Letters to the Editor: Preserve Dikhow river bridge

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Preserve Dikhow river bridge

The Dikhow River Bridge, built in 1935 during the British era, has a historical significance and great architectural value. Instead of demolition, it is better to preserve and restore this 90-year-old bridge as a nostalgic landmark for our new generation. The bridge may be converted into a footbridge for the pedestrians after proper repair and renovation. To control the traffic congestion, another concrete bridge may be constructed near this old bridge. If we dismantle such types of age-old monuments of the state, we cannot revert it back. Scientific preservation efforts and potential recognition are highly solicited from the government for this unique vertical lift bridge, which is considered one of the rich legacies of Assam.

Rupak G. Duarah,

Rajahnagar, Guwahati 

Journalist assault sparks outcry

I would like to express my concern regarding the safety of journalists in Assam, especially after the recent incident involving a journalist from Prag News in Silapathar. The journalist was simply doing his job—covering a panchayat meeting—when he was allegedly assaulted. His only "fault" was exposing the truth, including questioning the student organisation's unexpected interference. This led to violent and unjust retaliation by TMPK (Tekam Mising Porin Kebang) leaders after certain inhumane acts were revealed.

The most disappointing part is that the attackers claimed they were not at fault. They tried to shift the blame onto the journalist and Prag News, expecting the public to believe their version. They present themselves as educated and socially aware, but their actions were completely unacceptable and go against the principles of democracy and free speech. If educated individuals behave in such a violent and intolerant manner, then we must ask—why do they fear the truth being shown to the public? And if such attacks go unpunished, can we really say that journalists are safe in Assam? I request the authorities to take strong and immediate action. If no steps are taken, it will send a wrong message and make it clear that journalists are not safe even while doing their job responsibly.

Darshana Das,

Cotton University 

A memorable ‘Pahila Bohag’ initiative

During the last 'Pahila Bohag' (April 15, 2025), I had the privilege of assisting in organising a unique community event in my native village. This initiative, led by the 'Education and Library Sub-committee' of the 'Batabari Yuvak Sangha,' aimed to revive the 'Jnandayinee Puthibharal,' a library that was established in 1950 in Batabari village near historic Patharughat in Darrang district.

The event featured a community book donation drive and an educational lecture programme, both actively supported by the local youth dedicated to the educational, intellectual, and mental development of the rural students. Organizers distributed invitation letters to every household in the village, requesting a minimum donation of one book, which met with an overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic response from the villagers.

Kamalakanta Deka, Secretary of 'Nandanik Sahitya Chora, Patharughat, Darrang,' delivered a compelling, hour-long lecture, emphasising the importance of rural libraries, reading books, and book preservation, greatly benefiting the students. In addition to the villagers' contributions, invited guests also generously donated bundles of books to the library. Over 500 books were donated to the library on that day. This event echoed a similar successful book donation programme organized by the villagers in 2000 to expand the library's collection. I feel truly fortunate to have been part of organising this unique event, which revived the village library and fostered a stronger reading culture among the younger generation in the village, on the auspicious first day of this Assamese New Year.

Dheeraj Deka,

Dighirpar, Darrang

Musk’s third-party illusion

This refers to ‘America Party is formed (July 07); no third party has sustained meaningful political ground in the U.S. since the Civil War, with over 98 percent of congressional seats remaining locked between Democrats and Republicans. Musk-led ventures, like Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, and X, have received over $38 billion in funding from the U.S. government. Thus, his criticism of Trump’s ‘big beautiful’ reforms rings hollow in light of how much he has benefited from that very system. This only has deepened public mistrust, especially among the U.S. working class. In addition, his fallout with Trump makes this new party feel more like another vanity project backed by the ultra-rich.

Sagartirtha Chakraborty

(sagar.t.chakraborty@gmail.com)

Frequent power cuts in Silpukhuri

During the last 'Pahila Bohag' (April 15, 2025), I had the privilege of assisting in organising a unique community event in my native village. This initiative, led by the 'Education and Library Sub-committee' of the 'Batabari Yuvak Sangha,' aimed to revive the 'Jnandayinee Puthibharal,' a library that was established in 1950 in Batabari village near historic Patharughat in Darrang district. The event featured a community book donation drive and an educational lecture programme, both actively supported by the local youth dedicated to the educational, intellectual, and mental development of the rural students. Organizers distributed invitation letters to every household in the village, requesting a minimum donation of one book, which met with an overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic response from the villagers.

Kamalakanta Deka, Secretary of 'Nandanik Sahitya Chora, Patharughat, Darrang,' delivered a compelling, hour-long lecture, emphasising the importance of rural libraries, reading books, and book preservation, greatly benefiting the students. In addition to the villagers' contributions, invited guests also generously donated bundles of books to the library. Over 500 books were donated to the library on that day. This event echoed a similar successful book donation programme organized by the villagers in 2000 to expand the library's collection. I feel truly fortunate to have been part of organising this unique event, which revived the village library and fostered a stronger reading culture among the younger generation in the village, on the auspicious first day of this Assamese New Year.

