Letters to the Editor: Flexible Working Hours

Flexible working hours

I'm writing today as a concerned college student eager to highlight a struggle many peers and I face regarding no flexible working hours for college students. Students from low-income families constantly juggle studies with part-time jobs. Most part-time jobs in Guwahati don't offer flexible working hours, forcing us to choose between attending classes and showing up to work. Missing classes isn't an option for us; we can't afford to fall behind when families are counting on us. We desperately need part-time jobs that understand our unique situation. High stakes are involved when students like me are forced to drop out; it's not just our own dreams that suffer. I'm calling on authorities and business owners to create more part-time job opportunities with flexible working hours. Let's work together to empower students like me to succeed. We're asking for a fair chance to pursue education while supporting families.

Dikshita Choudhury

Pragjyotish college

Example of religious harmony

During my recent visit to Kashmir, I had the opportunity to stay for two nights at a hotel called Royal Plaza in Srinagar. To my delight, I discovered a Hindi book on Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev placed in the hotel lobby. It was a heartwarming and unexpected sight, especially in a region where cultural and religious diversity has long shaped its history. In the present times, when religious intolerance and prejudice seem to be on the rise, such an effort to showcase the works of a great saint, reformer, and cultural icon from Assam is truly commendable. It not only reflects the inclusive spirit of Indian heritage but also reinforces the need for mutual respect and understanding among different communities. I sincerely appreciate this thoughtful gesture by the hotel management and hope that more such initiatives are taken across the country to promote cultural exchange and harmony.

Mowsam Hazarika

Bharalumukh, Guwahati

Let us make non-literate literate

The news article 'Assam has over 7 lakh non-literates,' published in your esteemed daily on February 7, had drawn our attention. As reported, the state has around 7.12 lakh non-literate people above fifteen years of age. The district that suffers from the lowest literacy rate is Dhubri, whereas Kamrup (M) has the highest literacy rate in the state. It is heartening to learn that the state's Department of Education is undertaking a process to literate this huge number of people, of the age group of 15-35 years, belonging to SC, ST, and OBC categories, divyangs, construction workers, and labourers under the Central Government's New India Literacy Programme (NILP). Making these sections of people literate, who remain illiterate due to various reasons such as socioeconomic conditions, family background, remoteness, etc., is indeed the biggest challenge for the department, but even so, it is essential. Without literacy, it is hard for them to live the life they want. Having the literacy skills to read, write, speak, and listen is extremely vital for one's all-round development in life. When one finds these things hard, then he or she struggles to learn. It affects one's confidence and self-esteem.It needs to be mentioned here that those who enjoy reading are three times more likely to have good mental well-being than those people who do not enjoy it. Literacy in India is a key for socioeconomic progress.Children, specifically in sar and hill areas, who gave up schooling because of the remoteness location of the schools need special attention as they are the future of the nation. The 2011 census indicated a 2001-2011 literacy growth of 9.2 percent, which is slower than the growth seen during the previous decade. An old analytical 1990 study estimated that it would take until 2060 for India to achieve universal literacy at the current rate of progress. What is needed is that the ongoing central scheme must be successful at any cost in achieving its goal to impart fundamental literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, and vocational schemes through voluntarism in a hybrid mode to adults who have not had the opportunity to go to schools. We must not forget that literacy empowers and liberates people. It improves one's life by expanding capabilities, which in turn reduces poverty, increases one's participation in the labour market while enhancing employability, and fosters economic growth, which is essential for overall social progress.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

Tight leash

In August 2024, a seven-year-old boy was mauled to death by a ferocious Pitbull dog at Goa's Anjuna. There were other sporadic incidents of Pitbull and Rottweiler dog breeds attacking people in the state. Now, in a significant step, the Goa government has decided to ban the import, sale, and breeding of Pitbulls and Rottweiler dogs for public safety and well-being. The Goa government is reportedly mulling extending the ban to some other breeds like Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, American bulldog, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Russian Shepherd. Existing owners of the dogs proposed to be banned should compulsorily register their pets with the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services department. They should also mandatorily sterilise their dogs to prevent breeding. Even the Centre had, in March 2024, issued orders banning the import of 24 fierce dogs, only to be overturned later by the Delhi High Court. Pet owners have to behave responsibly and keep their "terror" dogs on a tight leash. If they fail to do so, they too need to be booked by the authorities. Keeping dogs for love and safety is perfectly alright, but the owners cannot endanger the safety of the general public by being irresponsible and unaccountable. Of course, before tabling the Bill, stakeholders' opinions have to be heard. At any rate, strict and, at the same time, fair enforcement of the new law cannot be overstated.

Dr Ganapathi Bhat

(gbhat13@gmail.com)

Delhi gets a new CM

The selection of Rekha Gupta as Delhi’s CM is a testament to the growing leadership role of women. Her journey from a student leader to the CM’s chair exemplifies dedication, hard work, and the power of grassroots politics. She defeated three-time AAP MLA Bandana Kumari. She is a grassroots-level worker, having made her way up from the ABVP top, the Delhi BJP unit and the BJP Mahila Morcha. She is the second woman from Haryana to enter the office, following Ambala-resident Sushma Swaraj, who briefly served as Delhi CM. She started her political journey with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student body affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). She is the fourth woman CM of Delhi after Sheila Dikshit, Sushma Swaraj and Atishi Marlena.

Jubel D'Cruz,

(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)