Letters to the EDITOR: Future of Assamese children's magazines

Future of Assamese children's magazines

Recently, a standard Assamese children's magazine (comics), 'Rangman,' ceased publication due to low circulation and, to some extent, the indifference of the Assamese community. We have already lost many children's magazines in the past, and the few that remain are struggling to survive. However, we must remember that without quality children's magazines, the world of literature will be engulfed in darkness. Children are the pillars of the future.

The decline of Assamese children's magazines like Rangman is a worrying trend, reflecting broader challenges in print media. If we analyse the underlying reasons for the decline of Assamese children's magazines, we find that the rise of AI and smartphones plays a significant role. The new generation is drifting away from print media, lured by the colourful digital world. Children now prefer video games and smartphone entertainment over magazines and printed books.

Actually, the future of Assamese children's magazines hinges on innovation, community support, and digital adaptation. While smartphones and AI are formidable rivals, they can also be tools-not threats-if used wisely. Without nurturing young readers, the Assamese literary ecosystem risks losing its next generation of thinkers and creators.

Akash Pratim Sensua

Shivasagar University, Joysagar

Let NE be a global sports hub

There is no doubt that there is no dearth of sports talent in the Northeast states. What is needed is to tap the potential of the region. The Union Cabinet's recent approval of the National Sports Policy 2025 is a benchmark initiative to reshape sports governance in the country, and its decision to organise Khelo India Northeast Games in one of the eight states annually is undoubtedly a major policy push, which not only helps promote sporting events but also provides a perfect platform for showcasing the region's various colourful traditional sports. The establishment of three National Centres of Excellence at Guwahati, Imphal, and Itanagar is the right step in the direction to facilitate intensive training of thousands of athletes from the NE. The July 17 editorial, 'Roadmap for Sports in the Northeast,' has rightly highlighted the new policy's proposal for integrating sports into school curriculum, equipped with specialised educators and physical education teachers, which aims to harness the hidden sports talent in students belonging to marginalised and downtrodden communities. Now, a serious question arises: what about the capital city Guwahati, where real estate pressure leads to the vanishing of community playgrounds? As a result, children are compelled to stop playing outdoor games, resulting in serious health hazards. As urbanization is expanding rapidly, there is an urgent need for legal mandatory provisions for the creation of sports playgrounds and complexes in each apartment ward of municipal bodies, making them accessible for the community's children for sports activities without any hindrance, which is another important need to prevent the young boys and girls from getting addicted to digital screens and stress. When sports activities start flourishing in every nook and corner of the region, the sports landscape will create an environment of competition and finally help the region grow into a strong talent pool for the entire country, which is the need of the hour as India is hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and is a strong contender for the 2036 Olympic Games. Sports and games nurture a healthy body and healthy mind, which assume paramount significance for one's all-round development. One should not deny the fact that achieving success in a sport and fitness goal also encourages one to achieve other goals set.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

NH-37 already crumbling

It is a matter of grave concern that within merely three months of the completion of the four-lane National Highway 37, certain portions of the road at Teok township have already started sinking, and in some other stretches, the blacktopping has peeled off, making repairs necessary at such an early stage. This early deterioration not only raises serious questions about the quality of construction but also exposes the negligent and careless approach adopted by M.P. Agarwal Construction Company. The fact that a project of such significance and public importance has shown visible signs of damage so soon after its inauguration reflects a possible collusion, lack of proper supervision, and an intentional compromise with construction standards. The taxpayers' money cannot be allowed to go to waste due to such deceitful practices. Therefore, it is imperative that the concerned government department conduct a thorough investigation and hold the said construction company and the supervising engineer accountable for this irresponsible and fraudulent work. Strict legal and financial action must be taken to ensure that such substandard execution does not go unpunished and to set an example for future projects.

Dipen Gogoi,

Teok, Jorhat

Glaring similarities

A study of Assam history tells us that there are glaring similarities between Bharat Ratna, the first CM of Assam, Lt. Gopinath Bordoloi, and the present incumbent. Both faced and are still facing the problems of massive infiltration of people belonging to linguistic minority communities of doubtful nationality. During Lt. Bordoloi's tenure as CM, it was Sir Sadullah and Bhasani Co. who tried to make Assam a part of the then East Pakistan, and now it is the three Gogois who have conspired to make Assam a place where the linguistic minority people become the majority so that they can occupy Dispur. It is high time that the All Assam Student Union (AASU), Asom Jatiyabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Axam Xahitya Xabha, Bir Lachit Sena, etc., should all come out on the streets, openly supporting the eviction drive. Today we are blessed that we have a strong CM who is ready to take the bull by its horn. Else all will be lost, as evidenced by the hostile attitude of the illegal encroachers in Goalpara and Dhubri. ULFA's stoic silence in this regard is very regrettable. JOI AI ASOM.

JOEL GOYARI,

TANGLA.

More humane eviction

We are human beings-capable of love, empathy, and compassion. These qualities define our humanity. Regardless of legal status, the people being evicted in this sweltering summer deserve humane treatment. Imagine if they were all recognised as Bangladeshis-would that strip them of the right to dignity and mercy? Would we treat them differently if we stood in their place?

The heat burns them as it does us. Children are forced to abandon their studies; families are left without shelter. If eviction was unavoidable, it should have been deferred until January, allowing students to complete their academic year. Rehabilitation should have been thoughtfully planned, with land and resources allocated to ensure a humane transition.

We Assamese must not forget the historic AASU-led movement of 1979, a six-year struggle to identify and deport illegal immigrants, culminating in the 1985 Assam Accord. Yet, decades have passed and little has been done. AGP, despite ruling the state twice, failed to act. The BJP, both at the Centre and in Assam, promised action. Modi's 2014 pledge to deport Bangladeshis remains unfulfilled even after multiple missed deadlines.

The NRC was initiated but left incomplete. The Biplab Sharma committee lies forgotten. These actions-or inactions-have turned a serious issue into political drama, while vulnerable people suffer.

If justice is to be done, let it not come at the cost of compassion.

Prafulla Dowarah

Guwahati