Letters to the Editor: Why's Congress silent?

Why's Congress silent?

One of the 14 arrested people who openly supported to Taliban is an AIUDF member, an ally of Congress. But APCC president Bhupen Bora is maintaining a stoic silence. His 'secular' brothers and sisters in the party are also silent. Bhupen Bora, is generally very vocal on any issues concerning Assam, though he lacks any substance. His predecessor Ripun Bora, on many occasions, did certify AIUDF as a secular party primarily concerned about the indigenous people. But the history of AIUDF reads differently. This party was born to safeguard the interests of the illegal immigrants post-squashing of the IM(DT) Act by the Supreme Court. The public knows the intention of AIUDF and that's the reason why AIUDF has failed to open accounts in constituencies dominated by indigenous voters. Congress that is daydreaming of storming back to power in 2026 is digging their own grave by allying with a pro-Bangladesh, pro-Taliban and pro-Pakistan party named AIUDF. In today's world, people are smarter and can decide judiciously. Congress must clear their stand whether they are with India or with the Taliban's ideology.

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.

Job opportunities for youngsters

In these days of high competition, a government job seems to turn itself into a very precious one. Nowadays even the 0.5 mark has to lead a great role in the competition of jobs. In the context of India, the largest population has imposed a bad impact on employment issues. On the other hand, we are going to reach the peak of modernization. Nowadays, many technology-related works have played a great role in different sectors. Many youngsters have selected the same to earn. In this competitive world, our creative work has helped us a lot to grow. We can choose many technology-related works as the alternative to other jobs. So, I urge the government that it may take some programmes on the same and involve mostly youngsters in technological work to make them efficient and self-sufficient to earn beyond government jobs.

Aditya Ankur Nath,

Tezpur

Indo-Pak Peoples Party

We all know that before any election, be it Parliamentary or Assembly, there is a sudden mushroom growth of new political parties formed by some discarded party leaders for their political survival, and once the elections are over, they simply disappear into oblivion. Punjab and UP of late are the two states which are heading for election shortly. From all reliable sources as reported in all leading print and electronic media a new political party is in the offing named INDO PAK PEOPLES party, a very secular party with the following office-bearers – president - Md Asaiddin Owaisis, working president - Md Omar Abdullah, Secretary-general- Begum Mehbooba Mufti, joint conveners- Naseeruddin Shah and Sabana Ajmi. The members of the committee are Mani Shankar Iyer, Navjit Singh Siddhu, Digvijay Singh, Javed Akhtar, Shashi Tharoor.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Throwing garbage near national highways

Through the columns of your esteemed paper, I want to draw the attention of the authority concerned towards the garbage dumps seen near national highways along with other roads. The Municipal Corporation starts the process of collecting garbage from home to home and they also provide dustbins in every home. But some people throw garbage near roads. In the Nagaon district, we see garbage dumps near some schools and colleges like Nagaon Government HS School, No. 1 Amolapatty School and many more. I urge people to throw their garbage in the dustbin rather than open places, roadside. We must make our environment clean and healthy. Also, I would like to request the authorities concerned to look into the matter.

Himakhi Hazarika,

Cotton University,

Guwahati.

Vexing issues becoming cry wolf moments

The Himanta Biswa Sarma government in Assam may be making many a good headline. However, it will be wrong to presume that everything is hunky-dory in the functioning of the government. Surely, there are a whole lot of pressing issues calling for immediate and serious attention. Some of the vexing issues are the ever-increasing inflation, poor implementation of various welfare schemes coupled with lack of awareness of the targeted people, corruption at lower levels of the administration, et al. Then there are some which have received attention but need more deliberate and efficient handling – the COVID-19 pandemic and the perennial floods for instance.

It is in these fields of lax attention and poor implementation where the opposition and the well-informed public can play a vital role. For the opposition, this is an area of opportunity to prove their relevance and existence.

It is painful to notice that of late it has become the habit of some of the opposition parties as well as some well-informed people to raise even minor or frivolous issues in a very serious tone and tenor to whip up public passions and emotions. This is best avoided in these trying times and tribulations facing the country.

But what belies belief is the motive of raising such issues by some people on one hand and on the other the inability of the authorities to react, clarify and resolve the issues before these turn out to be hypercritical. Repeated failure to clarify and put such issues at rest at the earliest also belies the seriousness of the government in tackling the issues.

