Letters to the EDITOR: Problems at Nagaon’s Morikolong

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Problems at Nagaon’s Morikolong

Through your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities of the Nagaon district regarding the uncontrollable traffic as well as the unplanned bus stand at Morikolong, which creates a number of problems among the passersby. The staff of buses block the road to stop the vehicles and get the passengers. Sometimes they jump over the e-rickshaws to stop them from getting passengers. Moreover, in the morning, the students of different institutions and the people who are employed in different offices get stuck in the traffic for hours. Students miss their classes and sometimes even their exams. The relevant authorities of the district should take necessary steps to solve the problems as soon as possible.

Mrinmoy Kumar Borah

Nowgong College

NE needs cold storage facilities

Although there is high potential in food processing industries (FPI) in the Northeast Region, there is a lack of enthusiastic participation by entrepreneurs in FPI schemes and provisions. The main reason is infrastructural gaps, where challenges of commercial viability and marketing gaps pose a serious sustainability issue. It is a well-known fact that the food processing industry involves perishable commodities like chickens, eggs, fruits, flowers, etc. It requires prolonging the shelf life of products through the development of an integrated cold chain comprising cold storage, cargo terminals, refrigerated vans, etc. Sadly, these infrastructures are not available in the airports in the NER, except for the airport in Guwahati, which has both domestic and international cargo facilities. As a result, it has prevented the food entrepreneurs from planning the expansion of their processing units or establishing new units for commercial production to tap both domestic and export markets. The editorial Chicken and Egg Dilemma in NE Food Processing,' published in your esteemed daily on February 22, has rightly said that there is a need to put an end to the chicken-and-egg dilemma in the region, as it has emerged as the biggest bottleneck in the creation of the infrastructure and development of FPI. Another need is an increase in the production of perishables, including processed foods, in the region. What the state governments of the region need to do is wide publicity of success stories to encourage more entrepreneurial initiatives. At the same time, we cannot deny the importance of addressing the critical infrastructural gap so that new entrepreneurs do not have to suffer losses due to the wastage of perishables for want of an integrated cold chain. We also cannot disagree with the fact that there is extreme necessity for adequate and proportionate expansion of organic farming in the food processing business. The Pradhan Mantri Kisaan Sampada Yojana's (PMKSY) higher rate of grants at a rate of 50 percent of the eligible project cost, especially for the region, will be effective if the central government concentrates on the development of facilities like cold storage and air cargo terminals in various NE airports, along with boosting organic farming, as it has triggered new marketing hopes for Northeast products while leveraging the FPI promotion in the region.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

Loss of green cover

In recent times, public concerns have been raised against the indiscriminate cutting of trees in Guwahati and its outskirts due to the construction of development projects like flyovers and highway expansions. The development projects in Guwahati and elsewhere in the state are welcome in order to promote the economy and generate employment for the unemployed. But these projects are also the primary cause of significant tree loss. In fact, throughout the state, large areas of forest land have been cleared for development projects that have a bearing on issues like green cover and potential environmental impact. The recent data reveals that in Guwahati alone and its surrounding areas, 3000 trees have been cut down due to the construction of flyovers and highway expansions. Impacts of deforestation have already been witnessed in the increase of temperature, irregular rainfall, and long, drier spells. The trees, like peepal, banyan, teak, neem, and eucalyptus, supply oxygen and absorb carbon emissions, which is Mother Nature's balancing act for human survivability. It is known that peepal trees supply oxygen 24 hours. Impacts of deforestation already manifested themselves in soil erosion, gaps in rainforests, and increased flood risks. The need is to usher in a balanced development with the proper emphasis on protecting our natural resources. Are the authorities concerned listening?

Pannalal Dey

Guwahati.

Misuse of women’s privacy at Mahakumbh

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the disturbing reports of women's videos and photos from the Mahakumbh being shared and sold on social media for explicit content. The exploitation of women's privacy is not only a grave violation of their rights but also reflects a disturbing trend of objectification and dehumanisation.

The recent incidents highlight the vulnerability of women in public spaces, where their personal dignity and consent are disregarded. The fact that these videos and photos, taken without consent, are being shared and monetized by unscrupulous individuals is alarming. Because of this behaviour, women have to face devastating consequences for their mental and emotional well-being. The government must take serious actions to stop and prevent such behaviours by implementing rules and regulations. For example, no pictures should be allowed in certain areas, and they should create private spaces for women to take part in the Mahakumbh. Additionally, no men should be allowed in women-only zones. Furthermore, this incident calls for a larger discussion on the need for greater awareness, education, and sensitivity toward issues of privacy and consent, particularly in large-scale public events.

Rahul Kumar Thakur

Pragjyotish College

Advantage Assam 2.0 to be a game-changer

Advantage Assam 2.0, a flagship initiative by the Assam government under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, is set to play a crucial role in boosting the state's economic landscape. This event aims to bring over 2 lakh crore rupees worth of investments to Assam, which will significantly contribute to its economic growth in the coming years.

Scheduled for February 25 and 26, 2025, Advantage Assam 2.0 will bring together several national and international business leaders, commercial organizations, and investors, creating a vibrant platform for economic collaboration. The presence of top industrialists will not only increase investment but also foster new business opportunities, creating a ripple effect that benefits various sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, and services. One of the major highlights of this initiative is the direct involvement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will inaugurate the event and also unveil a cultural programme that showcases Assam’s rich heritage. This attention from the national government will enhance Assam's visibility on the global economic map, attracting more investors to the region.

Through the implementation of Advantage Assam 2.0, the state is expected to see the creation of new jobs, improvement in infrastructure, and an overall uplift of living standards. By facilitating industry growth and economic diversification, Assam is poised to become a key player in India's economic future, ensuring prosperity for its people and contributing to the country's overall development.

Jayanta Kumar Goswami,

Guwahati

2030 Commonwealth Games in India?

That India is all set to express its interest in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games is good news. Having hosted the games in 2010 in Delhi, India is quite familiar with the nitty-gritty of conducting such huge events. Besides, apart from 1951, India has also staged the prestigious Asian Games in 1982. As many as 21 sports and 272 events were held in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, in which India won 38 golds and 101 total medals—its highest tally ever in the history of the games. And it will not be a surprise if India wins the bid again. Hockey, badminton, shooting, wrestling, and cricket have been removed from the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth, and India hopes to re-include these sport disciplines if it wins the 2030 bid. India has high chances of securing medals in the above sport disciplines. As per the organisation of the games, despite massive criticism regarding the sluggish pace of work and accusations of corruption, the 2010 games were generally praised for being a sporting extravaganza conducted well. Further, India is nursing a high ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, and a letter of intent has already been sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Fans are keeping their fingers crossed because a final decision by the IOC is expected in March 2026. Hosting both the Commonwealth and Olympics will provide an unimaginable boost to India in general and its sports in particular.

Dr. Ganapathi Bhat

(gbhat13@gmail.com)