Letters to the EDITOR: A celebration of global achievement

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A celebration of global achievement

December 10 holds a significant place in the global calendar as Nobel Prize Day, a day that honours the memory of Alfred Nobel and his vision of recognizing outstanding human achievements across various fields. This date marks the anniversary of Nobel's death in 1896, and since 1901, it has been the occasion for awarding the Nobel Prizes in six categories: Peace, Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, and Economic Sciences. The day serves as a reminder of Nobel's desire to reward individuals and organisations whose work has made a lasting impact on humanity, encouraging progress, innovation, and global harmony.

Nobel Prize Day is important not only for its recognition of excellence in science, literature, and peace but also for the inspiration it provides to the world. Each year, the Nobel laureates are celebrated for their groundbreaking contributions to solving some of humanity's most pressing challenges.

The ceremony itself, held in Stockholm and Oslo, brings together leaders, scholars, and dignitaries from around the world, reinforcing the importance of international collaboration in addressing global issues. Nobel Prize Day serves as a moment of reflection, reminding us of the potential for positive change when individuals dedicate themselves to bettering the world. By highlighting the work of Nobel laureates, the day underscores the value of creativity, knowledge, and compassion in shaping a more just and sustainable future.

 December 10 is more than just a ceremonial occasion; it is a celebration of the ideals that drive human progress.

 The 2024 Nobel Prizes, awarded on December 10, celebrate groundbreaking achievements across various fields. In Physics, John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton were honoured for their pioneering work in machine learning with artificial neural networks. The Medicine prize went to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA. In Chemistry, David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper were recognized for their AI-driven protein structure predictions. The Literature prize was awarded to Han Kang for her poignant exploration of historical trauma and human fragility. The Peace Prize was presented to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organisation advocating for nuclear disarmament. The Economics prize went to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson for their work on economic development and institutions.

Joyshree Saikia

(joyshreesaikia66@gmail.com)

Packaged drinking water

The news item, "Packaged drinking water classified as 'high risk' food," published in your esteemed daily on December 7, has drawn our attention. Nowadays, it is a very common sight to see retailers, right from pan shops to departmental stores, selling bottled water under different names. How pure or free from contamination is packaged water, which continues to prick the consumers across the state? The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in its annual inspection reports, has classified packaged drinking water in the 'high risk' food category. With the increase in demand for bottled water, there is mushrooming growth of water treatment units, which seem to have created health hazards in the state. The state capital, Guwahati, has around fifty water treatment units triggering the apprehension of potential health risks associated with packaged water. Apart from this, there is a need for other non-alcoholic soft beverages to be subjected to mandatory annual inspections. Keeping in mind contamination concerns, it is imperative to ensure the safety and quality of packaged water in the market. There is a need for proper monitoring, surveillance, and risk management for the mitigation of harmful contamination in the packaged water under the supervision of agencies like the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). It is a collective responsibility for all to remain alert and check for certification on the products before purchase, as consuming water casually without verifying their ISI marks and other mandatory certification may cause various health issues. Unless the regulations are enforced rigorously in the water treatment process, there remains the fear of harmful contamination in the packaged drinking water.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

Last-minute changes to TET

The recent decision by the education department to suddenly introduce a new mathematics subject into the syllabus for the TET and recruitment examinations has left students in a state of confusion and despair. After months of focused preparation, based on a syllabus that had been in place for over a year, this unexpected change has thrown their plans into disarray. With only weeks to go before the exam on December 29, students who had prepared thoroughly for the existing syllabus now face the daunting task of mastering an entirely new subject in a matter of days. This decision is not only unreasonable but also reflects a lack of sensitivity towards the mental and academic well-being of the candidates.

This move by the government is reminiscent of previous instances where sudden changes were imposed during the recruitment process for grades III-IV, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. On that occasion, public outcry and intervention from the Chief Minister led to the reversal of the decision. However, despite the lessons learnt from that experience, the government seems to be repeating the same mistakes. Such arbitrary adjustments to the syllabus and examination system disrupt students' lives, adding unnecessary stress and uncertainty at a time when they should be concentrating on their studies. The sudden addition of a new subject, with no adequate preparation time, is a clear example of how the system is failing those it is supposed to serve.