Let's take the case of renaming the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Air Port, Guwahati by the Adani Group. This was silly, to say the least. That too, coming from people who should have known better. This type of operation and management of airports by consortiums comprising public and private parties/companies in India have been in vogue perhaps for over a decade now. Delhi - 2006, Hyderabad - 2008 and Bangalore - 2008 for example is being run under such arrangements successfully, more efficiently and providing better services. The funds thus saved by the state are then available for utilization for other needy purposes.

The fiasco in the enforcement of the speed limits in NHS and other roads was also avoidable. Enforcing adherence to speed limits is for the interest, convenience and safety of the public. Acts and orders passed must be implemented but with due diligence. Equally, the tone and tenor of the observations and allegations against the government were misplaced and uncalled for.

We should be careful that issues raised are pertinent and are for the betterment of society and not for creating a nuisance. Raising frivolous issues too often will only force the public not to take us seriously. Then such calls even when the issues could be genuine, serious and worth the attention may go unheeded. That will become our cry wolf moment.

Col Balen Chandra Das (Retd),

Guwahati.

Separate time zone

The Northeast is tired of asking for a separate time zone. Many politicians from the region over the years have tabled the request for a separate time zone for the Northeast but to no avail. The Centre thinks that giving a separate time zone to the Northeast would brew separatist tendencies in the people. Russia has 9 time zones, the US has 6 but we don't see any such tendencies brewing in the minds of Russians or Americans. On the other hand, China is sticking to a one-time zone to enhance national unity has backfired many times. In the winters when the sun sets by 4 pm in the Northeast, offices and industries have to remain till 6 pm which means extra consumption of electricity. In the summers when the sun rises by 4:30 am almost 5 hours of daylight are lost by the time people go to their work. The tea gardens in Assam follow a time that is one hour ahead of the IST to put the daylight hours to better use. I urge the government to please try to understand that giving a separate time zone to the Northeast is not going to brew any separatist tendencies in us. It is for the greater good of the region.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur.

Original ones neglected

The State BJP has become the dustbin of the APCC (Assam Pradesh Congress Committee). From days before assembly elections to the formation of the new government several opportunistic Congresspeople have joined BJP in the hope to revive their fading fortune. In the recent list declared by state BJP in regards to the appointment of party spokespersons and other office-bearers some strange names have come up. In the spokesperson category, the likes of Kalyan Gogoi, Juri Sharma Bordoloi and Pankaj Borbora have caught our attention. The trio switched from the Congress after they were denied tickets in the last polls. These persons do not have any ideology. If one follows state politics, one would have noticed these people scolded BJP. Now suddenly for them, PM Modi, Amit Shah, Himanta Biswa Sarma have become idols. State BJP president Bhabesh Kalita should not have given these defectors such important portfolios. There are plenty of people within the BJP who are dedicatedly working for the party respecting and following its ideology to the tilt. Congress is a sinking ship and in near future, many opportunistic people would line up to join the BJP. Too much stale product will damage the saffron party which is the only hope for the indigenous people.

Pratuljyoti Buragohain,

Guwahati.

SC ruling on NDA exam

The Supreme Court's ruling to allow women to appear in the NDA exam is laudable. The verdict will help many girls to fulfill their dream is to become an Army Officer. The Indian Army should provide equal ranks and opportunities to women aspirants. Women empowerment is the need of the hour and the judgement of the SC will definitely encourage more women to join the NDA.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Taliban & Afghanistan

Taliban is a terrorist group that has taken over the rule in Afghanistan. The main work of the Taliban and other terrorist groups is to make the establishment of Islamic rule or the caliphate in the whole world. The Taliban has also made certain rules in Afghanistan which is unfavourable for the people and most of the Afghan citizens flee away from the country and moved to other countries for peaceful residence. The President itself of Afghanisthan Ashraf Ghani resigned and moved away to another country. He took all the money away from Afghanisthan in a helicopter full of money. Certain rules are made by the Taliban in Afghanistan like the women are not allowed to go to school, they are not allowed to come out from their house, etc. These are some of the strict rules that are made by the Taliban towards Afghan citizens. They have also created a war-like situation in the Panjsheer region in Afghanistan due to which it has now become very difficult for citizens to reside in Afghanistan.

Manish Kashyap,

Tezpur.

History & Geography

It is a well initiative taken recently by the State government to make History and Geography compulsory up to class-X from the next academic year. As we know that History helps us to develop an understanding of the world and transferable skills, to learn about the identity and to become more rounded person whereas Geography provides us a holistic understanding of our planet and its systems. It also gives a meaning and awareness to places and spaces and special awareness on the globe. As such, the knowledge of these two subjects may surely help our new generation to mould themselves into responsible and patriotic persons in near future.

Rupak G Duarah,

Rajahnagar, Guwahati-40