Letters to the EDITOR: NIELIT: A milestone for Assam’s IT sector

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NIELIT: A milestone for Assam’s IT sector

I am writing to express my enthusiasm regarding the inauguration of the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) in Guwahati on January 3, 2025. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma graced the ceremony, marking a significant advancement for the region's IT and electronics sectors. NIELIT is poised to become a pivotal institution for skill development in electronics and information technology, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the Northeast into a hub for these industries. The institute aims to foster collaboration between academia and industry, thereby enhancing employability and contributing to the region’s economic growth.

During the event, Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the government’s commitment to infrastructure development in the Northeast, highlighting the substantial increase in funding for the region compared to previous administrations. He also mentioned that products manufactured in Assam, specifically semiconductor chips, are expected to be utilized in vehicles produced in Germany and the United States, underscoring the global potential of the state’s emerging tech industry. The inauguration of NIELIT, along with the launch of new trains and other infrastructure projects, reflects a comprehensive approach to regional development. These initiatives are anticipated to create job opportunities, attract investments, and position Assam as a key player in India’s IT and electronics landscape. As a resident of Guwahati, I am optimistic that these developments will usher in a new era of growth and prosperity for our state. I look forward to witnessing the positive impact of NIELIT on our local economy and the opportunities it will provide for our youth.

Mowsam Hazarika

Bharalumukh, Guwahati

Unavailability of course-related books

Through the columns of your esteemed publication, I wish to highlight a pressing issue faced by students pursuing higher education—the unavailability of course-related books in local bookstalls. Many students rely on these bookstalls for their academic needs, especially those who cannot afford expensive online platforms or international shipping costs. Unfortunately, finding essential textbooks and reference materials for higher studies has become increasingly difficult. This lack of access forces students to depend on photocopies, outdated editions, or unverified online resources, which compromise the quality of their learning.

This problem not only affects students but also dampens their academic motivation and progress. To address this, it is vital that bookshops collaborate with publishers and educational institutions to ensure a steady supply of updated course materials. Additionally, promoting local production of academic books and providing student discounts could alleviate this challenge. I urge the concerned authorities and stakeholders to take immediate action to resolve this issue, as access to quality education resources is a fundamental requirement for academic success.

Ankur Jyoti Das,

Cotton University

Safety first in water supply system

The recent recurrence of a major pipe burst incident in the city's Kharghuli area, which left several families homeless, causing widespread damage to property while triggering fear of potential landslides in the area, presents a grim picture of the Guwahati Jal Board's ad hoc approach to the problem. The editorial, 'Safety overhaul of Guwahati water supply system,' published in your esteemed daily on January 3, has rightly said that the water supply network lacks a centralized mechanism at the controlling waterworks to detect quickly pressure surge or loss of pressure due to suspected leakage in the pipeline. The taxpayers expect that such a mega public utility project involving a large population as targeted beneficiaries must be transparent to boost their confidence. But, sadly, the safety aspects, which are even more important in the area where water flow pressure surges from large pipes of reservoirs to small household pipes, have been kept aside, which resulted in the continuing incidents of pipe bursts of various magnitudes at different places in the city. While giving expeditious provision of water connection topmost priority, the Guwahati Jal Board must look at city residents as important stakeholders in the entire water supply projects, and they must create a citizen-friendly ecosystem both at its office and online to encourage the taxpayers to provide their feedback for overall improvement in the system. What is needed is authorities continuing to monitor the situation, and deficiencies either from a design point of view or in execution must be made foolproof through trained professionals while rehabilitation efforts for the displaced families are underway to prevent any further risks, including landslides, in the area in the near future.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

Cervix cancer awareness

January is a month that is designated as cervical health awareness month in general and cervix cancer awareness month in particular. The cervix, a female genital organ lying below the corpus of the uterus, is very prone to infection. It is the second most common cancer in women in India. In 2020, more than six lakh cervix cancer patients were diagnosed globally, of which more than three lakh succumbed to the disease. It is an accessible organ, and symptoms like postcoital bleeding are manifested early, so cancer screening has been a fairly successful story. Right from the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening to the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine administration, a great deal of work has ensured early diagnosis of the disease. All women above the age of 30 should be screened for cervical cancer. All women aged 21 to 29 should go for Pap tests every three years. Women in the age bracket of 25 to 65 have to have an HPV test every five years or a pap test every three years.  2 doses of HPV vaccine are recommended for girls aged 9 to 14 years with a gap of at least six months between them. If delayed, then the 15-45-year age group must have three doses every six months. Since screening and vaccination are always subject to "ifs" and "buts," it's always prudent to freely discuss the issues with the doctor. "Learn. Prevent. Screen." is the relevant theme for the cervix cancer awareness month.

Dr Ganapathi  Bhat

(gbhat13@gmail.com)

Make our laws gender neutral

Women commit heinous crimes against men only because the law blindly supports them. More than taking action on the woman, it's high time to take action on the laws that empower women to commit these crimes against men. Nikita Singhania, a Delhi resident, is a cunning woman who used the female victim card to escape her deeds to harass her husband, Atul Suresh Singhania, who had been working in Bengaluru before he took his own life. She should be put behind bars for her entire life for abetting her husband to commit suicide. Harassment and maintenance laws in India should be made gender neutral, and innocent men should be protected as per law. Unless and until we the people, the government, and the lawmakers make amendments in the judicial system and constitution to make laws equal for men and women, nothing is going to change, and women will continue to put the blame on men.

Jubel D'Cruz,

(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)