Abhorrence towards the Assamese language!: Letters to The Editor

The sign of abhorrence towards the Assamese language has been writ large in the face of some Assamese people and in Assam itself. This is the reality today! Blaming non-Assamese for showing any disregard to the Assamese language and culture would just backfire. The above refers to the oath-taking ceremony by our honourable MLAs, recently held on the premises of the sacred Assam Assembly hall. Around 10 Assamese MLAs took oath in Sanskrit. It is a new beginning to relegate the Assamese language to the background. In the same token, we expect that Assembly debates would be conducted in Sanskrit as well. All said and done; the actions of Assamese MLAs dismayed many of us badly.

Prafulla Dowarah,

Guwahati

Chaos regarding vaccine slot

Through this column of your esteemed daily, I would like to highlight the problem faced by the common people of the age group of 18-44 to register at Cowin, Umang App or Arogya Setu App for vaccination appointment against Coronavirus. People are facing problems while booking the slots as it begins after 4 pm and most of the time it doesn't. Nonetheless, it begins for a few minutes, but within 2-3 minute all the slots get booked and the minimum numbers of available slots are 5-10 in most of the centres.

I am also a victim of the situation. As the Government has made it compulsory for the 18-44 age group to register themselves on the Cowin portal and get an appointment for vaccination and officials declared that walk-ins will not be permitted initially to avoid 'chaos' at immunization centres once the inoculation drive opens up substantially. But in many centres, offline slot booking is also going on, about which still, many people are not aware. The common people have become anxious because of these circumstances as they are not able to get the slots for their near and dear ones.

So, I request the authority to look into the matter seriously, because it's necessary to let the people know that both the online and offline booking is going on. Or they must take strict action against those centres.

Priyanka Deka,

Noonmati,Guwahati.

The fifth columnist

The fifth columnist, also known as an enemy within the nation and in every country, stabs his or her nation from the back. Our nation is no exception. As India is filled with many fifth columnists, who in the guise of secularists, have been playing their part in degrading the image of the country before the world. In the current pandemic situation, the self-seekers with vested interest instead of cooperating with the Government of the day to fight against the Covid-19 are busily downplaying the efforts of the Government, doctors, nurses, armed forces and the common men who are selflessly contributing in whatever ways in their capacity to help the people, the Government and the nation. It pains the heart when we hear these third-grade fifth columnists coming before the cameras in satellite TV shows and behaving like quislings. These are professional protestors whom our Prime Minister referred to as 'Andolanjeevis' on the august floor of the parliament. The time has come for the people to identify these fifth columnists and act accordingly.

Himadri Chekanidhara,

Bihpuria.

WhatsApp Privacy

Nowadays people of all ages are dependent on WhatsApp for fast messaging and communication. Hence, WhatsApp should be more risk-free for people using it as social media. The Government and the company should regulate WhatsApp in such a manner that privacy should be ensured. This will not only prevent crimes but will also allow people to use WhatsApp confidently.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog

Equal access to vaccines

The Commonwealth countries have expressed deep concern over the stark gaps in the access and delivery of COVID vaccine doses and called for fair and transparent pricing for the vaccine. As per reports, only 0.3 per cent of the life-saving vaccine doses have been administered in 29 poor countries. Many low-middle income countries still do not have access to the much-needed vaccine supplies for the vulnerable populations in their countries. We should not leave the poor countries to their fate in this pandemic. Cooperation to develop a global immunization plan to deliver equal access to vaccines with extra medical supplies such as ventilators and medicines is the need of the hour.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

COVID-19 vaccines

The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India is running riots in Assam. Along with the other states of India, the north-eastern state has also initiated vaccination drives to curb the spread of this deadly virus. But, due to the limited supply of vaccine shots from both Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India, there is a massive shortage of the same. This is leading to a very slow vaccination drive, which is threatening the lives and health of the people of Assam. Besides, the State has also been reporting cases of the deadly black fungus, recently declared an epidemic by Rajasthan. Therefore, I urge the new Health Department of the State to solve the matter at the earliest and relieve the citizens of this real-life apocalypse. Saying so, I would also like to urge the Department to keep the vaccines free for everybody.

Anusmita Baishya,

Gauhati University