Inspection bungalow of Jeypore: Letters To The Editor

Recently I have come across a piece of news (Sky News Assam WWW.facebook.com/watch/?v=195350769078269) that due to the intervention of Late Homen Borgohain, the Inspection Bungalow of Jeypore Forest Department, built by the British, was saved from demolition. For this, I express my thankfulness to the late Borgohain. I have become so nostalgic after knowing about this, because in this beautiful bungalow, on the bank of Dehing River, I stayed with my beloved parents and sisters for three months, from December 1968 till February 1969. My father Mohammed Islam was then Ranger, Assam Forest Service, later on, he became Assistant Conservator of Forest. My mother Meherun Nissa was a teacher in the Jorhat Govt. Girls' M.E. School. Mohammed Islam was transferred to Jeypore. At that time the Ranger's quarters was not vacant, and therefore, we stayed in the Inspection bungalow. I studied and passed class III from the Jeypore Primary School and class IV and class V from the Jeypore High School. The teachers of these schools were very good and sincere. I learnt so much from them. I spent the best period of my childhood in Jeypore.

The memorable time I spent in the bungalow and also in Jeypore is so unforgettable that I visited Jeypore with my family in 2006 and met some of my friends and respected teachers. I also spent some time in the Inspection bungalow.

Once again, I thank the late Homen Borgohain as because of him the Inspection bungalow of Jeypore Forest Department, stands high till today and for many more years to come.

Dr Shakira S Islam,

Shillong.

Speed up vaccine production

Amid the second wave of COVID-19, we can no longer afford to slow down the vaccination drive. We must identify the means to speed up the process and production, making it available all over the country. It also needs to be ensured that people taking the first dose are given the second. They will remain vulnerable even after a few days of the second dose.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Fail to make examination policy

The sudden appearance of COVID-19 in the beginning months of 2020 in India as well as in Assam created a chaotic situation in the education sector. Due to the rising COVID situation, some of the examinations could not be conducted in due time and the students were promoted to the upper classes by making some unconvincing rules. Most of the students were not satisfied with their results but they had no other alternative ways except to accept the results blindly fearing the loss of a valuable year. The students have lost their spirits and concentration on their studies and the brilliant ones got frustrated. During this time various examination boards spent their time sitting idle instead of going deeper into the serious students' future-related issues. Perhaps they thought that corona has gone forever. The various boards got one year time to make new policies to promote the students to the upper classes. But it seemed that they were not determined enough to solve the students' problems heartily. Instead, they were busy flattering the concerned Minister. They could have brought the idea from Canada how to stop spoiling students' academic knowledge and career. Now they are talking about conducting the examinations of three or four subjects out of five or six subjects. It is also learnt that the students can appear in any three or four subjects according to their wishes and the highest number he/she achieves out of these subjects will be added to the rest of the subjects he/she is supposed not to appear. It will be quite ridiculous as most of the students will select the option of comparatively easy subjects. Again it will harm the brilliant students who are good in Mathematics, Science and English. So, if this pandemic situation goes like this, what will the boards do next year? It is a matter of serious concern and it is high time various boards reached some consensus and world-class competitive education policy.

Harsha Mohan Sarma,

Chamata, Nalbari.

PETA's ploy exposed

PETA (People for Ethical Treatment to Animals), in a recent letter, requested India's largest dairy brand Amul to adopt vegan milk. Now, these foreign-funded NGOs who have ulterior motives are trying to tarnish the image of the Indian brand. There is a huge conspiracy by many NGOs similar to PETA working tirelessly to tarnish the image of various Indian brands. A vegan product is a practice of avoiding animal products that include dairy products. The diet consists of plants like nuts, fruits, vegetables, grains etc. Vegan milk is produced artificially by using the above products in combination with a few other chemicals. Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited which owns the Amul is 75 years old and benefits around 100 million poor farmers. According to PETA, Amul should hand over their establishment to some MNCs to mint money and deprive the local ones. It is for information to all that Amul has a turnover of Rs 52,000 crore. Their contribution to our economy is immense. I thank MD Amul R S Sodhi for giving a befitting reply to PETA.

Similarly, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is trying its level best to tarnish the image of Patanjali. The IMA is an NGO created by Christian missionaries during British rule. The primary job of the IMA is to connect Christian doctors (of western countries) with poor people of India on the pretext of medical aid but their sole objective is to preach their religion. The Medical Council of India (MCI) is the constitutional body created and recognized by the Government of India. In the coming days, we might see many such NGOs fighting against Indian brands in many ways to create confusion and doubt over our products.

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.

The abduction and release of ONGC employees have created a positive atmosphere between ULFA (Independent) and the government. The ULFA (I) led by Paresh Barua abducted three ONGC workers on April 21. Two of the abductees were rescued by the Army and security forces. However, the third abducted employee, Ritul Saikia, was in the custody of ULFA (I). It is pertinent to note that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma played a pivotal role in freeing Ritul Saikia from the custody of ULFA (I). Accordingly, Sarma promised the ULFA (I) that he would sincerely consider fulfilling their demands. One of the main demands of the ONGC was the release of the abducted employee. The ULFA (I) has also demanded that oil companies should work or invest in the development of Assam. ULFA (I) chief Paresh Barua has lauded the positive role and initiative of the Chief Minister. Meanwhile, Barua has declared a unilateral ceasefire for three months. The Chief Minister also welcomed the announcement of the ULFA (I) and appreciated it with positive support.

