Letters to the Editor: Rahul's India

"There is strength in our union. Our union of culture. Our union of diversity. our union of language. Our union of people. Our union of states. from kashmir to kerela, from gujarat to bengal. india is beautiful in all colours. do not insult the spirit of india." This was what the former president of Congress, a century-old party claiming to bring independence to the nation tweeted on 10th February 2022 in his blog. What is this Mr Gandhi? You being an ex-president of the AICC and a projected Prime Ministerial candidate of the nation from your party have no idea about the boundary of your nation. Very unfortunately, the very same can be said about our NATIONAL ANTHEM where the entire NE India is forgotten or one can say it is ignored.

Enough is enough Rahul Gandhi! You have in the meantime done enough damage to yourself and your party by your senseless tweets because of your lack of knowledge. You are digging your own grave and that of your party.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Indian Agriculture

Indian Agriculture is marred with problems. One of the major problems is the lack of good transportation and cold storage facilities. Instead of giving nickels and dimes as financial incentives to farmers, the government should focus on improving the transportation and cold storage facilities of agricultural produces. The current government deserves a big applause for embarking on the rather uphill task of smoothening out every road in the country but there is still a lot to be done. Due to lack of proper transportation and cold storage facilities, the Indian farmers have to incur losses to the tune of Rs 92,651 crore. The government can considerably bring that figure down and help out the poor farmers who are already reeling under extreme poverty.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur

'Bhoomi poojan'

Assam always had a secular culture, where everyone, irrespective of caste, religion, dialect, etc could participate. So, whenever a new public construction is initiated (for example, arrangements for organizing a Bihu), the "laikhuta" would be laid as the foundation ceremony. In inauguration or foundation-laying ceremonies, especially those by the Governments, the focus was on the event.

However, of late, it is observed that a culture of "bhoomi poojan" has started by the Government, while laying ceremonies, akin to "bhoomi poojan" for temple building ceremonies in the northern parts of India, especially in Uttar Pradesh. The ceremonies are performed by non-local priests. This is not in good taste. Apart from the huge, but avoidable, expenses incurred, it brings forth religion into the picture in public functions and an invasion of local culture, values and ethos. We vociferously oppose such initiatives of the Government.

D Bhutia,

Zoo Road, Guwahati – 781 024.