Proud and sad Indian: Letters To The Editor

Proud and sad Indian

My head goes high when I hear that our bravehearts are breaking the jaws of our arch enemies in the frontiers and also when our Men in Blue (Cricket and Hockey teams) do wonders in the field against their adversary. At the same time, I hang my head in shame when I see our elected representatives or correctly the politicians stooping low without concerning about the masses just to be in power.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Corruption in Education department

Like fish the Education Department of Assam has also decayed from its head. The recent arrest of the Inspector of Schools of Nalbari district for taking bribe from a person has proved that the Chief Minister's roar of zero tolerance against corruption is useless. Corruption is happening in almost every department and it is in full force in the Education department. Whether it is in director office or in Inspector of Schools' office, a single paper never moves automatically until bribe is given to the person concerned. From the peon to the boss it has become a customary habit to offer something to them. All the heads of the institutions experience this during the submission of utilization certificate of different government funds but they remain dumb fearing departmental action against them. Of course, some heads of institutions are also corrupt but that doesn't mean that all should be bound in the same bundle. Shame to the teachers' organizations who are acting like Dhritarastra after seeing all these mischievous deeds. They should come forward to protest against the corruption instead of flattering the blood suckers of the nation. The government should also take stern action against the corrupt officials by confiscating their properties and sending them to confinement. The corrupt officials should not be given shelter under political umbrella; otherwise the nation will have to shed tears year after year.

Harsha Mohan Sarma,

Chamata, Nalbari

Tarun Gogoi government

Every leader of any political party must see that his soft-hearted personality is not taken advance of by any party workers under him. These acts of unpopular activities by workers only tarnish the image of reputed party leaders. This is in reference to our former Chief Minister late Tarun Gogoi, who was a stalwart in Assam's political arena. He took over the leadership in our State after the fall off AGP government, and managed to revive the financial and public insecurity prevailing in the State. He was an honest and dynamic leader. But it was quite unfortunate that his nature of work slightly deviated from the original path and most of the corrupt ministers easily took advantage of his honesty and grabbed the situation to loot public money. During that period the general public could feel that corruption became the order of the day. Only for this reason the people of the State opted for a change and thereby the BJP came to power. However, his contribution to our State politics will be remembered and admired by all. May his soul rest in peace.

Dr P.C. Sarmah,

Jorhat.

Beware of honey trap

A study sample of select Indian brands of honey by the Centre of Science and Environment that went through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy in Germany has shown that they are liberally adulterated with cheap sugar syrup, imported from China. Indian food regulator FSSAI has raised some questions over the tests, while the firms have denied these claims. However, the controversy raises quality concerns over a product that is widely used as an immunity booster and prophylactic, more so in the context of COVID-19. The process of beekeeping, from the farm to the processing stage, needs to be reformed, if India is serious about expanding the consumption and export of honey. Bees are contaminated not only by the use of sugar syrup in processing but also through pesticide and antibiotics use. India must raise its bar on testing, apply the best technologies, and integrate beekeeping with organic farming initiatives, which will bolster the economic viability of the latter.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Back to streets

The anti-CAA protests in the early part of the year and COVID-19 pandemic after that entirely destroyed the academic atmosphere in the State. Thanks to the Almighty, we could feel that the number of corona-infected cases in the State has come down and academic environment is trying to cripple back to normalcy. One year of academic loss is humongous for the students and that should be well understood by the State's premium students' body. But by going with the latest developments it is unfortunate that the AASU leadership is refusing to create a convenient academic ambience for the students. Now, that the assembly elections are round the corner, the over-aged leaders of the AASU is again asking the student fraternity to join the anti-CAA agitations across the State. We have all seen what the State gained in general from last year's andolans/dharnas. The main leaders who watched the protests from safe distance after provoking the young ones to jump into the firing zone, later on fulfilled their personal agendas. One veteran journalist got him elevated as a Rajya Sabha MP, a few musicians and singers joined some political parties and some others floated two regional political parties. It is the students, traders, businessmen, daily-wage earners who suffered the most. The leaders (best be called as senior citizens) of various local unions/associations are back to their favourite business of hitting the streets in the name of protests/rallies/agitations/andolans to earn quick bucks in the name of donations.

Lanu Dutta Chowdhury,

Guwahati

Cattle insurance

The Madhya Pradesh government has launched 'Pashu Dhan Bima Yojana' offering insurance cover to local breed cattle owned by farmers. This will help them in mitigating the loss they suffer due to the death of cattle. The scheme has been implemented across all the districts and the cattle, including the milch ones, will be covered under it. Hope that the scheme will benefit maximum farmers and encourage them to adopt animal husbandry as a livelihood on a big scale.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)