Students, who have already invested significant time and energy into their preparation, deserve a fair and transparent examination process. The government's actions have not only undermined their hard work but also raised questions about the commitment to ensuring a fair academic environment. It is high time that the authorities reconsider this decision and offer a solution that prioritises the mental and academic well-being of the candidates. This is not just an issue of fairness; it is about respecting the dignity of the students and their right to a reasonable and well-structured examination process.

Shayan Dey                          

(deyshayan225@gmail.com)

Is Christmas only about Santa Claus?

If you ask any child about Christmas, he or she will only remember Santa Claus and the gifts offered by him to little children. As we celebrate this great festival of Christmas, we cannot but lift up our hearts to the Christ Child and thank Him for all the caring, sharing, and giving of our generous hearts during the year gone by. And so we cherish these memories with gratitude during this holy season.

Christmas is a time of fun and cheer. The activities of Christmas-tide, like parties, visits, and hopefully even the sacraments, fill us with joy and contribute to making the season joyful and exciting. Christmas is the celebration of the ultimate love of God abandoning the glory of heaven to make His will dwell with us.

Jubel D'Cruz,

(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)

Mental health challenges among higher education students

Mental health issues are a concerning issue that many students in higher education are silently facing. As academic pressures continue to intensify and the demand for excellence grows, a significant number of students are silently battling stress, anxiety, depression, and a wide range of other mental health struggles. This is a crisis that, unfortunately, remains hidden beneath the surface on many campuses, often overlooked until it becomes too overwhelming to ignore. The reality of university life is much more than just attending classes, passing exams, or securing prestigious internships. For many students, it is a cycle of deadlines and expectations. The constant pressure to perform well academically, combined with the uncertainty about future careers, takes an emotional toll that is sometimes too much to bear. What’s more, the relentless desire to coordinate academic success with participation in extracurricular activities and social responsibilities leaves little to no room for rest or self-care. This creates an environment where exhaustion, both mental and physical, becomes the norm rather than the exception. To make matters worse, many educational institutions simply aren’t equipped to handle the growing demand for mental health support. While some universities offer counselling services, these resources are often severely limited, understaffed, or difficult to access. Moreover, there should be consistent awareness campaigns that normalise the conversation about mental health. It’s time we create a culture where seeking help is seen as a strength, not a weakness. Students should be encouraged to take breaks, practice self-care, and build healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress. Peer support networks are also essential, as students can often relate to each other in ways that professionals may not, and having a strong support system can make all the difference. Universities should also consider implementing stress management programs, mindfulness workshops, and other resources that help students build resilience in the face of academic challenges.

Uddipta Goswami

Gauhati University

Vice called corruption

Almost five percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of developing countries is drowned by corruption. Developed nations, too, are reeling under the onslaught of corrupt ways of their people and institutions. Education, health, economics, justice, and the rule of law are but a few spheres that have crumbled under the weight of dishonest dealings. It is common knowledge that governmental corruption is extremely harmful to people's growth as healthy and prosperous citizens. It also has crushed nations' development because the downfall of governments due to corruption scandals tends to stall smooth administration.  American author John Steinbeck had famously said, 'It is not just power that corrupts, but the fear of losing the power that corrodes the corrupt." 

Moreover, it is not as if power corrupts people, but it is more like people corrupting those in power. Therefore, fighting against corruption has to be a part of culture because people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims but are accomplices in the crime. Since citizens' indifference is the most fertile ground for corruption, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) of the United Nations has stressed on "your NO counts" and "be the change," implying that an individual has to lead from the front in eradicating corruption. The "International Anti-Corruption Day" on the ninth day of December every year offers a platform to people of the countries for coming together to root out the single most important factor that has crippled the psyche of nations.

Dr Ganapathi  Bhat

(gbhat13@gmail.com)