 |
| City buses are a common mode of tranportation in Guwahati. Picture by Eastern Projections |
Plea for better transport facilities
I wish to draw the attention of the Assam transport minister towards the hardship being faced by the residents of the old Uzanbazar locality and Jahajgat area owing to the dearth of public conveyance facilities for a long time.
This area is one of the oldest residential areas of Guwahati, which boasted of a ?steamer port? in earlier times.
Now it is famous for its proximity to the Governor?s House as well as its scenic riverfront. Besides, the major role played by local people of this area during the Assam agitation is still remembered by many.
Unfortunately, this area has slowly become a forgotten part of the city, particularly because of the lack of public conveyance here. The ?city bus? facility does not touch this place at all. Neither is it connected by any regular trekker service to the main areas. However, the neighbouring Kharguli area, which was developed later, enjoys both city bus and trekker facilities.
Most residents of the area have to depend on rickety rickshaws or autorickshaws to reach the main city.
We hope the authorities will make commuting a less difficult task for the people of the area, at least within the precincts of the city.
Hemanta Talukdar,
Guwahati
It is nice to see an imposing building being constructed by the State Bank of India in front of the Assam Secretariat for its head office in the Northeast.
However, it is rather difficult to fathom the reason for the frugality shown by the biggest bank of the country in constructing a bridge over the Bahini river as an approach to the building.
According to norms laid down by the state flood control department, a clear waterway of 12-metre span is required to be maintained in constructing bridges over the Bahini river. It was necessary to obtain permission from the concerned department for such construction.
The bridge constructed by the SBI appears to be very narrow and will actually help raise the flood level on the upstream during rainy days and inundate more areas, compounding problems for residents of the area.
We request the SBI to review and construct a proper bridge to facilitate free flow of water through the river. Also, we wish to draw the attention of the department concerned so as to remove all such manmade bottlenecks over the Bahini river, which will mitigate the perennial problem of waterlogging and floods in the Sarumotoria area to some extent.
M.N. Barua
Guwahati
Files for appointment of assistant teachers on compensatory grounds in all districts of Assam are piling up at the office of the commissioner of education, Dispur. The candidates who are aspiring for appointment to this post on compensatory grounds are mentally harassed. They are financially disadvantaged as they belong to those families whose sole earners have expired or have died in harness after working in the field of education.
Most of the candidates are widows who are seeking jobs on compassionate grounds. But the finance department has imposed conditions, creating a difficult situation.
The finance department sends back the files on very flimsy grounds and raises queries whimsically. In the matter of appointment on compensatory grounds, the finance department raised a new question regarding reservations for backward classes.
In many cases, the High Court has directed the finance department to look into the matter expeditiously so that the candidates do not face unreasonable hurdles.
Mukul Bhuyan
Morigaon, Assam
The lush green land of Arunachal Pradesh can emerge as a horticultural super giant as it is blessed with the perfect environment for growth of different fruits and flowers.
The state produces the finest quality of apples, pears, plums and oranges and its latest offering, the juicy kiwi, is making waves in the markets of neighbouring states, especially Assam.
Despite the potential, the cultivators fail to reap the fruits of their labour because of poor marketing. In this, the department of horticulture can help them by opening up new markets.
The move would encourage many unemployed youths of the state to take up horticulture and, in turn, improve the economy of the state.
Pinky Tage,
Itanagar
Manipuris are struggling to save their culture and identity in the state which has acquired the tag of being ?trouble-torn?. The indigenous art and culture of Manipur is the most potent force binding the people together.
Drama festivals are a regular feature in Imphal, the capital city. After militants banned Hindi movies in the state, beautifully-filmed video albums have become the most popular form of entertainment, especially for the young generation.
The state is always churning out high quality artistic work, which is appreciated in the national and international arenas. I hope peace prevails in the state so that artistes can get better working conditions to showcase their talent.
Trishna Singh,
Imphal
Children roam around on the roads of Tripura?s remote villages because they have no schools to go to. Most of the villages do not have primary schools and parents cannot afford to send their wards to nearby towns for education.
The government, however, seems to be least bothered about the primary right of children ? the right to education. How can a place hope to develop if its future generation has no access to education?
In spite of the strict guidelines of the government under the Directive Principles of state policy where free education is a must for children upto 14 years, the state seems to have no regard for its young population.
Gayatri Das,
Agartala
As a Shillongite, I am very happy and honoured that our President recently visited this capital city. As a result, we saw roads being repaired, speed-breakers sliced down and the walls whitewashed for his visit.
I wish the President would visit our state often so that we have the privilege to walk on roads without potholes. I urge the authorities concerned to continue the good job beyond an ?overnight makeover? and maintain this, so that the roads are always in a good condition.
Shoma Chatterjee,
Shillong
