Editor,
Whenever there is a heavy downpour, rate payers are told that there is breakdown of pipelines at the source at Umkhen which supply water to Laitumkhrah areas. On September 28 and 29 though there was some rain but not to the point of causing breakdown of pipelines coming from Umkhen. But on the above two days no water was released, leaving us high and dry. We request the concerned Departments to ensure that the rate-payers are not deprived of one of the most essential commodities to sustain life ,which is water. Over and above that let me also inform the authorities that earlier we used to get water for 30-40 mins but now the time has reduced to just 20 mins, sometimes with interruptions in between. This is not done and the MLA concerned has to address this single most critical issue as far as families are concerned.
Yours etc.,
Elisha Syiemiong
Via email
Jio the boss
Editor,
My wife had taken a Jio Fibre connection (364 356**45) a few months back. It was horrible and it broke down. After repeated requests to Jio via Twitter/ phone etc., Jio has not repaired the fault. Their helpline is one of the most atrocious and one would be lucky to get to talk to an operator. I was twice fortunate and on one occasion I was told that my recharge date had expired hence they cannot take up a service request. On calling the Call Center executive I recharged via Google-pay for a connection which was not working in anticipation that the fault would be repaired. But lo and behold the recharge expired but for an entire month the Jio-fibre didn’t work. Imagine life without a working internet connection at this age and that too for start-ups. The problem with the repair was that the ‘Process of Jio’ didn’t allow them to repair the connection. They wanted us to relocate. We are not shifting anywhere, yet they can’t help us if we do not go for relocation of the connection. (In one of the correspondences they even asked us to get permission from some authority to get repairs done.) Hence the Babus of Jio needed documents again. Now tell me if I am wrong.
For their internal process, are they a government organization that require documents afresh even after verifying the same while giving the connection?
If they want to give a connection from a different location/ pole/ box it is their look out so why should the customer be harassed?
Before writing this letter I sent a message to the Jio members to give me an address for filing a consumer complaint. They didn’t provide the address. Their process of harassment would not change even if I surrender to their callous attitude. One of the executives had gone on holiday so the repair didn’t proceed. It’s us today, someone else tomorrow. The compromise should end.
Hoping this will be an eye-opener for the Jio-authorities and that harassment of customers will end. As of now the connection is yet to be repaired.
Your etc.,
Harsh Jhunjhunwala,
Via email
Mandatory sex education
Editor,
The topic of sex has been so stigmatized that elders never bring it up in front of children, let alone educate them on the topic. This compromise hurts the children in turn. Comprehensive sexuality education is important because people need to be aware of the various aspects of their reproductive health and rights. This could help people practice safe and consensual sex and also be aware of when their rights are violated. The alarming rise in cases of sexual abuse is due to the lack of proper inclusive sex education. The topic of consent needs to be taught to every child as a norm, alongside making them aware of violations of their rights. We must also educate people about diverse sexualities and genders, not only heterosexual and cisgender sex education. The proper use of pronouns (i.e., she/her, he/him, they/them, etc.), avoiding misgendering, respecting identities of trans and non-binary children, and lending an ear to the marginalized not only make them feel seen, but also widely helps curb violence against people of the LGBTQIA+ community. Not only this, but it helps uplift the status of sex workers in society, and get them the respect they deserve. Sex work is work, and we need to destigmatize it and stop slut shaming. We need to stop breeding incels, homophobes, transphobes, and all the worst of mankind. One mustn’t only do just enough to pat themselves on the back and feel proud, but go out of their way to do the right thing, even if it isn’t within their comfort zone. Mandatory sex education would, in short, help the marginalized and dismantle an oppressive system that leans on ignorance.
Yours etc.,
Rupsa Marak,
Tura
AUKUS undermines India’s role
Editor,
The formation of a new defence agreement known as AUKUS with no precedent in the diplomatic world has created confusion among observers. As the regional power of the new alliance is already covered by an old alliance, Quad, the formation of AUKUS raises doubts. AUKUS named after Australia, the UK, and the USA reveals that the US views the Chinese activities in the South China Sea and adjoining islands very seriously.
China expressed its displeasure at the formation of AUKUS. Chinese president Xi Jinping has warned against ‘’interference from external forces” in the region. Global Times described Australia as ‘’a pawn of the US.’’AUKUS has caused consternation in France and EU as well. The reason for it is that they were kept out of the new military partnership.
As for India, AUKUS is not good news. It raises questions about the significance of the Quad. AUKUS creates an impression that the US is concerned only with pushing back against China. India’s concerns about Pakistan and the Western Indian Ocean remain unaddressed. During the Quad summit, Indian Prime Minister Modi discussed the priority areas for Quad with US president Biden and Japanese and Australian PMs. Biden clarified the roles to be played by Quad and AUKUS. It is obvious that Quad will act as a socio-economic organization and the region’s defence will be led by AUKUS. Given that India’s concerns about Chinese aggression in the North China Sea are unaddressed, the new roles of Quad and AUKUS will not do it any good. On the other hand, if India makes best use of the strategic opportunities to strengthen its partnership with France, it could bring tangible benefits to the country.
Yours etc.,
Venu GS,
Kollam