Letters to the Editor: Jai Jawan Vs Jai Kishan

Today we pay our homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birthday. An embodiment of simplicity, honesty and humility, he will be remembered for the famous slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kishan'. As Shastriji took over the prime ministership, India was attacked by Pakistan. Apart from the defence concern, there was a scarcity of food grains. Hence he gave the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' exhorting the soldiers to defend India and simultaneously urging the farmers to produce more. The slogan enthused the whole nation. It also naturally built a very emotive bond of brotherhood between the soldiers and the farmers. This bond has grown from strength to strength and has sustained to this day.

No wonder the nation was shocked when an Army Convoy was stopped from proceeding ahead by the agitating farmers at Jalandhar on 27 September. While the farmers have all the rights to protest, it was somewhat unexpected that they went to the extent of stopping an army convoy. Thus they have disrespected the bond of brotherhood, broken the unshakable trust and in the bargain only sullied their image.

We applaud the sacrifices and contributions of our Jawans and Kishan's. But the emotional exploitation of the slogans like 'Jai Jawan Jai Kishan' by some vested groups is deplorable. This is also provocatively buttressed with as to how Punjab contributes the most for both but gets little in reciprocation. This is being stressed to the extreme and exploited for emotional blackmailing. Presently both in food self-sufficiency and in the Armed Forces, other states are not behind. The number of Punjabis joining the army is comparatively lesser. This of course is due to several political, economical and other policy-driven factors.

To say that the soldiers are more patriotic or that the farmers are Anna Data is demeaning others. It is ridiculous and is tantamount to putting a price tag on their honesty, integrity and sacrifices and they emotionally blackmailing for compensation!

To be honest the personnel of PMFs or police face similar hardships and risks. So do the high-rise construction labourers or a lineman in the electricity board. Labourers are Anna Data for their families as they pay for what they eat. A sewage cleaner does his job against all odds, facing indignity, social discrimination and above all taking severe risks to life. He thus saves us from those risks, health hazards and inconvenience just to earn a few pieces of bread/bowls of rice for himself and his family. Then I as a farmer-cum-soldier, I am both, want to deny him his honour, dignity and his self-esteem by claiming that I am his Anna Data and Saviour? I would not feel comfortable doing so!

This stopping of the army convoy is like an attempt at pitching the soldiers against the farmers. It's not an encouraging endeavour. We will appeal to all right-minded people to discourage and condemn such misdemeanours.

Col Balen Chandra Das (Retd),

Guwahati

Infiltrators

Through your esteemed daily, I have many queries to the so-called andolanjibi. But I am not going to that part. Regarding infiltrators, supposed we have fenced our border with Bangladesh, but what about West Bengal? These infiltrators are financed by the so-called saviour of infiltrators, right from Delhi, who immediately came to Assam after the Garukhuti incident. West Bengal border is porous, and we all know that these infiltrators of Bangladesh are completely supported by the Trinamul. They boarded a Guwahati-bound train, came to Guwahati and blended with the Assamese population. Trinamool will get support from the Raijor Dal shortly. Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi, as we all know, fought against the government to save the infiltrators who encroached upon Kaziranga, met Mamata Banerjee. So, to save Assam, all the true Assamese people who love their state should discard the so-called andolanjibi and the political party that is trying to patch up with Congress.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rightly said (published on the front page of The Sentinel on October 10, 2021) that they (infiltrators) have their eyes set on 'Assembly domination' by 2050. It is high time we raised our voices.

