some adults have suffered complications post-vaccination cannot be ruled out. So, our priority at present times should be to vaccinate the adults in a systematic and time-bound manner so that the protective shield against the unknown enemy is developed at the earliest.

Keeping in tune with Sanjeev Kumar's words (petitioner seeking stay on Phase II/III clinical trials of Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine on 2-18 years age group) in the Delhi HC, I would request the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) to withdraw the permission given to Bharat Biotech to conduct clinical trials of Covaxin on the children; so that the confusion and anxiety among children and their parents regarding the same are put to an end.

Partha Pratim Duarah,

Nazira

The second wave

By the blessings of God, the curve of the second wave of coronavirus in the State is heading towards the south pole. Unfortunately, the champions of the anti-CAA movement in the State — Dr Hiren Gohain, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Ajit Bhuyan, veteran leaders of the AASU are flexing their muscles to begin the second wave of anti-CAA movement after the Centre has decided to give citizenship to people of six faiths in five States of the country. This time we have to wait and see how much response they get from the people as much water has flown through the mighty Brahmaputra between the first wave and the proposed second one. One won't be surprised if the famous saying of 'once bitten twice shy' is followed by the people.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Lack of parking space in Bijoynagar

Lack of parking is one of the major problems at Bijoynagar, the commercial hub of South Kamrup. People from all over South Kamrup come daily to Bijoynagar to sell various goods. The lack of parking place for bicycles, scooters, e-rickshaws, passenger buses, freight trucks and private four-wheelers has created a lot of hassle in the long run. As a result, in addition to frequent accidents, it is unfortunate that various types of theft are also taking place. Vehicles are often seen as a problem for the local police. Hemang Thakuriya, MLA of Palasbari constituency and the departmental authorities of the Government of Assam are requested to take strong action in this regard at the earliest.

Abhijit Kalita,

Palasbari (Hudumpur).