Letters to The EDITOR: Checking noise pollution

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Checking noise pollution

We must express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Mohini Mohan Borah for raising a most pressing issue of noise pollution in the article 'Peaceful surroundings: A shared responsibility' published in your esteemed daily on February 1, which is not only thought-provoking but also highly appreciable. Nowadays, playing loud music on a blaring sound system during weekends in certain flats, events like weddings, and religious and social gatherings is considered a fashion. But here, a question arises: is it called modern society, where we don't even think if our such foolish actions can foster our bond of social harmony and mutual respect, which is very important for the overall well-being of our society? The writer has rightly said that all forms of noise pollution are the greatest enemy to one's ability to focus and study effectively. A peaceful environment in families, neighbourhoods, and venues of events is a shining reflection of our well-cultured minds, which are the pillars of our all-round development. Our young generations are our future. Ensuring their academic success is a shared responsibility of communities and individuals. What is needed is that each of us cultivate the habit of speaking in a low voice in the family to facilitate a well-organised study space for our examination candidates to ensure maximizing their learning potential during the examination period. When every member of the society realises this fundamental responsibility of creating a peaceful environment in and around, it will not only minimize examination stress of the candidates but also give them greater confidence and determination to overcome the challenges. As responsible citizens, let us all pledge in the presence of Ma Saraswati that we will remain supportive and leave no stone unturned in creating a harmonious and noise-pollution-free atmosphere for the better future of the nation. The voluntary organizations and NGOs in collaboration with the local authorities can play a pivotal role in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere across the state. One must always remember that failing an examination is an unbearable shock to a candidate, which cannot be made up by anything at any time, as one's age and chance come once in one's life.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

Plight of truck drivers

It is difficult to imagine a society sans truck drivers. With the sole aim of transporting goods, these drivers slog day in, day out with little rest. Truck drivers are commonly pan-India workers who traverse long distances. Lengthy working hours and absence of shift duties make their lives  excruciating.  Away from family for a considerable period, the plight of truck drivers is miserable.  Then there is that eternal problem of harassment by police who relish targeting the drivers. Sleep deprivation can lead to a host of health issues in an individual, and truck drivers are no exception.  A study from IIT Delhi has said that many of these drivers suffer from various health disorders, including nearsightedness and long-sightedness of vision, increased body mass index (BMI) due to prolonged sitting, and the inevitable stress. Nearly 40 percent of the 50,000 truck drivers from 5 states who were assessed battled stress. These numbers are disturbing as well as a wake-up call for stakeholders because a lot of accidents on highways are blamed on truck drivers without understanding the conditions they work in. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways should make periodic health reports of truck drivers mandatory, and the responsibility should be fixed on the employers. Health check-up facilities should be arranged for drivers at key points on the highways, preferably at ‘dhabas’ where they rest. 

Dr Ganapathi Bhat 

(gbhat13@gmail.com)

A taxing question and a ready answer

Nirmala Sitaraman answered the tax question in an affirmative manner, even as the people's budget opened up a Pandora's Box in a big way. In a move that had Parliament buzzing, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a series of tax reliefs and got a big thanks right after. The big news? No income tax for anyone earning up to Rs 12 lakh, and this cheers everyone. But that's not all. Senior citizens can now enjoy a higher tax-free interest limit of Rs 1 lakh. The TDS threshold on rent is also up to Rs 6 lakh, making life a little easier for both tenants and landlords. And for families sending kids abroad for studies, the removal of TCS on education-related remittances is a game-changer. The Union Budget 2025 is a holistic budget that will be applauded not only in India but also abroad.

As Sitharaman prepared to present her eighth consecutive Union Budget, she donned the eye-catching saree, underscoring the importance of preserving India's age-old craftsmanship and artistry. The event marked a significant moment in the country's financial history, as Sitharaman became the first finance minister to deliver eight straight budgets, surpassing Morarji Desai's earlier record. Budget 2025 holds great significance, as it represents the second full budget under the Modi 3.0 government. Her dedication to upholding India's cultural heritage is a testament to her commitment to serving the nation and its people. With the nation holding its breath in anticipation of the budget announcement, Sitharaman's decision to wear the hand-painted saree sends a powerful message-one that resonates deeply within the hearts of every Indian citizen. Moreover, the impact of Covid 2019 will hover over public interest as the vegetable and fruit prices touch a new high during the winter season as well. Again, retirees also heaved a sigh of relief under the new income tax regime.

Jayanthy Subramaniam

(jayantck1@hotmail.com)