S Chakraborty,

Adabari

Rat race

Slowly dust seems to settle down after the Dholpur eviction. But a rat race has started among the so-called secular forces along with AIUDF and Congress, in particular, to woo the evicted people with doubtful nationality to their fold. Recently a team of AIUDF legislators along with their masters in Delhi paid a visit to Dholpur with aids. AIUDF in the meantime has announced cash of Rs 20,000 to each of the evicted people, including the injured Assam police personnel, an Inspector, named Md Rahman, who at present is undergoing treatment at the GMCH with a severe head injury. We also know that along with Rahman 10 other Assam policemen were also injured grievously and are undergoing treatment elsewhere. Interestingly, Md Rahman of Assam Police was offered the cash as compensation, leaving the rest of the injured police personnel high and dry. The open discrimination by AIUDF in this regard simply exposes their narrow ideologies. Md Rahman as a true Axomiya and Assam policeman flatly refused the cash offer which should make every Axomiya proud. Now we are expecting Bhupen Bora and Co to outsmart AIUDF in the rat race of providing relief. The winner of this rat race ought to be rewarded by the sons of the soil. Another entrant that we are expecting soon to join the rat race is TMC that had won the last Assembly election in the state of West Bengal with the supports of this above mentioned religious community.

Just wait and see.

Lanu Dutta Chowdhury,

Asom.

'Sari' is smart and sattvic, why object to it?

In Indian dress, sari for women and sadara-lenga or dhotar for men are considered sattvic. Also in this, the person looks very nice. Foreigners are also attracted to these costumes. So, they wear it with great interest. The head of this sattvic attire is unmatched by any other attire. Many people wear this sattvic attire on the occasion of festivals, auspicious deeds etc. If you wear this dress on another day, there is nothing wrong with it. Also, the person who does this is not old-fashioned at all. For jobs - a business many women wear Punjabi dresses due to the rush to travel to the place of business- jobs and the strenuous exercise that has to be done ahead of time.

The woman, who was wearing a sari, was denied entry to the Aquila restaurant at Ansal Plaza in Delhi. The woman was barred from entering the hotel, saying the sari was not a 'smart dress' when she was denied entry. This was followed by a new controversy. This can happen in India. This is evident from this. The restaurant, which operates without a 'health trade license', was closed by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation on notice. How about a smart dress with only suit-boot-tie (for men) and shirt-pants-coat (for women)? Saree is smart as well as sattvic. Standing in front of two differently dressed women will make the truth clear. Anyone l will say who looks good in which outfit? It is illogical to deny entry to a restaurant by wearing a sari. People go here to eat. So what has he got to do with the outfit?

The receptionists at the receptions of many five-star hotels in India are in sarees. They greet the Indian and foreign cricket team players who come to their hotel. What is special is that they are in sarees at that time as usual. The pictures of which have been seen by everyone in the media. The dress code does not apply to restaurants. That's not the school to be. Why do you hate sattvic attire? This is what they should say. Also, those who object to the sari should accept the sari. In fact, society should force such people to do so. There is no reason to object to sattvic attire. But those who create controversy by objecting should be taught to respect the importance of the sari by forcing it to be studied.

Jayesh Rane,

Mumbai

The role of language professionals and translation

I still remember when I got a book as a prize which was in Assamese during my school days. The original book was "When daddy was a little boy" but I got the Assamese version as a prize. That time I realized the importance of translation. We are aware that any language is important for us if we learn it and make use of the language. There cannot be any language like mother tongue but there are many mother languages which mean that all languages are important and they are the most intangible heritage. It is interesting to learn that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights holds the Guinness World Record as the most translated document as it exists in more than 500 languages.

A country like India where languages and dialects change after kilometres is the best example of practising multi-language. Similarly, the United Nations is one of the world's largest employers of language professionals. We should know that there are six official languages of the UN - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. The best part is that a delegate may speak in any official UN language. The speech is interpreted simultaneously into the other official languages of the UN.

International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to the development and strengthening world peace and security. Transposition of a literary or scientific work, including technical work, from one language into another language, professional translation, including translation proper, interpretation and terminology, is indispensable to preserving clarity, a positive climate and productiveness in international public discourse and interpersonal communication.

Thus, on 24 May 2017, the UN's General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development, and declared 30th September as International Translation Day. 30 September celebrates the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator, who is considered the patron saint of translators.

St. Jerome was a priest from North-eastern Italy, who is known mostly for his endeavour of translating most of the Bible into Latin from the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. He also translated parts of the Hebrew Gospel into Greek. He was of Illyrian ancestry and his native tongue was the Illyrian dialect. He learned Latin in school and was fluent in Greek and Hebrew, which he picked up from his studies and travels. Jerome died near Bethlehem on 30 September 420.

There is growing awareness that languages play a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, but also in attaining quality education for all and strengthening cooperation, in building inclusive knowledge societies and preserving cultural heritage, and in mobilizing political will for applying the benefits of science and technology to sustainable development.

An essential factor in harmonious communication among peoples, multilingualism is also regarded by the United Nations General Assembly as a core value of the Organization. By promoting tolerance, multilingualism ensures effective and increased participation of all in the Organization's work, as well as greater effectiveness, better performance and improved transparency.

The translation is important as we learn about others easily. In today's digital age things are easy to get online but still, translation is important and needed. The day is an opportunity for us to raise awareness and we can make translation works which will help us to learn things in our own languages apart from learning one or two languages. We have an award for translation work and the prominent one is Sahitya Akademi's Award for translation in India.

Ranjan K Baruah

Guwahati.

Bonhomie, chord

The two words 'Bonhomie' and 'Cordially' are usually used to show a friendly relationship between two or more nations and people. Since Narendra Modi took over as PM of the nation our nation is enjoying both the above words in the bond of friendship with the US, starting from Obama, Trump to the Biden era, which no other past PM could develop. One must admit that the USA is the superpower of the world at present. Previously, we all know that India was not in the good book of the USA because of its proximity with the then USSR. Now with the sheer diplomatic acumen of the present incumbent India has finally managed to be in the good books of the US. Modi in fact has made both the USA and Russia friendly with us which is of utmost importance after the recent Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and China-Pakistan bonhomie.

We feel that all oppositions, Congress, SP, Leftists, in particular, should at least laud if they think and feel for the welfare of the nation but sadly, they will not do as they are by habitual and by compulsion Modi baiters. But we have to call spade a spade.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Relevance of Mahatma

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed – Mahatma Gandhi

We all know that human greed is like a serpent (of dissatisfaction and restlessness) that bites our conscience and makes us blindfolded with all the uncontrollable 'Maya (illusion) of being outward/materialistically richer among others in this society. Though sounds philosophical, yet it is, indeed, bitter yet true that many among us run after the competition of acquiring 'some more' (wealth and comfort) in this so-called 'jungle' of concrete society where, (very peculiarly), success is, callously, judged by any individual's increase in wealth and riches. If that's the criteria of measuring any person's success in life, then, one must look back at Mahatma Gandhi and try to understand his universally relevant 'talisman' of not comparing own grief and weaknesses with others tremendous success, instead, it tells us to see others who are in grief and helplessness – reach near them and serve them as 'eshwar'.

Bapu has rightly said, "You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." So, it is our moral duty, to be honest within and behave with Non-Violence – verbally as well as in our thoughts, words and action. Today's world is troubled by violence and hatred; jealousy and dissatisfaction, and I am sure, the ideology and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi could only make everything alright, or else no goodness will prevail amidst all negative effects of this ever-growing cut-throat competition around the globe.

Time is precious and we all have to save this world and restore humanity among each other. The Mahatma has, indeed, opined, "The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane." Moreover, today's world has become a nearly unsolved jigsaw puzzle of thoughts, words and action and the people, too, are always running short of time regarding their moral duties and responsibilities towards this earth and environment; flora and fauna and all living beings. Hence, it is our honest role and contribution towards this society that determine our 'bonafide' success – incomparable, matchless and inspiring and sans any question of the long list of wealth and riches and all other so-called aristocratic comforts. Let's revive Gandhian principles in our day-to-day dealings. Come and make this world a better place to live in with all 'tyag & tapasya'! Let's take a 'sankalpa' (vow) not to be self-centred and a mere 'bread earner' but also a genuine human being.

In this way, undoubtedly, all our temporary miseries will be replaced by a strengthened and consolidated 'human entity. Truly, Bapu believed: "A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes."

Jayanta Topadar

(topadarj023@gmail.com)