Letters to The Editor

Sometime back, 'Modi Factor' was a big national issue because of some desperate political parties and their supporters whose prime objective was lust for power even at the cost of nation's integrity and security. For those, their personal ambitions and party's agendas took a front seat leaving the interest of the nation in the back seat. Now, 'Modi Factor' has become a global issue as can be evidenced by tweets of some Hollywood stars in regards to amended farms laws. This is another sinister design by our enemies both inside and outside, that included Congress, Samajwadi Party, Leftists, to name a few. To be honest the leaders of these parties are quislings who are acting as termites.

It is high time all patriotic Indians cutting across all the political line rose to the occasion and stand behind our PM Modi. The writings are pretty clear on the walls.

Lanu Dutta Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Papon's enthralling performance

On January 23, we as Assamese felt extremely proud, when our son of the soil Angarag Papon Mahanta enthralled the august gathering which included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the auspicious occasion of Parakaram Divas at historic Victoria Memorial at Kolkata. The performance of the singing sensation kept the audience spellbound. That very day I could recall our dearest Lt Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika who too enthralled the distinguished gathering which included the then Prime Minister Lt. Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and Angarag Papon Mahanta are heads and shoulders above so-called heartthrob Zubeen Garg. The peerless performance of Lt. Khagen Mahanta's son will go down as one of the finest performances by an Assamese at the national platform.

Aparna Sarma Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Ensuing election in Assam

It is observed that political campaigning in Assam is going on full swing. Some leaders of a party declared that they will get 100 plus seats. Similarly, another party declared that it will get 100 plus seats. One party is giving declaration in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Does it mean this party is going to campaign sitting on the back of PM Modi. Is it proper in Parliamentary democracy?

Putul Sarma,

Biswanath Chariali.

Budget for vitality

The implications of the economic crisis in 2020 have put the Budget session in the spotlight. While many wait to see economic recovery and defence expenditure, a major chunk anticipates the allocation of funds in the health sector. In the past, the public spending in the health sector covered around 1% of the GDP. Coronavirus taught the country the impeccable and ardent necessity to skillfully improve the standards of the health sector. It's high time the Government focused on healthcare.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Insecure Hamid Ansari?

Two-time vice President of India Hamid Ansari in a recent interview with Zee News channel stated that he along with his Muslim brothers and sisters feel insecure in India. The former Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University who also served as Ambassador to many countries still feels unsafe and insecure in India. The country honoured him immensely. The diplomat turned politician is still critical of the country. The worst part is that he dragged our Muslim brothers and sisters too. Indians recognize Lt. APJ Kalam as one of the top three Presidents to have served the country. If we recall Dr. Hamid Ansari in his last day as Vice President created controversy when he said that Muslims in India feel insecure and unsafe under NDA rule. India has always honoured the deserving person irrespective of religion, caste or sex. The top-level officers of Army are Sikhs and we Indians feel proud to see them in uniform. There are several examples where one can proudly say that minority people (Muslims in particular) have occupied highest position in every field. India is the safest place for people of all the religions. Dr. Hamid Ansari, please don't try to create mistrust among the masses.

Purabi Miri,

Jakhalabandha

ATM hygiene

It is a shame to say that we Assamese people are generally unclean and unaware of the environment. This is evidenced by the daily happenings in our society. For example, we want to say that some people spit areca-nut, gutkha and pan-masala inside ATM rooms, and scatter the small pieces of paper of the mini statement. As a result, the inside of the ATM rooms creates a nasty environment. In fact, such behaviour introduces a person's uncivilized character and distorted mind. It is a matter of concern that even though the bank authorities have placed a small steel dustbin-like container inside the ATM room, the people deliberately throw pieces of paper of the mini statement inside the ATM room.

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's keynote address to the entire nation on the Swachh Bharat Mission, it is unfortunate that some people are disregarding environmental awareness.

Heramba Nath

Kamrup.

An important fundamental right

The essence of free speech is the ability to think and speak freely and to obtain information from others through publication and public discourse without any fear. It is through free speech people can come together to strengthen one's morality as well as attain self-realization. They are the one who help others to become moral and enlightened citizens.

The freedom of speech is regarded as the first condition of liberty. It occupies a preferred and important position in the hierarchy of the liberty, it is truly said about the freedom of speech that it is the mother of all other liberties. An idea can only make sense when it is delivered to the large mass of people for that a medium is required as such freedom of press is included with freedom of speech and expression. It is only through publication people can educate themselves and share their views as it is one of the most important fundamental rights.

Therefore, Article 19(1) (a) of Indian constitution stated that all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression along with freedom of press.

Priya Chakraborty,

Dibrugarh .

Traffic congestion

Cities across the globe are witnessing traffic congestion owing to the growing number of private vehicles jostling for a larger space on roads. As also lack of adequate public transport infrastructure, is now emboldening the people to switch to a private mode of transport leading to congestion on roads. Pedestrians and cyclists are left with no choice with such encroachment of road space by the other vehicles. Public transport options like bus and metro are also not exploited to the fullest extent-owing to inadequate planning and lack of foresight. Both the systems have their own challenges to otherwise run and operate smoothly within any busy city.

The urban policymakers should emphasize that the organizations employing workforce who use private transport to switch to flexible working options and thus reduce congestion on roads. As most of the workforce belongs to computer-based jobs, a unified policy should be framed to allow flexible working opportunities apart from encouraging work from home in busy cities.

An effort should also be made by stakeholders to incentivize the use of public transport, promote eco-friendly transport through electric vehicles policy and popularize shared commutes thereby discouraging private vehicle travel completely. The move will help to bring down air pollution levels, reduce dependency on fossil fuels and also reduce traffic congestion to an extent.

Varun Dambal,

Bangalore.

Privatizing Bank of Maharashtra and Punjab Sind Bank

It was on expected lines that two smallest public Sector banks namely Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) and Punjab Sind Bank were to be privatized along with IDBI Bank as announced in the Union Budget for fiscal year 2021-22, because these two banks despite having lower business were not merged with some big public sector banks on 01.04.2020. Both these banks are mainly regional based banks in States of Maharashtra and Punjab respectively. But the Central government has still not clarified the mode of privatization of these two banks if these will be taken over by some public sector undertaking. The LIC of India got a major share-holding in IDBI Bank, or these banks will be handed over through bid or negotiation to some private corporate.

Also it may be possible that shares may be floated for public for privatizing these banks. Another option can be that States of Maharashtra and Punjab may take over these banks either directly or through their undertaking.

But Maharashtra and Punjab should now ensure that all accounts and deposits of these two States and their public sector undertakings (PSUs) together with salary accounts of their employees may be compulsorily shifted to Bank of Maharashtra and Punjab Sind Bank respectively in case these banks are to be taken over by some PSUs or these States themselves. It further gives an idea to give States power to open their own banks or get controlling majority stake in some existing private or public sector banks. Such State controlled banks can then compulsorily have all accounts and deposits of the concerned state including those of their undertakings and salary account of employees.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

Delhi.