Mudslinging: Letters to THE EDITOR

Mudslinging

As the Assembly elections are nearing all the political parties are gearing up their political activities in order to woo the voters. It is definitely a good sign in democracy but certain comments aired by senior and junior leaders of various political parties are disappointing. Some veteran leaders of both the ruling party and the opposition parties are resorting to game of mudslinging up to the level of personal character assassination which the electorates simply despise. The high command of all political parties should issue restraint to their erring leaders. The voters expect issue based campaign and not interested in personal attacks.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Reopening of schools

It is indeed a good decision from the State Government to reopen schools after such a long gap.

Though apprehensions by parents cannot be ruled out at this crucial juncture owing to increase in COVID cases, it is indeed a good step.

And since it has not been made mandatory for all the students to be present, i.e. participation is voluntary, a section of students are surely going to benefit who might not have access to online modes.

But students will have to be on their guard all the time to keep the virus at bay. Slowly, the fear will lessen and students will return to their classes once they feel confident enough. The first step is important .i.e. to start the process.

Online classes can never match the offline classes as the enthusiasm attached to offline classes cannot be explained. Till now, students are in a virtual world and this opening of schools will provide them with the much needed jerk to start off.

Purabi Pathak Barua,

Guwahati.

Bamboo products

Tripura has brought an innovative step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. The State government launched bamboo cookies and bamboo-made honey bottles that will help in boosting immunity and creating a subsistence for the villagers. The cookies produced from the shoots of "Muli Bamboo" are rich with various vitamins and other wholesome ingredients and a healthy food product in this COVID-19 situation. This is an admirable move and supports the "Vocal for Local" movement which was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build a self-sustaining nation.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

Wastage of time and resources

Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, who is known for enacting dramas by his antics, again was in his true elements. During the last Autumn Assembly session, his behaviour inside and outside of the Assembly hall shocked the people. Inside the Assembly he spoke utter nonsense which dumbfounded people who were keenly following the proceedings of the Assembly. He wasted precious hours of the Assembly session and such wastage of time results in wastage of State exchequer. After he was ejected out of the Assembly, he again resorted to doing drama by opining irresponsible comments about COVID-19. He should be reminded that he is a public representative and any irresponsible comments about the global pandemic might cause serious damage to the people. In today's hi-tech world, by the click of a button people can unearth the truth and Rupjyoti Kurmi and his company's drama cannot fool the masses anymore.

Lanu Dutta Chowdhury,

GNB Road, Assam.

Russian vaccine

With over 51 lakh cases and around 84,000 deaths so far, India is bearing the brunt of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The much-awaited COVID peak seems nowhere in sight, while herd immunity is also a distant dream. No wonder the country is desperate to have a potent vaccine at the earliest. The tie up between Russian Direct Investment Fund and Indian Pharma giant Dr. Reddy's Laboratories to conduct Phase 3 trials of the Sputnik V vaccine has raised hopes that , if all goes well, all important shots will be available in India later this year. Subject to successful trials and the Indian drug regulator's approval, 10 crore doses will be supplied. Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials of Sputnik V have demonstrated 'no serious adverse effects and a stable immune response in participants', according to a research paper published earlier this month in The Lancet. However, these two phases had just 70-odd participants- too small a sample size to arrive at definitive conclusions. It's the result of Phase 3, in which thousands of people are involved to ascertain the efficacy and safety of the vaccine over a period of a few months that matters the most.

After the Indian Council of Medical Research caused a stir by setting an improbable deadline (August 15) for an indigenous vaccine, the government is understandably wary of jumping the gun. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in Rajya Sabha in last week that the coronavirus vaccine will be made available in the country by the start of next year. India is the manufacturing partner of Covishield, a vaccine candidate developed jointly by the University of Oxford's Jenner Institute and AstraZeneca. British-Swedish pharma major AstraZeneca had to suspend global trials recently after a participant in the UK showed a serious side-effect. However, Oxford has stated that the trial illnesses may not be due to the vaccine shot, even as trials have resumed in Britain, Brazil and South Africa. Under the circumstances, the Russian vaccine could be India's best bet to save millions of lives, provided the notorious Indian red tape is not allowed to impede the process.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Austerity measures

The Government of Assam withdrew most of the austerity measures announced on April 29, 2020 with effect from September 12. Some of them are ban on purchase of vehicles, and holding of conferences in 5 star hotels. However, foreign tours by officials will continue as per protocol until further order.

This is a welcome move of austerity measures by the Assam government in the present economic crisis.

Putul Sarma,

Biswanath Chariali.