Letters to The EDITOR: Anaconda

An anaconda is a reptile that used to swallow its prey alive. It is usually found in Latin American rain forests. In India, we have anacondas like corporate houses, namely Ambani, Adani, Birla, Tata, etc. But as a layman, I find some differences between Tata and the rest. For me, Tata is a nationalist, patriotic, philanthropist, and businessman, and the rest are only businessmen. Very much like the anacondas, they are gradually swallowing the small businesses. Is it a good sign for the country’s economy and development?

Lanu Dutt Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

No more flyovers

Guwahati’s survival situation has deteriorated over the last few years. The city is witnessing a major influx from the other districts for bread and butter, which has resulted in congested city life for the dwellers. Secondly, during monsoon time, the city gets flooded after a smart shower due to clogged drains and the ongoing construction of flyovers across the length and breadth of the city. This perennial problem is causing immense hardship for the citizens. The foremost task of the government is to make the city flood-free. The construction of the proposed flyovers can wait, particularly the unnecessary proposed flyover from Dighalipukhuri to Noonmati. Firstly, it is a sheer waste of public money, and secondly, till now, none of the flyovers that were constructed have failed to ease the traffic snarl problem in the city. The traffic branch needs a scientific study and approach to solve this problem. The state government has yet to provide drinking water to every household in the city, though the mighty Brahmaputra flows close to the city. An earnest request to the Chief Minister to kindly cancel the cabinet’s plan for the proposed flyover at Dighalipukhuri.

Pratuljyoti Buragohain,

Panjabari, Guwahati.

Safe blood

Access to safe blood is a universal need, but shortages are particularly severe in low- and middle-income countries, making blood donation a crucial act of kindness that relies on the generosity of donors. World Blood Donor Day, observed annually on June 14, raises awareness about the importance of safe blood and expresses gratitude to voluntary donors. In India, where the scarcity of safe blood results in over 12,000 deaths daily, timely access to blood is vital, especially in cases of excessive blood loss during childbirth. Donating blood not only saves lives but also offers tangible health benefits and helps patients with life-threatening conditions such as sickle cell disease or cancer, as well as those involved in accidents requiring significant amounts of blood.

Established in 2004, World Blood Donor Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and acknowledge the selfless contributions of voluntary, unpaid donors. The roots of this day can be traced back to Karl Landsteiner, the renowned scientist who discovered the ABO blood group system and, coincidentally, was born on June 14, 1868. With the commemoration of this day, the World Health Organization (WHO) urges governments and health authorities worldwide to allocate resources and develop robust systems and infrastructure to enhance the collection of blood from voluntary donors. Blood shortages are a pressing issue, exacerbated by increased demand during emergencies, lower donation rates during holidays, and the difficulty of maintaining an adequate supply of rare blood types.

These shortages highlight the importance of regular blood donations to sustain blood banks. The 2023 World Blood Donor Day campaign adopts the theme “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often,” emphasizing the critical role each individual plays in providing the invaluable gift of blood or plasma. By promoting frequent donations, the campaign aims to ensure a secure and sustainable global blood and blood products supply, enabling timely treatment for all patients in need. Nevertheless, numerous countries confront the challenge of insufficient supplies of safe blood, jeopardizing their capacity to maintain an adequate and untainted blood inventory. World Blood Donor Day serves as a crucial platform to raise awareness about the significance of blood donation and express deep gratitude to the selfless individuals who generously donate their blood, ultimately saving lives.

This significant day acts as a poignant reminder of the vital need for safe blood and the invaluable contributions made by voluntary blood donors in addressing the global blood shortage. By promoting regular donations, raising awareness, and providing support to national blood transfusion services, World Blood Donor Day plays a crucial role in ensuring universal access to secure and sustainable blood supplies, thereby saving countless lives around the world.

Krishna Kumar Vepakomma,

(vepakrish1956@gmail.com.)