Letters to the Editor

Pan-masala addiction and supari smuggling

Assam police feel that the rising addiction to pan-masala (gutkha) is a precursor to the increasing supari (betel nut) smuggling from Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand etc., to India via Assam. The rising demand for pan-masala makes the matching supply of supari essential. Thus supari smugglers have got a lucrative market. (The Sentinel report on November 29, 2022).

If this news report has anything to go by, the crux of the menace (betel nut smuggling) lies in the improper implementation of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. A cascading effect of the shoddy implementation of this Act is the rise in the smuggling of betel nuts to Northeast India through Myanmar. The failure to the implementation of an Act has far-reaching ramifications. And the rise in the smuggling of supari in Northeast India is an example.

According to police sources, smuggled supari is qualitatively better than local products. The smugglers can sell smuggled supari at cheaper rates as they dodge customs or import duties. Had they brought supari from Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand etc., legally, they would have charged 300 times more than what they charge now. This news report is also a pointer to the 'failure of the Department of Customs' to check the entry of smuggled goods into the region. It is possible because the smuggling network has its tentacles in Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Assam. Though security forces seize smuggled supari leading to the arrest of people involved frequently, the kingpins continue to give them the slip. The frequent seizure of smuggled supari in Assam proves beyond doubt that the masters of the racket are active and at large. According to police sources (See The Sentinel report), smuggled supari from Myanmar enters Manipur and Mizoram and then comes to Meghalaya to go to the rest of India through Assam. Besides big trucks, the smugglers use small vehicles, including private four-wheeler cars. The small vehicles take to rural roads instead of the main roads to give security personnel the slip. Some smuggled supari go to the rest of India by train from Dimapur via Assam.

Topo Singha,

Milan Nagar, Barbari, Guwahati

Demise of Lakshmi

The death of the 32-year-old elephant Lakshmi of the famous Sri Manakula Vinayagar temple in the Union Territory of Puducherry or Pondicherry a few days ago has left the localities in tears. No hyperbole, the pachyderm, which served in the temple for over two decades, was considered no less than a member among the families in the town, and it had created a profound impact with her imposing presence in the temple and through her courtly and friendly behaviour with the devotees over the years. Little wonder she was accorded a divine status by them. It was a rare sight that thousands gathered in Puducherry to take part in the funeral of tusker Lakshmi and bid an emotional farewell to her. Lakshmi's death has shown that the kind of bonding that elephants have towards human beings is incredibly great and the emotional attachment they form with us may rival our own.

There is much that we, humans, can learn from the family traits of elephants. Among big animals, elephants have the largest brain, which is three times heavier than the human brain. No wonder then that elephants have attracted the admiration and curiosity of human beings for thousands of years.

Ranganathan Sivakumar,

Madipakkam, Chennai - 600091

Teachers should be of good character

It is imperative that teachers, priests of knowledge, be of good character. It takes practice to become a teacher of such qualities. The best way to keep character pure is to try to exercise restraint which helps a person to establish himself as a good person. Restraint helps shape a person's personality. Such people can walk with their heads held high in society. In general, teachers should be social. They should continue to strive to become role models in society. There should be some exemplary qualities in the personality, such as generosity, secularism, polite behaviour, and so on. In this context, I would like to mention that first of all teachers must be of good character only then will students respect teachers sincerely. The moral lessons taught by such teachers will also be evaluated in reality. In this context, it is worth mentioning that teachers of immoral character are hated by the students from the bottom of their hearts. Therefore, it is recommended that teachers possess good character. Teachers must wear the garb of restraint and avoid factors that can harm society. When teachers who represent society do anti-social things, people get hurt in their minds. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid socially destructive factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, gambling, etc. This is because students are close to their teachers during the real-time of shaping their lives. During this time (unskillful and fond of imitating), young students learn a lot from teachers in addition to the curriculum taught by them. Therefore, teachers should be careful in their life cycle. Teachers should also be role models in strengthening the moral foundation of the students who are the future resources of the country. Teachers should teach students the kind of harmful actions. The teaching community should know that teachers who engage in acts of dishonour completely lose the trust and respect of their students. Moreover, students are reluctant to study under such teachers. Teachers are strictly required to refrain from antisocial activities.

In the end, I would like to emphasize that he is the real teacher who has won a place in the hearts of the students. Perhaps, that's why the wise say, "Teachers are born not made".

Heramba Nath,

Hindumaizali, Kamrup.

Proud and secure Axomiya

The long and much-awaited legendary 400th birth centenary of Lachit Barphukan's came to a very successful end around the state and the nation on November 25. All kudos must and should go to the present state government at Dispur for highlighting the great Ahom General's valour and patriotism before the nation, which was not done by the any previous government. Full credit must also go to Lt Gen (Ret) SK Sinha, ex-Governor of Assam, for initiating the process.

All said and done I, as a proud Indian, do feel extremely proud to listen to the speeches delivered by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the closing ceremony. Once again, our PM in his usual style was simply flawless in describing and praising Lachit Barphukan for his bravery and sense of patriotism before the nation, which was not recorded in our national history by our partisan historians who only let the nation know about the Mughals.

I, being a proud Axomiya, before parting wholeheartedly congratulate our CM and his Cabinet for the wonderful job. The Lachit Divas in fact has become very pertinent for us as at this very moment as we are facing yet another invasion from some aliens patronized by some 'super-secular' political parties. We feel safe and secure under PM Modi and CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Jai ai Axom!

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.