Letters to the Editor: Coal shortage in India

The crisis of coal in a country like India, where about 52 per cent of the energy comes from coal, may adversely affect all the economic activities of the country as a whole. Coal inventory at thermal plans has significantly reduced. Along with international prices going up by 40 per cent last month, supply issues exist. Low investment and a decrease in mining against the available capacity are responsible for the supply issues.

Power companies are not willing to import coal at present because import increases the cost of power production. On the other hand, power tariffs cannot be revised frequently. Inflation would affect us further if distribution companies revise the tariffs. Also, the inability to curb transmission losses increases generation expenses.

China's case is different. China is now trying to save coal for future purposes. It has imposed strict restrictions on mining, thereby adopting a green policy and controlling power generation from coal. However, it is not sure whether India is also trying to lower coal dependency, by lessening imports. India should take the matter seriously and shift the coal-based power production to other available options, aiming at self-reliance.

Bibhash Deva Nath,

Rangia.

Strange October

October used to be the month which carried the message of winter. The fog in the air, the feeling that winter is not very far off used to be the expectations from October. The October I knew and cherished as a kid felt like a stranger this year. With temperatures soaring above 37 degrees we somewhere lost a piece of October. October also happens to be the favourite month for everyone but after this year I think we might change our answer. We cannot be so oblivious to the changes global warming is bringing not only to the climate but also in our lives. I want to say that it is not very late to revive October's former charming nature but I am afraid we are late and the measures we take now have to be drastically big or else months like October and November will only sit in our memories' cabinet.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur

Historic Shiv Dol

The news article by your staff reporter on 15th October "Assam loses 14.1% canopy cover…" (The Sentinel 16 October-2021) and subsequent editorial on 17th October is an awakening call at the right time for the right cause. Today Assam is witnessing prolonged rain starvation and reeling under an unprecedented heatwave for the last few months at a stretch. It is a familiar phenomenon in Assam that A few days of scorching sun is usually followed by a heavy downpour. Unfortunately this year there is a striking aberration and rain has eluded quite often despite the sky being overcast with nimbus clouds. This is quite concerning. When the other parts of the country, including Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu is witnessing heavy and incessant rainfall at this time of the year, Assam is suffering from a heatwave that is usually prevalent in the month of May or June.

We must introspect and ask ourselves - who is to blame for this? Every individual must take the responsibility to preserve our forests and stop the criminal activities leading to the massive deforestation of forests. We must express our concern vociferously against the nexus between unscrupulous politicians, forest officials, contractors and other criminals. We, as a society, must strive to plant as many tree saplings instead of cutting down trees in our surroundings. Tree plantation must not remain a ceremonial ritual especially on Environment Day on 5th June; rather it must be followed like a religious activity.

Unfortunately, today when the world is talking about preserving greenery and forestry, the mindless orgy of felling down of ancient tall trees of historic Shiva Dol of Shivasagar is a bizarre incident that probably no sensible person can accept without a pinch of salt. No one is able to give a proper reply to this despicable decision. Some say trees were sacrificed because the roots penetrated into the temple walls while others say it's for beautification. It's not only funny and ridiculous but probably without any substance or scientific reason. Citizens are in the dark whether a proper study was taken or not, whether ASI or forest officials were taken on board or not while this iniquitous proposal was made. But it is certain that this decision was taken in haste and the gruesome activity was done surreptitiously during the lockdown period. This decision also smacks of unimaginable absurdity, grotesque insensitivity rather than natural conformity and logical veracity. These trees which stood tall for decades and centuries provided serenity, an ambience of spirituality and succour to devotees for taking rest often after long-distance travel. Sir, even the most revered and auspicious wood apple (bel) tree was not spared from the axe of the marauding army of destructive force. The irony is that most conspicuously there was not a single voice of protest from the intellectuals of this historic town, NGOs and innumerable associations that call for a bandh at drop of a hat. Either they suffered from a collective paralysis from the shock or lost their voice against a powerful lobby of the temple committee.

I earnestly request the authorities concerned to make an inquiry to look into the factors leading to the decision of felling down the ancient trees and make the findings public. Besides I appeal to the authorities to take measures to restore the pristine glory of the temple premises and the greenery.

Kankan Kumar Das,

Gokuldham, Goregaon East

Mumbai-400063.

Second marriage after religion change must not be allowed

There have been cases including amongst celebrities and politicians where a new-to-be wed couple joined Islam symbolically for a day for having a second wife because the first wife refused to sign divorce papers. This is nothing but cruelty to the first wife who thereafter remains totally isolated and neglected for the rest of her life. Legislation must be passed so that no person having adopted Islam may be allowed to have a second wife. Rather India should follow those Islamic countries by allowing only one wife even for Muslims.

There have been cases including even hi-fi politicians and celebrities where the husband gets married to a second wife by somehow managing divorce papers signed from an illiterate first wife who usually keeps worshipping the husband as a lifetime partner till death being totally unaware of her being officially divorced because of her being illiterate. This is again cruelty to such an isolated and ignored the first wife. Necessary steps should be taken to stop such menace by all means including a social and political boycott of those responsible for inhumanity and cruelty to their first wives. Unfortunately, such persons including husbands and second wives are given undue respect even in political circles and at the state level.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

Delhi-110006

Oil substitutes

Although the prices of fuels have increased, yet their use has not decreased. On the contrary, their use is increasing. We need a bike, need a car. But most of us don't need a bicycle. Because many people in the world of bike, car feel ashamed to drive it. To reduce the consumption of oil, people need to increase the use of bicycles. Bikes are also used to go where you can walk. The use of bikes and cars can be understood if there is an urgent need. There will be no pollution from the cycle and the person will be physically healthy. Reducing pollution will help in reducing global warming. Global warming is a global threat. If the use of bicycles succeeds in reducing it, it will attract the attention of the world. The population of India is 135 crores. The oil consumption is also high in comparison to this. Pollution and diseases caused by pollution compel human life to deal with diseases. The problems caused by excessive use of oil are not taken seriously. Everyone likes to lead a healthy life. But the initiative is not taken to make the necessary effort. Delhi and Mumbai are the hubs of air pollution. Initiatives to reduce air pollution in our cities should be seen as a responsibility.

The use of oil substitutes should be increased. The use of oil should be viewed from the point of view of 'for emergency use'. So the pollution will be less and breathing can be done freely. The economic condition of the people of the country is improving. It's good. But being a responsible citizen is equally important. The energy generated from oil is used for many things. Another source of energy is solar energy. Solar energy is widely available in India. But it is used very little. How to increase the use of this natural energy? This needs special attention. Solar panels cost more. But those who can use it financially should use it. Awareness is needed to promote the use of solar energy. People do not believe that solar energy works as effectively as other energy components. For India to play a leading role in the use of solar energy, efforts are necessary for this direction, how people can move towards it. This will increase research on energy-powered things and gradually reduce the dependence on oil.

Jayesh Rane,

Mumbai