Letters to the Editor: Neematighat boat capsize

The tragic incident that happened in Neematighat is very unfortunate. It seems it was as if the incident was invited to take place. In this season the mighty Brahmaputra is in high spate. Only a few days ago the ferry services resumed. Why are safe RORO vessels and RoPax ferries kept standing in Neematighat after spending a lot of money for passengers' safety? It seems their services are discontinued only to serve the vested interests of private ferries. This is very clear, and the result is this tragedy. The Government should act now and direct the district administrations of both Jorhat and Majuli to see what is going wrong in the ferry services.

No one has the right to play with people's lives.

The services of modern vessels and ferries like RORO and RoPax are a great help to the inhabitants of Majuli to reach Neematighat in Jorhat in some 45 to 50 minutes whereas the small private ferries generally take 110 minutes, that too, after they fill the ferries with people to the full. There is no timetable. A ferry that should leave at 8:30 am leaves only at 9:30 am only to take more passengers and vehicles. Thus, the passengers are left at the mercy of the private ferry owners. The general people of Majuli will have to move at the time fixed by these cartels. The timing of these modern and safe RORO and RoPax got changed from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm over time from Majuli only to serve the vested interests of a few. The 8:30 am ferry serves everyone well for all those going to the office, school and colleges in Jorhat. But it has dented the business of the private ferries and they ganged up to first change the timings of the modern vessels and gradually stop them and make them stand idle in the ghats. The same is the case from Neematighat end. The consequence of all this has resulted in the tragedy where so many lives got lost. It is indeed puzzling to think how the administration kept blind to all these developments, leaving all the modern, safe and speedy and time-saving vessels remain idle and allow the dangerous unsafe ferries to operate. It requires a thorough investigation. The guilty should get punished.

Further, why are life jackets not compulsory in riding such ferries? It is very dangerous to ride in ferries in such a high current without life jackets. The authority concerned should have made wearing life jackets compulsory. Had all the passengers been clad with lifejackets, many of them would have survived.

Sumitav Saikia,

Konnwarpur, Sivasagar

Uses of high-decibel

loudspeakers

A rich and developed country Norway has a rule against the unnecessary use of horns and other loud activities that cause impacts the daily life of people. On the other hand, in India, such activities get different positions. The use of mike and other high-decibel sound gazettes in ritual places harms students, patients, and elderly ones. In Assam, naamghars, temples, masjids use play mikes and microphones throughout the day on some occasions. It is torture for examinees and heart patients. So I urge the authority concerned that they should take necessary steps to control such activities to stop unnecessary noise.

Aditya Ankur Nath,

Tezpur

Increasing air pollution

It is a fact that India ranks in one of the top positions in terms of pollution. Recent studies say obese children have a 79 per cent greater chance of having asthma. A great example of the effects of air pollution in New Delhi's smog. It results in causing many accidents every year, due to poor visibility. It has now become a matter of concern, with the steady reopening of schools, colleges, markets, etc, the level of air pollution may rise again as it was before the pandemic. Authorities Concerned should take more appropriate measures to control air pollution.

Aaditya Dutta,

Dhubri.

Conducting exams

Gauhati University has given notice that the final examinations of degree fourth and second semesters will start from 20 September. According to Government orders, college classes have started on September 6, and the same day the notice of the final examination has arrived. Normally, semesters are about 6 months, but now only in 15 days, a semester will end. What will happen to the students because of all this? Due to the pandemic, students have gone through so much that now the pressure of studies has grown even more. And universities are conducting exams just to bridge the time gap. They aren't paying attention to students' education. Above all, they will conduct an online open-book examination. We all know how online examinations work. Students will pass by giving online examinations, but they will not learn anything. Due to this pandemic and the negligence of the university, the lives of the students are affecting so much.

Parilina Das,

Mirza

Bravehearts needed

There are not many people who would take a bullet for their motherland. The army with its height and fitness requirements makes it even lesser. The Indian army has a height requirement of 5 feet 6 inches which is normal Indian height. The problem with these requirements is that they lose some Bravehearts because of these. Height is never the indicator of the strength and courage a person possess. We have already seen the much shorter Chinese army proving themselves stronger than our Indian forces in the hand-to-hand battle. I think the Indian army should ponder over these things and restructure their requirements so that more Bravehearts join in to serve the motherland.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur