COVID
and mental
health
The pandemic period has shaken the mental well being of the people. They are bombarded with depressing news related to COVID-19. This crisis period is especially difficult to adjust for children and teenagers. In this regard, the media should be sensible enough while telecasting any news. Also, different talk shows should be conducted with psychologists and psychiatrists to counsel people. Many people are suffering from the worst feeling of having panic and anxiety attacks. So more and more webinars should be held for uplifting mental health. Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the kind attention of the authorities concerned towards the growing psychological disturbance among people in this critical situation.
Aranyani Borah,
Guwahati
COVID effect
I am writing this letter to highlight the mental health issues among people amidst this pandemic period. A pandemic is not just a medical phenomenon; it affects individuals and society and causes disruption, anxiety, stress, stigma, and xenophobia. Rapid human?to?human transmission of the virus resulted in the enforcement of regional lockdowns to stem the further spread of the disease. Isolation, social distancing, and closure of educational institutes, workplaces, and entertainment venues consigned people to stay in their homes to help break the chain of transmission. However, the restrictive measures undoubtedly have affected the social and mental health of individuals from across the board.
Quarantine and self?isolation can most likely harm one's mental health. Separation from loved ones, loss of freedom, boredom, and uncertainty can cause deterioration in an individual's mental health status. In this situation, governments must take the necessary measures to provide mental health support as prescribed by the experts. Then it will help to fight against this deadliest virus together at the societal level.
Gitartha Pratim Nath,
Guwahati
What do we call?
Seven members of NSUI (the student wing of Congress) in Jharkhand were suspended for three years for posting 'Jai Shree Ram' in one of the WhatsApp groups by the core committee of NSUI, Jharkhand. Is 'Jai Shree Ram' an expletive phrase that caused an allergic reaction to the Congresspeople. The same Congresspeople are very comfortable with the iftar party and joining the followers of Islam in namaaz. The appeasement policy of Congress has gone to such a state that it has become a routine affair for them to insult Hindu Gods and prayers. I don't blame Muslim people but the Congress, TMC, Samajwadi Party, Leftists are using them as slaves to be used as a vote bank during elections. What do we call this type of secularism?
Julie Bhuyan,
Gaurisagar
Jobs and skills
What is the use of that education system which does not even enable the educated to earn their livelihood? The priority of the youth is to get a suitable job as per their acquired skills and education. Most students opt for education which is likely to make them eligible for white-collared jobs. In today's job scenario, there is no work available for BA, MA and even PhD pass-outs. The government must not only teach skills, a recently introduced system but also create jobs for trained persons. Industries can be roped in for job pre-training which guarantees employment after a successful training stint.
Chandan Kumar Nath,
Sorbhog
AIR news bulletins
The All India Radio (AIR) should revise the schedule of its news bulletins to be audience-friendly. The main evening Hindi news bulletin should be at 8 pm instead of present 8.45 pm to give 'Samayaki' an important time place at 8.15 pm just after the main news bulletin in a manner 'Spotlight' is placed after main English news bulletin of 9 pm.
Other programmes presented by AIR News Services Division like 'Today in Parliament'/ 'Sansad Sameeksha', 'Radio Newsreel'/ 'Samachar Darshan' etc can be between 8:30 pm and 9 pm. This time slot can be utilized to revive weekly 'News-Sameeksha' on Sundays to get feedback from listeners.
Morning main news bulletins can be at 7:45 am in Hindi and 8 am in English each to be followed by comments from newspapers. Evening news bulletins in regional languages can be broadcast simultaneously from different AIR stations at 7:30 and 7.45 pm. Morning bulletins in regional languages can be at 7:30 am and 8:15 am. Regional news can be at 7 pm in regional languages simultaneously from all AIR stations. A special bulletin may be designed for rural areas to be broadcast simultaneously in regional languages at 7 am. At remaining clock hours, nine 5-minutes' bulletins each in Hindi and English can be alternately relayed instead of giving both Hindi and English bulletins at a particular hour. Format and timings of AIR news bulletins require such and other drastic changes given dominating visual media of TV news channels.
Madhu Agrawal,
Delhi