Letters to the Editor: Is APDCL listening?

Is APDCL listening?

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to bring to light the utter negligence and indifferent attitude shown by the APDCL Hojai branch towards the general public, especially the residents of Bishnupally, Hojai.

On the night of Thursday, from 10 PM onwards, a peculiar electricity issue arose in our locality. While some houses continued to have power, others were left in complete darkness. Upon contacting the APDCL Hojai office, we were informed that the issue was due to a jumper problem. Despite repeated requests for assistance, considering the plight of students preparing for exams and elderly residents suffering in the heat, the officials blatantly refused to help.

What was even more disappointing was their rude response. Instead of understanding the urgency, they arrogantly told us to wait till morning, stating they “don’t want to come” at night. Is this how a public utility service should function? Is APDCL meant to serve only the elite or influential, while the common people are expected to suffer in silence? Electricity is not a luxury; it is a basic need. When government officials, paid by taxpayers’ money, start discriminating in service delivery, it raises serious concerns about accountability and ethics. We urge the higher authorities to take immediate action against such unprofessional behaviour and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their social or economic status, are treated with equal respect and urgency.

Nilim Kashyap Barthakur, Hojai 

Mystery of crash at takeoff

The tragic plane crash that occurred near the Ahmedabad airport in Gujarat on Thursday has shocked the nation. The London-bound Air India flight AI 171 was carrying over 242 passengers. The plane crashed seconds after takeoff. Was the Ahmedabad plane crash caused by negligence, a technical fault or some other reason? The biggest question being asked about this accident is how the plane crashed as soon as it took off. Takeoff is considered to be the most critical stage of a flight. You need to know why it is called that. According to aviation experts, at the time of takeoff, the engines of the plane are at full speed, which increases the stress on the plane’s system. Due to this stress, the chances of engine failure or loss of control of the aircraft can increase. If the aircraft goes out of control at high speed, it becomes difficult to control it again. When the aircraft takes off, it is in a controlled environment, but as soon as it reaches the air, it is in an uncontrolled environment, which can have a negative impact on the capability of the aircraft. The weight of the aircraft at the time of takeoff is also an important factor which can affect the flight of the aircraft. When the plane is prepared for flying, it is fully filled with fuel. One and a quarter lakh litres of fuel are filled in a Boeing Dreamliner. This quantity is approximately 1 lakh kg in kilograms. There were 242 people on board the plane that crashed. If the average weight of a passenger is considered to be 70 kg, then this weight becomes 16,940 kg. Boeing Dreamliner can also carry a cargo of up to 10,000 kg. The weight of this plane is 1 lakh 15 thousand kg. If all these figures are added together, then at the time of takeoff, on average, a Boeing Dreamliner plane weighs between 2 lakh 25 thousand kg and 2 lakh 42 thousand kg. This weight is called ‘maximum takeoff weight’ in technical language. If the plane is not able to attain the required speed for liftoff with so much weight during flight, then the weight can also become a reason for the plane to crash, and if the plane is overweight, i.e., its weight is more than the maximum limit, then also the weight can become the reason for the crash during takeoff. 

Bhagwan Thadani,

(bhagwan_thadani@yahoo.co.in)

Oh! Indian Football

India, once the powerhouse of Asian football and winner of the Asia Cup trophy in the sixties, is now struggling to qualify for the same. In the sixties, Indian football was studded with the likes of Peter Thangaraj, Arun Ghosh, Jarnail Singh, PK Banerjee, Chunni Goswami, Tulsidas Balram, Syed Nayeemuddin, etc., to name a few who made India a force to reckon with in Asian football.

Now the situation has changed drastically, with Indian football touching the nadir, even when trying to qualify for the Asia Cup, which they won on past occasions. The recent performances of the Indian soccer team in the ongoing AFC Asia Cup qualifiers 2027 are pathetic, as so far India is winless after being held to a draw by minnows like Bangladesh and losing to Hong Kong in the last second minute of the match. The reason for the downfall of football in our country may be due to a lack of glamour and cash, unlike cricket. AIFF has failed to draw talents from the juniors and groom them into future stars. The inconsequential Tri-Nation tournament trophy and SAFF championship victories in 2023 matter minimally. The senior India team was ranked 99th in FIFA rankings some two to three years back, but at present it is lying in 127th position, which is very unfortunate.

So, it is a wake-up call for Kalyan Chaubey, president of AIFF. Else, the future of Indian football will be completely dead and buried. I am writing this letter with a heavy heart.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury, Guwahati

Air tragedy in Ahmedabad 

I am writing this letter to express my profound sorrow and shock at the tragic loss of lives in the Air India flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad. This devastating accident, which occurred shortly after takeoff from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, claimed the lives of 241 people on board, including passengers and crew. Only one passenger survived, a British national. The crash occurred after the Boeing 787-8 aircraft plummeted into the B.J. Medical College hostel mess, causing a massive explosion and a towering plume of smoke. A Mayday call was issued by the pilots, but the aircraft went silent shortly before the crash. 

The accident has sent shockwaves across the nation, and the loss of lives is a profound tragedy. My thoughts are with the families of those who were tragically lost and with the one survivor who miraculously escaped the fiery crash. 

This horrific incident highlights the importance of prioritising aviation safety and ensuring the highest standards of maintenance and operational procedures. It is crucial that the authorities launch a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this accident and take steps to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. 

The incident has also brought the city of Ahmedabad to a standstill, with rescue and relief operations underway. 

This is perhaps one of the worst civil aviation disasters in the country and a loss for India and the aviation industry.

To enhance aviation safety, the authorities should focus on robust training, infrastructure upgrades, enhanced collaboration, accountability, and embracing new technologies. This includes implementing effective Safety Management Systems (SMS), encouraging open communication and reporting, and promoting a positive safety culture.

Jubel D’Cruz,

(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)

Pineapple Production – What Next?

The Chief Minister’s recent announcement that Assam ranks second in the country in pineapple production, with over 2.96 lakh metric tonnes produced in 2022–23, is welcome news. However, beyond expressing joy, concrete steps are urgently needed.

Despite high production, there has been little focus on establishing food processing industries or cold storage facilities to support farmers. Why hasn’t the government initiated small- or medium-scale units for producing pineapple juice, squash, canned slices, jams, or dried products? Such value-added products have strong market potential and can significantly boost the rural economy. Instead of setting up polluting factories, Assam should focus on agro-based industries using its own fruits and crops. The government must move beyond celebrating numbers and formulate a roadmap to harness this opportunity for employment generation, fair farmer prices, and sustainable economic growth.

Mowsam Hazarika 

Bharalumukh, Guwahati