Letters to The Editor

The US needs to accord number one priority to China, instead of engaging one-upmanship with Russia. Engaging it with the Quad will be more fruitful. China's line of action is clear. It does not believe in any rules-based international order, instead it intends to follow its own arrogant and expansionist policy, blatantly. Cheap Chinese electronic goods have glutted the markets in the US, Europe, India and many other countries. This is the bitter truth. The topmost item on the agenda should be to beat China in this sector. India's "Aatmanirbhar" and "Make in India" programmes are right steps, but these should not end up simply as a political rhetoric.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Chronic diseases

Through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the authorities regarding the rise in major health issues like cancer, diabetes, chronic artery diseases etc. The excessive use of insecticides and pesticides in food products is leading to the rise in such chronic diseases. Therefore, through your esteemed daily I would like to urge the concerned authorities to take some tangible steps in this regard.

Rimjhim Das,

Guwahati.

Toll gate fees

It is reported that the authority concerned has decided to hike the structure of the fees at the toll gates of Assam with effect from April 1, 2021. We feel that the decision of increasing toll gate charges in Assam is unjustified. The toll gate fee for a light vehicle should be around Rs 50, and for a heavy vehicle it should be around Rs 200. Everybody knows that the government needs revenue to meet its expenditure. However, the government should give a thought about the burden that taxes cause to the general public.

Maheswar Deka,

Rangia.

Parking menace

Through your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned and responsible citizens of Guwahati to the parking of vehicles on either side of roads. Roadside parking of vehicles causes too much road blockages, leading to traffic jams. At the same time, roads get narrower. Such narrow roads lead to increase in road accidents. Parking of vehicles according to one's personal convenience causes problems for other citizens.

The government has provided us designated parking lots where the public should park their vehicles at a nominal fee. Such a practice does not cause traffic jams.

Another important thing we should keep in mind is that if we are driving alone, we should prefer two-wheelers to four wheelers. This practice reduces air pollution, besides leaving us more space while parking. The authorities concerned must take strict action against roadside parking of vehicles.

Suraj Das Boro,

Guwahati.

COVID-19 transmission

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major threat to global health and economy, and is still an ongoing emergency. The case load and deaths are gradually mounting all over India, especially over the past few weeks. But still we can see general public without masks. They don't maintain social distance as well. Even though the Assam government made wearing of masks mandatory from 20th March, 2021 we find lots of general public not following the rules and restrictions. During the ongoing Assam Assembly Election, political leaders are addressing political rallies and meetings. Those who join these rallies and meetings are violating COVID protocols, leading to the transmission of the disease.

Even the passengers travelling in local city buses in metropolitan cities like Guwahati are breaking the rules and restrictions by not wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

Bhaskar Nath,

Guwahati.

Traffic snarls

Through this column of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of Guwahati Traffic Police towards the traffic snarls which the citizens have been facing for the past few days in the Maligaon area in Guwahati. Due to the heavy traffic flow, ambulances are unable to reach their destinations on time. A few weeks ago an ambulance couldn't reach the spot where an accident took place. At last, the people around the spot took the victim to the hospital. Also, employees and students are unable to reach their respective destinations on time.

It will be helpful if the traffic police take some tangible steps to minimize the traffic or help the ambulances reach their destinations on time.

Himadri Kalita,

Guwahati.

Rising prices

Prices of various goods are increasing day by day. The consumers or the common people are facing a lot of problems. They face difficulties while buying groceries, vegetables etc. These are essential items for every household. Thus, the government should look into the matter and control the surging prices.

Rituparna Borah,

Guwahati.

Authentic entrepreneurs

Street vendors are authentic entrepreneurs who sell goods and services on streets without any support from the government or other organizations. They don't have permanent stalls so they sit on streets all day long to earn their living. These unorganized workers contribute to the economic and social conditions of the country. Come rain, come shine, they work hard with patience and perseverance everyday to earn their food and money. They work without adopting any duplicate methods to trick people, yet they are always the victims in bargaining.

Street vendors create their own business, make their income and live their own way of life as independent, brave and self-reliant entrepreneurs.

Padmini Das,

Guwahati.

True face of Ajmal

Soon after the conclusion of the first phase of the Assam Assembly poll, AIUDF president and Dhubri MP Badruddin Ajmal has openly declared that if the Congress and the AIUDF alliance gets the mandate the entire power would be with him (Badruddin Ajmal). Before the first phase of the poll, the Congress did say that Ajmal wouldn't be the Chief Ministerial face of the alliance. Now in the second and the third phases, Ajmal knows well that the minority people (especially the Bengali-speaking Muslims) will play a crucial role. This is the real face of the saviour of illegal immigrants now settled in Assam. Another aspect which will be seen in the remaining phases is high turnout in minority-dominated constituencies.

Spondon Hazuri,

Biswanath Chariali.

Reckless two-wheelers

Road traffic is increasing rapidly in Guwahati. With the increase in number of people buying two-wheelers, the number of reckless drivers has also increased. I met with an accident last year because of a boy who was driving his bike recklessly at a very high speed. It is even seen that many of such drivers do not have a driving licence, or any other relevant documents. Many of such drivers get away easily because of lack of proper checking. I feel that the authorities concerned should think of establishing daily random traffic checkpoints inside the city.

Tushar Bhuyan,

Guwahati.

Fruit juice shops

Through this column of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of those who are willing to start new businesses in Assam. It is seen that there are a large number of tea stalls, hotels, etc., for different food items in all the places. However, there is need for organized shops that sell fresh fruit juice taking care of hygiene. There are a few shops, but still there is scope in this field. We all know that fruits are quite essential for our bodies. In this context, as an example, we can mention sugarcane juice. Since the summer season is on the threshold, such shops will be quite helpful to the society.

Satter Rohman,

Dibrugarh

State engineer honoured

The Indian Society for Hydraulics (ISH) has conferred the prestigious ISH Life Time Achievement Award for the year 2020 to Dr. Nayan Sharma. I cannot but mention his achievement as he was my colleague in the Irrigation Department, Assam. He was a very friendly person. Most of critical jobs, including design of hydraulic structures, were done by him. He was a very hard worker.

Putul Sarma,

Biswanath Chariali.