Letters to the Editor: Onion prices skyrocketing

Onion prices skyrocketing

The onion prices have reportedly mounted across the country as the Rabi stock saw a steep decline and fresh Kharif stock is yet to arrive. Now, soaring prices of onions burn a hole in common man’s pockets. The common man is feeling the heat of financial stress once again as the price of onions surged in the market across the country. The surge in the price of onions in an agricultural country and the plight of farmers are truly shameful and condemnable. Agricultural experts should develop such technology so that onion production increases in every state of the country. The wrong policies of the government, which are accountable for the soaring onion prices, can definitely be improved.

Jahangir Ali,

Guwahati.

Train accident

How long will people continue to die in railway accidents? It has become a questionable issue. Once again, 14 passengers were reported dead in a collision between two trains in Andhra Pradesh. Despite all the measures, railway accidents have not been stopped in the country. A few months ago, 288 people died tragically in a collision between three trains in Balasore, Odisha. 747 people were seriously injured in the accident. Thousands of passengers die every year in train accidents in the country. Surprisingly, the Railway Department does not learn any lessons from the past. If lessons had been learned from previous accidents, such a scene of devastation would not have been seen. Even though the administration is giving compensation to the affected families, life cannot be returned. Instead of shedding crocodile tears, leaders should improve the system so that the common people have facilities and accidents can be prevented.

Nawaz Ashraf

Guwahati

Kerala, the epicentre

Kerala and Tamil Nadu, in the southern region of India, have become the epicentre of Islamic terrorism, where incidences of terrorism have started taking place, during which our brave hearts are martyred along with innocent civilians. With the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, the law and order situation has changed, along with the decline of bandhs. But sadly, it is not so in the case of Kerela, the only state ruled by leftists.

Very recently, an ex-Hamas leader openly addressed a public rally by video conference, condemning the Israelis for their retaliatory action against the Hamas in the Gaza Strip without condemning the Hamas for their barbaric attack on Israel. The very next day, an IED explosion took place at a Christian convention in Kerala’s Ernakulum, causing fatalities. It is high time that the centre dealt with such a situation very firmly. I make a fervent appeal to all the Keralites to rise to the occasion and prove their loyalty to their motherland.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Menace of Durga Puja pandals, kiosks, etc.

During the recent Durga Puja and other festivities, extra layers and pieces of hoardings, kiosks, pandals, etc., were constructed and put up, many of which were on temporary and unsafe structures. This is true in many places, and more specifically in the cities and towns. These are hazardous and unsafe, and they encroach upon public spaces, roads, and pathways. Perhaps many of these were unauthorized and without permission. As a concerned citizen, I urge the authorities to initiate steps to get these removed immediately, as they pose a serious threat to public life and seriously hamper the movement of pedestrians and vehicles alike.

D Bhutia,

Zoo Road, Guwahati

Railways should hasten Kavach work

The Indian Railways has to work out the nitty-gritty of the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), or ‘Kavach’ on train routes to hasten its introduction, in the backdrop of increasing collisions between trains. It has been working on the safety system since 2016. Kavach will ensure that automatic braking is activated when two trains are tantalizingly close or there is an impending obstruction to a train on the track. Even otherwise, when a train hurries through the Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) or stop signal, the system will alert the driver. It is pertinent to note that the loco pilot will have to follow all trackside signals despite the presence of ATP, and the system will help him navigate the locomotive to safety only in cases of exigencies. No doubt the system will cost a big bundle for the railways, at an estimated Rs 30 to 35 lakh per km of track, but nothing is more precious than the safety and security of the passengers. An official test of the Kavach had already been conducted in March 2022. As of June 2023, only 2 percent of the Indian train routes are reportedly covered by the Kavach system. It may be impossible, in hindsight, for the railways to introduce the anti-collision system through the entire length and breadth of the 68,446 km route of the Indian Railways. Till now, 1098 line km and 65 trains on the South Central Railways are said to be secured by Kavach. However, the project should be completed in its intended routes at the earliest.

Dr Ganapathi Bhat

Akola

All Saints’ Day

All Saints' Day is a Catholic festival celebrated to honour the saints. It is also known as the Feast of All Saints, All Hallows’ Day, Solemnity of All Saints, and Hallowmas. As the name suggests, it is a festival to honour all of the saints, known and unknown. The feast is celebrated on November 1 by the Catholic Church. In Catholic countries, All Saints' Day is an official public holiday. The eastern orthodox churches and the other eastern Catholic-associated churches celebrate All Saints' Day on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

The Catholic celebration of All Saints' Day on November 1 and All Souls' Day on November 2 stems from the belief that there is a powerful spiritual bond between those in heaven (the "Church triumphant") and the living (the "Church militant"). In Catholic theology, the day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven.

Jubel D'Cruz,

Dombivili, Mumbai