Stop tamasha: Letters To The Editor

Stop tamasha

The word 'Jajabor' meaning nomad in Assamese is very much applicable to one and only Rahul Gandhi. As like nomads wander from one place to another without any permanent address, Rahul Gandhi keeps on harping on the government without any facts and figures, I mean he surfaces without doing any homework. This is not new development as he has been doing it for decades now. His anti-government stance in regards to Rafale deal, scrapping of Article 370, mocking Prime Minister by some silly names, anti-CAA and the latest one in regards to farm bills have all backfired. He has indeed become a butt of jokes. Democracy is incomplete without strong opposition and in this regard we have been failed miserably by the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. People have started to take his lectures, interviews, dialogues as comedy shows. For God's sake please stop this tamasha as we are all fed up with his antics. Time for someone competent to lead but alas! Things look very bleak in near future.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,

Ambari, Guwahati.

Semblance of corruption probe

It is seen that after coming into light of every corruption case, the government gives a customary order to some investigating agencies to probe the matter. Sometimes it is done by CID or CBI and sometimes it is by some retired judges of various courts and sometimes it is done by the department concerned itself. At first the investigation speeds up with the pressure of media catching small fishes of corruption; but as the time progresses and when it is the time of big fishes, the investigation slows up automatically. Because the big fishes of corruption always take shelter under the ruling party's umbrella. For example the scandal of APSC - the investigation went on right direction; but when the ruling party's MLA's kiths' names came into focus, the investigators took a step back with the political pressure. The big fish of this corruption Rakesh Paul is still in jail but many other big fishes that compelled him to do so are moving under daylight showing their chests. Moreover, the government has failed to show courage to confiscate the illegal properties of Paul. Similarly in case of recent question paper leakage case of police SI examination, the small fishes are in hand but the big fishes will escape with the help of political power. People have begun to speculate that this investigation will also be the same like APSC probe. The investigating agencies should bring the corrupted politicians whether he or she may be MLA or Minister under scrutiny and if found guilty should be sent to jail. Then the investigating agencies will get back faith from common people. Let not spare a single corrupted person without giving any punishment.

Harsha Mohan Sarma,

Nalbari.

Timely Nobel for work on another virus

There was special interest in the Nobel Prize in medicine this year because the whole world is in the grip of a medical crisis created by COVID-19 and scientists and researchers everywhere are making their best efforts to tackle the challenge. Therefore, the award of the prize to a British and two American scientists for their contributions to identifying and tackling a virus, though very different from the coronavirus pandemic, would be considered particularly relevant and appropriate. The prize has been awarded to US scientists Harvey J Alter and Charles M Rice and British virologist Michael Houghton working in Canada for their joint discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, a major cause of liver disease. The Nobel committee said that their discovery has now made it possible to conduct highly sensitive blood tests which helped to eliminate Hepatitis, transmitted through blood, in many parts of the world. The three scientists' discoveries also helped in the development of antiviral drugs directed at Hepatitis C and raised hopes of eradicating the virus from the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Hepatitis C affects more than 70 million people and kills 400,000 a year. Millions of lives have been saved by the discoveries of the scientists and the work done on the basis of their findings. It is to be noted that the three scientists worked separately and independently and made discoveries which were complementary, with one building on the other. Alter's team found that a virus other than those which caused Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B existed and caused infections; Houghton's team isolated and identified it. The discoveries led to a greater understanding of the virus and its behaviour.

While the award has been welcomed as a timely recognition of an important medical breakthrough, it is also likely to lead to fresh debates over a much discussed issue about the Nobel Prize. No one disputes the merit of the award, but it has again drawn attention to the Nobel committee's rule that limits the award to three scientists, though there are more researchers involved in the work. Houghton had in 2013 rejected an important award for his work because he said it had excluded two of his teammates who had contributed to his discovery. He has accepted the prize now but said that future award committee should be recognize larger groups of scientists. This is important because most modern scientific research is a team effort. The contributions of all of them need to be recognized when the work gets recognition.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog

Insincerity and ignorance of people towards hazards of COVID-19

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned towards the insincere and ignorant attitude of people, especially that of the officials, who are assigned the responsibility to look after the control of the COVID-19 situation.

When the first lockdown was imposed in March, 2020, it was a relief to witness the duty carried out by the officials, especially the police and health workers to control the spread of the pandemic. They were held in high regard as they were the symbolic of responsible and dedicated citizens of the country. But, as the days rolled by, the many rules and regulations were lifted, along with it there was the death of the dedication and sincerity of the people. Along with the duty of the common folk, it is also the duty of the police and Health department to make sure that the COVID-19 protocols, especially that of social distancing and mask wearing are to be maintained; but it has come to light that these departments aren't carrying out their duty sincerely. People are going out and around without masks and proper sanitization facilities aren't even provided. Social distancing has become a distant cry. Mass gathering of people in towns and cities are a daily sight. No wonder that the curve has not flattened yet. Moreover, schools and colleges are awaited to reopen in November, it has become a risk for the people to send their wards to their respective educational institutions as no such laws are maintained which ensures safety.

Highlighting the many common scenarios in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has the world acquired immunity against the virus that the laws have loosened? Definitely, no. This is because of the ignorance of the people, educated and uneducated alike that the situation has worsened. As for solutions, it would be very much helpful if the law enforcement authorities are given the more power and responsibility to check that the common folks are abiding by the laws. Mask wearing must be made compulsory and those who do not follow the instructions should be heavily fined. It is everyone's duty to make sure that their ignorance does not cost the lives of the innocent. Hence, I would be very much obliged and grateful, if the authorities concerned look into the matter immediately and effectively.

Zeehan Rahman Hazarika,

Jorhat.

Importance of games & sports

I am writing to your esteemed self to share my views on importance of sports & games with people. It plays a vital role in many types of development and growth, including discipline, especially of children. Sports like cricket, football, volleyball, kabaddi, athletics have huge benefits. It improves academic performance and helps us to improve team spirit, problem-solving skills, reducing stress/depression, boost immunity system and somehow gives us relaxation from our heavy academic schedule.

However, the unfortunate thing is that games and sports are dwindling from our life. They are replaced by the digital and virtual world. We often see that the modern generation always stick to the digital or virtual world including virtual games, social media and so on. As a consequence this generation is facing many health related issues, they become physically very weak. Moreover, they have become weak in the other aspects of overall health, gradually affecting their mental health as well. Social media, virtual games are not bad. Investing 1 to 2 hours daily in sports or physical games is a must just to maintain a good physique and good health.

Through the column of your esteemed daily I want to appeal to the parents, teachers and Government authorities to make policies and strategies to encourage children towards sports and games. Schools and government should give enough facilities to the children in sports to make them physically fit and mentally strong.

Kaustav Deka,

Cotton University, Guwahati