Letter to THE EDITOR: Alarm bell?

Alarm bell?

Assembly elections in states, namely Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka, took place amid great political speculation. One must admit that in spite of the Congress party’s many misadventures, as shown in leading news channels, Congress has made a great comeback except in NE India. The whole of South India has become BJP-free. The BJP’s victory in NE India is not very significant in the coming parliamentary poll. The Congress victory in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh was mainly due to the anti-incumbency of the ruling party, not to Congress good works. It was, in fact, by default.

In Assam too, the alarm bell for the BJP should be ringing, as there is every likelihood of the AIUDF and the Congress alliance before the 2024 Lok Sabha poll. I, as an Asomiya, do feel good about the BJP’s performances so far in Assam and feel secure.

Joel Gayari,

Tangla.

Cleanliness in Guwahati

I am writing this letter to express my deep concern about the deteriorating environmental conditions in Guwahati, the largest city in Assam. It is disheartening to witness the increasing instances of littering, illegal waste dumping, and various other activities that show a disregard for our environment. These issues are particularly evident in localities and public spaces, where garbage bins are often in a miserable state. Most of the time, these bins are overflowing with waste due to the failure of the respective authority to collect them on time. This situation leads to awful smells, creates a breeding ground for diseases, and leaves a negative impression on visitors and residents alike. On behalf of the citizens concerned, I would like to suggest some measures to address these issues and improve the conditions in Guwahati.

Dustbins: It is crucial to allocate different dustbins for various types of waste. I propose having separate bins for wet items, domestic waste, and dry waste. This segregation will facilitate proper waste management and make it easier for the authorities to handle and dispose of waste efficiently.

Awareness and education: Launching a comprehensive awareness campaign is essential to educating the public about the importance of correct dustbin usage every other weekend. It is pivotal to provide clear guidelines through informative posters, pamphlets, social media platforms, and local community engagement programmes. These efforts will help people understand the significance of waste segregation and encourage them to be responsible about disposal practices.

Timely Waste Collection: Ensuring prompt and efficient waste collection is of utmost importance. It is imperative to establish a robust waste management system with a fixed schedule for regular waste collection from all areas of the city. This proactive approach will prevent waste from accumulating in bins and thus minimise the associated problems with it.

Amisha Kalita,

(amishakalita975@gmail.com)

Plastic: A threat to environment

I am writing to share my concern with the mounting plastic pollution in our water and terrestrial bodies and the harm it is doing to marine life. Plastic pollution is a significant issue that harms not only marine life but also human health. By 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish, according to recent research. This sobering number ought to serve as a call to action for all of us. We must cut back on the amount of plastic we use and work harder to recycle and properly dispose of it. The use of single-use plastics should be prohibited, and sustainable alternatives should be encouraged.

We can all make a difference by making small changes in our daily lives, such as bringing reusable bags and water bottles, avoiding products with excessive packaging, and properly disposing of our waste. It is time for us to take responsibility for our actions and protect our planet. Let us work together to reduce plastic waste and create a cleaner, healthier world for future generations.

Payal Dey

Cotton University,

Guwahati

Our rape laws are very weak

Rape has become a serious problem in our country today because our laws don’t act as a deterrent, which often leaves the culprits unpunished. Some rapists escape with light punishment or no reprimand at all, as they enjoy political clout.

Young girls and elderly women are scared to travel alone on public transport, and night travel is risky. The government must recruit better qualified and trained personnel to keep strict vigilance in sensitive and isolated areas, as well as in local trains, to induce caution and fear in the minds of criminals. This preventative mode could result in a reduction in the number of crimes taking place and might even make people respect the laws of the country.

The strictest possible punishment with no provision for exemption should be meted out without any consideration for juveniles, as they are the ones committing most of the crimes, including rapes and robberies. None of the criminals should be released on bail. This will teach other criminals not to commit such gruesome acts of crime in the future.

The existing rape laws in India are very weak, which is why we have not been able to curb the numerous cases of sexual assaults on women that are happening daily. Perhaps the most uncomfortable procedure in the investigation of such cases is the identification parade.

Barbaric laws like those of Saudi Arabia and other Arabian Gulf countries should be introduced in India, where rapists are either castrated, beheaded, or stoned to death. The law should be such that it upholds the dignity of a woman while giving rapists the maximum amount of punishment. This will reduce the number of rapes taking place in the country.

Ganapathi Bhat

(gbhat13@gmail.com)