Abhilasha Mohan

(abhilashamohan15@gmail.com)

Revitalizing Guwahati

It was indeed a matter of great pleasure for the city dwellers that Guwahati has made another significant milestone for urban infrastructure when it added the Bhagadatta II flyover at Rukminigaon. Definitely, it was a long-felt demand of the people who used to travel between Dispur and Six Mile, the most congested stretches.

With the inauguration of the four-lane, 600-meter-long flyover, the problem of traffic congestion is expected to be eased in the area. Now, one has to wait and watch till their notion proves correct. The state government's priority to make available the facilities for the public must be appreciated. Indeed, the transformation of Guwahati, gateway to the Southeast, gained momentum when the BJP came to power. Today, Guwahati has emerged as a vibrant metropolis, rich in culture and steeped in history. Over the years, the city has grappled with a series of infrastructure improvements that lagged behind its rapid growth, leaving residents feeling the brunt of the challenges. Flooding in Guwahati is not just a natural hazard. It is a man-made crisis, worsened by poor planning and short-term decision-making. We need sustainable urban planning that respects natural ecosystems and anticipates climate change. It is of the utmost importance to protect the city from recurring flood disasters.

The frequency of artificial flooding in areas like Anil Nagar, Chandmari, Hatigaon, Rukminigaon, and Satgaon almost after every shower of rain is perhaps the most visible consequence of ineffective urban planning in the capital city. As Guwahati grows rapidly, lack of foresight and inadequate infrastructure have made Guwahati increasingly vulnerable to heavy rains and stormwater overflow.

A lot of works are yet to be initiated in the right direction across the city to address core vulnerabilities like drainage, solid waste management, and protection of water bodies. If Singapore could transform from a flood-prone city into one of the most flood-resilient urban centres in Asia, why do we not if our urban planning is backed by science, investing in massive drainage projects, adopting zero tolerance for encroachment, and integrating water bodies into city design?

At the same time, public awareness and civic responsibility are equally vital for controlling the artificial flooding problem in Guwahati. Residents' behavioural change is the first and foremost need if we are to resolve the city's clogged drainage and other easily eye-catching issues. Let us hope the government will prioritise and reflect the realities on the ground to transform Guwahati into a model of resilience, sustainability, and equity in the near future. We can no longer see our dear city standing at a crossroads.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati

Disappearing bird songs

There are melodies the morning no longer brings. Songs that once poured from the skies now exist only in memory. Wings that once danced across sun-silvered skies are now folded forever. Trees still sway, oceans still roar—but some birds are gone, and others, gasping, are on their way. The melodies that have fallen silent and those who sing are singing on borrowed time.

Monsoon mornings are often veiled by the chirping of the spotted dove (kopou), often seen perched on rooftops of almost every Assam-type house.

Birds become familiar to a child right from its bedtime stories. From Lakhminath Bezboruah's one of the most iconic works, 'Burhi aaai r Xadhu.' We know the Quail bird by

" Hur Hur bota sorai,

Mur dhan nakhabi,

Tuk dim guta korai" under the title 'Sampawati' and 'Siloni r jiyekor Xadhu', where Siloni is a kite or a falcon, where the kite nurtures a girl as her daughter reflects the warmth of the relation.

Once, the sky knew the shadow of the passenger pigeon—not one but millions, swirling in flocks so vast that they turned the day into dusk. Their flight was a thunderstorm of feathers. But greed is a fast hunter. By 1914, the last one named Martha died alone in a zoo. She never saw the sky again.

‘The great Auk’, a flightless seabird with eyes like polished coal, no longer waddles through icy Atlantic cliffs, gentle and curious!

The final pair was killed in 1844, their egg crushed, their story ended not with a storm, but with a careless foot.

Similar to more birds like the Laysan Rail, the Gram Kingfisher, disappearing in silence.

Extinctions can be avoided, but sometimes, it's just a song no one hears anymore.

But in the shadow of all that loss, with arising awareness, there are still birds who sing softly.

The kakapo, New Zealand's mossy-green flightless parrot, moves through the night like a feathered whisper. It smells like earth after rain and wears a look of polite surprise. At one point, only 49 remained, but with proper attention and care, their numbers increased. Today, each one has a name, a tracker, and a promise by a nation of caretakers.

In the Philippines, the Philippine eagle still soars, feathers flaring like sunfire, talons curved like fate. It is called Haribon—King of Birds. But with each forest that falls, it loses its throne.

The California Condor, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, the Forest Owlet—they are fighting every thread, not because of luck but because people refused to give up.

Indian vultures, known as nature's cleaners, were on the verge of extinction, but many conservation programs are actively implemented.

Some native birds of Assam include the tall and elegant Black Necked Stork ( telia xareng), the vibrant Bronze Winged Jacana (Dolpounga) to the incredible Bar-Headed Geese (Dhritiraz)—these birds make Assam a paradise for nature lovers. But all these Assam's flying jewels are slowly disappearing, but the numbers can be protected or increased by joint steps of conservation and awareness.

The story of birds is not just written in feathers and flight, but in the quiet moments they gift us—a robin's lullaby at dawn, the sudden hush as wings slice through the sky, and the gentle reminder that wonder still lives in the trees above.

"Let the sky be more than a story of what we lost.

Let it be a story of what we saved!"

Abihotry Bhardwaz

Gauhati university.