Letters to the Editor: Role of youth in nation-building

Role of youth in nation-building

Through the pages of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to share a brief note about the important place Assam's youth – and, by extension, the youth of the whole Northeast – can and should occupy in building our nation. As India moves forward fast with new technology, fresh ideas, and a growing voice on the world stage, young women and men cannot be thought of only as onlookers or lucky receivers; they must be seen and supported as hands-on shapers of that progress. Because Assam boasts lively student groups, colourful traditions, and unrealised talent, the state could easily pilot this change if it offers those minds sound guidance and real openings.

Yet, too many young people still battle job scarcity, patchy schooling, and narrow platforms on which to show what they can do. Government bodies, local groups, and businesses must collaborate to provide widespread access to skills classes, digital expertise, seed capital for start-ups, and youth-led projects. Universities, colleges, and schools, for their part, should reward risk-taking, serious research, and active involvement in democratic life.

Young people who plunge into climate work, social-justice rallies, or hands-on rural projects can spark real progress all over Assam. History shows that every time students have stepped up in the past, they have left behind a mark that refuses to fade. I sincerely urge your respected publication to highlight such youth-driven initiatives and to call for policies that include the voices of young people in decision-making processes.

Thank you for providing a platform for public dialogue.

Abhilasha Mohan

Cotton University

Waterlogging near Lalganesh

I wish to highlight a serious issue that many commuters like me face every day—severe waterlogging in the areas surrounding Lalganesh, Guwahati, especially during the rainy season. Though the water doesn't directly accumulate in Lalganesh itself, the nearby routes connecting this area become flooded after even light to moderate rain, causing major travel disruptions.

As someone who travels daily from Lalganesh, reaching any destination becomes a challenge. The roads become almost unusable due to standing water, blocked drains, and potholes hidden beneath the water. Public transport often avoids the flooded stretches, and walking becomes unsafe due to slippery patches and the risk of open manholes.

This situation not only causes inconvenience and delays but also puts lives at risk, especially for students, office-goers, and the elderly. I sincerely urge the concerned authorities to take immediate and effective steps to fix the drainage system and maintain the roads in the adjoining areas of Lalganesh before the monsoon intensifies.

Sanchari Pandit

(sancharipandit6@gmail.com)

Scientific waste management

Among the most glaring lapses of the state civic authorities is the absence of a mechanism to scientifically dispose of municipal solid waste (MSW). The much-touted future gateway to Southeast Asia, the state capital Guwahati, to date does not have a proper garbage disposal system. Worse, the site where waste has been dumped is very close to Deepor Beel, a Ramsar Site wetland, resulting in serious degradation of the water body's ecology. As things stand today, the entire arrangement from collection of garbage to transportation to disposal is being carried out in an unprofessional manner. It is a common sight to see piles of uncollected garbage on the roadside and in the drains or stinking waste overflowing from the dustbins in the city. This is because dustbins are insufficient in number, and apartment-to-apartment collection is apparently not done regularly even though the waste is segregated at source. Through the editorial 'Overhauling Guwahati's Waste Management' published in your esteemed daily on June 16, we have come to learn that the construction of the city's new drainage network with covered manholes is going on at a snail's pace, resulting in most drains in the city's different localities remaining uncovered, making the matter worse. What is needed urgently is the segregation of household and institutional waste to be prioritised and incorporated into the systems in order to enable the city residents to play their part in scientific waste management. Since there is no mechanism in place to treat or recycle the huge volume of garbage, water and land are bearing the brunt of the untreated waste. The only way to ease the situation is to go for large-scale recycling of plastic waste. Unless this is done, the alarming trend is soon bound to trigger an unmanageable situation. Choked drains and uncleared garbage have turned Guwahati into an abyss of filth and dirt, extracting a heavy toll on the city's environment. The immediate reform in the city's waste management is the need of the hour with groundbreaking policy intervention to make city life sustainable and liveable. The promise of a resilient city with a scientific garbage disposal system is both a necessity and a hope worth pursuing.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

Creating awareness about cleanliness

Through this letter, I would like to highlight the importance of cleanliness in our daily lives. As citizens, it is our collective responsibility to maintain a clean and hygienic environment. Cleanliness is not just a matter of personal hygiene but also a reflection of our society's values and discipline. Unfortunately, many of us tend to litter and neglect our surroundings, leading to unhygienic conditions and health hazards. I urge the citizens of our city to take pride in keeping their surroundings clean. Simple actions like proper waste disposal, regular cleaning of public spaces, and promoting recycling can make a significant difference. I also request the local authorities to organise awareness campaigns and initiatives to educate people about the importance of cleanliness. Together, we can create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for ourselves and future generations. I hope your newspaper will help spread this message and inspire citizens to take action.

Parismita Deori

(parismitadeori05@gmail.com)

Chandmari flyover construction issues

I am writing this letter to express the problems faced by the people of Guwahati, especially in the Chandmari area, due to the ongoing construction of the new flyover. While we understand that the flyover is being built to improve traffic in the long run, the current situation is very difficult for daily commuters, shopkeepers, and local residents. The roads are dug up, traffic is often blocked, and there is dust and noise all day long. School students, office-goers, and elderly people are facing a lot of trouble while travelling. Many small shops in the area have lost their customers due to the construction work. Pedestrians are finding it hard to walk safely, as there are no proper footpaths in the area. Ambulances and emergency vehicles also get stuck in traffic. Therefore, I request the authorities to take faster action and complete the work as early as possible. Proper traffic management, dust control, and pedestrian safety measures should be taken up immediately. I hope that the concerned officials will take note and help in making life a little easier for the people of Guwahati.

Hritik Nath

(hritiknath32002@gmail.com)