It is to be noted that DGP (Assam) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta made a very important comment in this regard. DGP Mahanta has said that the Assam Police has not contributed to the safe release of Ritul Saikia. It is clear from this remark that the Chief Minister was more concerned with humbly calling for the release of the abducted ONGC employee instead of launching a military operation against the ULFA (I). Sarma's sincere call to the ULFA (I) was a sign of timely consideration and excellent strategy at a critical time. The three-month unilateral declaration of the ceasefire by the ULFA (I) and the release of the abducted ONGC staff have brought peace to the State.

Now there is a desirable and positive atmosphere between the ULFA (I) and the State government. The CM is the only one who has contributed to this environment. We hope that the government will show goodwill towards the demands of the ULFA (I). This will, of course, pave the way for formal peace talks between the ULFA (I) and the Government.

Heramba Nath,

Kamrup.

Three compulsions

The coronavirus pandemic has ripped apart the most powerful and developed countries in the world. The government of countries like the USA, Russia, France, England, Italy, Spain, Germany, Japan, China kneeled. Our country is naturally not given an exemption by the dreaded virus as we are experiencing the brutality of the virus on the human body. But in due course of time, the above-named countries have gradually managed to tide over the situation (of course they are not over the safety zone yet). Now, why is India taking a lot of time to control the pandemic? The primary reason is that still now the SOPs and COVID protocols are not fully followed by a huge chunk of people. There are three other compulsions too.

1. Politics: The professional protestors are encouraged by a section of political leaders to act as super spreader even during this crucial period. The politicians are never shy away from the game of dirty politics.

2. Religion: People refuse to be separated from religious rituals and norms just what we witnessed in Kumbh Mela.

3. Constitutional Compulsion: The elections are mandatory and in the run-up to the voting day thousands and thousands of people queue up or stack up to hear their favourite political leaders thus throwing all the laid down COVID protocols to the dustbins.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Office work amid COVID-19

The loss of working days in the Government offices has been established in the COVID years 2020/2021. This is inevitable considering the pandemic situation. However, if this COVID-19 situation exists during the coming days, I think it will be wise if we, the Government employees both State and Central, forego the coming notified holidays except Sundays. Also, in the coming years, we may follow the holiday list as per the Banks. I may be allowed to point out that people of this NE region are availing the best morning hours of these days of the lockdown schedule, as the Sun sets early in the NE region.

It is also to be noted that we are not getting the benefit of 'Time Zone' against the existing demand of the NE people. The Government may also evaluate the practice of work from home to needy employees to encourage better work culture.

Prasanta Baruah,

Guwahati.

Railways retiring rooms

The IRCTC's retiring room booking website displays the list of railway stations with the facility of online bookings. A passenger with a confirmed ticket can book retiring rooms online for up to 48 hours transit stay in the notified retiring rooms across the Indian Railway network. However, the IRCTC retiring rooms booking website does not provide any details related to the various types of accommodation available, amenities, facilities, etc provided in the retiring rooms for the benefit of transit passengers.

The same details should otherwise be made available with details related to facilities and type of accommodation provided in all the retiring rooms across the Indian Railway network for online booking. Non-availability of status details thus causes inconvenience to many passengers intending for an overnight stay at retiring rooms through online booking mode.

Hence the railway authorities are requested to look into the above suggestion and consider the same for implementation in the best interest of passenger comfort and ensure transparency in accommodation allocation to the rail transit passengers.

Varun Dambal,

Bangalore.

Celebrating No Tobacco Day

The No Tobacco Day was once again highlighted in media on May 31. But unfortunately, the tobacco lobby in India is so strong that it even managed a super-powered Group of Ministers in the earlier UPA regime to dilute area and design pictorial warnings on cigarette packs against the wishes of the then Union Health Minister Dr A Ramadoss and other senior officials of Union Health ministry. The proportion of pictorial warning area on cigarette packs in India is the lowest in the world with Brazil even having 100 per cent area on both front and back panels of cigarette packs. Pictorial warnings, bigger or stringent are useless and ineffective for smokers.

The only remedy for effectively curbing smoking is to follow sensible countries like Bhutan and Ireland by imposing a complete ban on the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the country. Even family members of smokers will support such a bold step because it is the family which suffers from the death of persons caused by smoking. Smoking is an addiction that started in fashion at a young age when initial puffs even cause discomfort. Revenue loss from the ban on cigarettes will be more than compensated by funds saved on tobacco-related diseases. If self-regulation is the policy to check human evils, then Union Government should withdraw attempt-to-suicide from the Indian Penal Code. Likewise using helmets by scooterists should also be made self-regulatory rather than being forced as compulsory.

A shocking statement by YC Deveshwar, chief of leading cigarette manufacturing company ITC is also recalled that demand for imposing restrictions on cigarettes in India is at the behest of foreign companies through some Indian Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) so that foreign cigarette manufacturers could smuggle imported cigarettes in India. He was also critical of raising taxes on cigarettes for the same reason. Significantly, our government committed a great disservice to the nation by honouring this cigarette advocate with Padma Bhushan in the year 2011.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

Delhi.