Editor,
After Omicron entered India, the fear of this variant has started gripping people across the country. People are now fearing that the third wave of Coronavirus has arrived and now cases have started increasing. A total of 23 cases have been reported in the country so far, after which the states and the central government are on alert. At the same time, scientists have also started trying to gather more information about this variant. Experts are advising people to be cautious regarding the new Coronavirus variant. Now, questions are also arising as to which of the two vaccines are more effective against Covid. Is it Covishield or Covaxin that can deal with the Omicron variant?
According to experts, the Omicron variant has brought 50 new mutations in which there are 10 mutations in the spike protein where the receptor binds to our lungs. The Omicron variant will have a lesser effect in those vaccinated with Covishield and Covaxin? Clinically, Omicron is not yet posing a burden on the healthcare system but vigil has to be maintained.
Yours etc.,
Pinaki Nandy
Guwahati
Power Minister please reconsider
Editor.
The news report Tynsong pushes for smart meter (ST Dec 9, 2021) is rather troubling. It has come after a long tumultous time when M/s Satnam Global Infra Ltd attempted to acquire land for one company from Haryana but whether the company falls within the top three agreed upon smart meter companies by the Power ministry, am not aware. The top 3 are the Schneider of France, Siemens of, Germany ( which has now backed off) and Genus of Karnataka .
Then not long ago the Power Minister had stopped the further manufacture of smart meters, an action that made the Meghalayans to wonder if it was some difference with the former Power Minister or something else. Mr Prestone Tynsong also lamented at the very wrong report by MeECL of the readiness of 25,000 households, which he found untrue.
My questions are (1) Did the Power Minister read the letter by Mohit Kumar, President of DAM (Data Aquisition & Management)?It reads ‘The central government first rolled out the reforms scheme with smart meters with a budget of Rs1.5 lakh crore and now that it being made compulsory it is potentially the most serious reforms undertaken by the Government,’ Kumar wrote this sometime this year.
(2) Does The Power Minister know that internet link is required for smart meters. And that WIFI is a must. Then two WIFI of 2.5 giga herzt and 5 giga hertz are a must to get signals uninterrupted. And worse, these are found to be frequency and site selective. For laypersons you need to move from sitting room to kitchen to interact with the power supplier ( MeECL) who will inform the consumer his excessive use of power and when to pay the bill before power is cut off. Messaging charges are to be borne by consumers.
3) Will Govt agree to fund those with smart phones but cannot afford to connect WIFI which makes up 90% of the population of the Shillong, Jowai etc. The 250 households in Maines are complaining of smart meter interferences with the e – devices like IP ( internet provider),in the process of transmitting and outsourcing 2 or more nodes. This is serious.
About the fear that smart meters could be hacked the Power Minister said its too early to comment upon, but with cybercrime the talk of the day, anything is possible. Germany which has the most advanced technology in Europe, is not going to be smart- metered. I hope the Government knows this.
Lastly the very advice by the Power Ministry to Schneider to manufacture smart meters in line with the Indian power status raises suspicion about putting new wine in old bottles. All are aware that in Meghalaya the voltage at its peak never crosses 180 volt which normally is 220v. And smart meter by its very name cannot be outsmarted.
In view of the above, I pray to the Power Minister to lead us from the front by example and to first order all the ministers in the cabinet to have their houses smart- metered first. Then only will the masses join the chorus, for better or for worse.
Yours etc.,
W Passah
Retd HOD Electronics
St Edmund’s College
Kudos to the Govt!
Editor,
The Meghalayan Age Store was inaugurated on the 9th of this month at Connaught Place, New Delhi. Congratulations to the Government of Meghalaya for this wonderful initiative in setting up this store! Our farmers and artisans will now have a wider platform to showcase their products and increase their sales. This will definitely help in sustaining their art form over and above their livelihood! And the interior designers have done a fantastic job. Hats off to them!
Once again, a big Congratulations to the Government! Well done!
Yours etc.,
Eugene D. Thomas
Shillong 6