Expectations from new government: Letters to The Editor

Hearty congratulations and good luck are to the new government in office. As a well-wisher we wish to caution the government; time is very critical and the government needs to tread the path very cautiously. Any wrong decision at this juncture would push Assam to the brink. To put another set of points in perspective, we wish that the new government will work for the Assamese people and Assam. Without a doubt, the Assamese is a very simple but wretch society. We have overwhelmed sympathy and empathy for others. However, others have exploited us to the hilt considering our goodness as weakness. The last 73 years stand as epitome!

Every sensible Assamese realizes the fact that our land, language, culture and resources are under threat from forces within and outside. Double whammy! Aggression from all quarters has made us a minority in our state. We must be able to stand alone. We have self-respect. We don't need other's support for our survival. Time has come for all Assamese to wake up from deep slumber and the state government in particular. The State Government needs to muster the courage, fortitude and show acumen while defending the interest of the Assamese people and Assam. Time is to say adieu to kowtowing culture understanding the theory to the core; "Survival of the fittest". The government must be bluntly selfish in protecting our interests.

The faces in the Government are familiar to the people of Assam, for a long. We know their efficacy and integrity too. And that is past. We have to see things afresh to be believed. We want to conclude keeping our hope afloat by stating the following words "Promises are to be kept before we go to sleep".

Prafulla Dowarah,

Guwahati

Homen Borgohain

The demise of Homen Borgohain, one of the greatest literary persons in Assam on May 12, 2021, has made the people of Assam sad. Besides being a literary person, he was a journalist, and he edited several weekly journals and a daily newspaper in his journalistic life. At the time of death, Homen Borgohain was 89. Borgohain was born in Dhakuakhana on December 7, 1937, in the Lakhimpur district of Assam. Homen Borgohain founded a non-profit organization namely "Karunadhara" to help the poor. He was very conscious of the plight of the poor.

He penned several novels, non-fiction books, and he wrote his autobiography in several volumes. His books were highly popular among the readers, and numerous book lovers in Assam might have read every book written by Homen Borgohain. Readers who have read the books of Homen Borgohain can feel what a talented writer he was. Homen Borgohain was the president of the Axam Xahitya Xabha during 2001-2002. Moreover, Homen Borgohain had the credit of being a recipient of the Sahitya Academi Award.

Maheswar Deka,

Rangia

Congress downfall

Dynastic Congress is responsible for its downfall by ignoring its talented leaders. PV Narsimha Rao was ignored and insulted by Congress. He should have been honoured with Bharat Ratna.

The new Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma (BJP) is considered as the most deserving person for the post. But he had to resign from Congress in the year 2015 because party leadership ignored his capability. Otherwise, perhaps he would have been the State Chief Minister heading a Congress government rather than that of a BJP government.

The most known case of ignoring and deliberately insulting talented leaders in dynastic Congress is former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao who set an example by heading a non-majority government for a full five-year term. His style of working silently and taking in confidence the then Opposition Leader in crucial matters of national importance proved beyond doubt that he performed his devotion and duty to the nation rising above petty party politics. He once said and rightly too that at times not to make a decision is also a decision. He trusted the Opposition Leader rather than his Foreign Minister to head the Indian delegation at the crucial Geneva meet. His bold decision on devaluation of rupee to save India from bankruptcy was taken in consultation with the Opposition Leader rather than his Cabinet colleagues. His silent and undisclosed role in some very crucial matters and initiative for economic reforms became the background for Ram Janmbhoomi Temple at Ayodhya and a sound economy. Dynastic Congress leadership deliberately insulted him even after his death when his body was neither allowed to enter party-headquarters in Delhi nor to be cremated in Delhi. The present BJP government should honour such a grand Prime Minister with Bharat Ratna as also demanded by several BJP leaders, a well-deserved honour like given to other national leaders from the Congress including Sardar Patel and Pranab Mukerjee.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

Chandni Chowk, Delhi.

Akhil Gogoi

It's no doubt, an occasion to rejoice as an Assamese that jailed Akhil Gogoi has become the first Assamese to win the recent general election without even hitting the campaign trail. It does surprise one that he has bagged 57,219 votes as an independent garnering support from 46.06% of the electorate.

The point one needs to be mindful of is that the historic victory of the anti-CAA activist itself has defined leadership. Our aspiring leaders will certainly be able to lead the state along the path of prosperity provided they understand that leadership as exemplified by Akhil Gogoi is neither a title nor a position, rather it is a demonstration of character that is worthy of imitation, emulation and inspiration. Undeniably, this is the most important aspect of the election result in Assam to be reflected on.

Dipen Gogoi,

Teok, Jorhat

New Government

The new Government in the State is led by Himanta Biswa Sarma. Now the Government has a lot of works to do for the uplift of the State. The priority is to fight out the corona pandemic.

For this vaccination is a must as soon as possible. People should be alert and cautious. They should follow the advice of health experts. Wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing and regular hand hygiene is a must.

Putul Sarma,

Bamgaon Biswanath Chariali

Vaccination for 18+

The people falling in the age group of 18-45 years should be bifurcated to ensure walk-in vaccination first for the age group 30-45 years without registration.

Corona vaccination for the age group of 18-45 years only after the registration has created chaos and a shortage of vaccine. Even prior registration is a problematic cumbersome procedure, and could not prevent crowding of vaccination-centres with much-required social distancing could not be practically observed, thus creating more chances of corona spread.

Better is to bifurcate the age group of 18-45 years for corona-vaccination where persons in age-group 30-45 years may be first vaccinated with a walk-in facility without requiring prior registration as the system exists for people above 45 years. Persons in the age group 18-30 years can be vaccinated in the next phase.

Madhu Agrawal,

Chandni Chowk, Delhi