Editor,
Following the decrease in the number of Covid-19 infection cases, some states have dispensed with mandatory wearing of masks. It must be understood that wearing of masks is one of the restrictions imposed by the government during a spike in Covid-19 cases in the country. The governments of Maharashtra and Delhi have relaxed the restrictions on compulsory wearing of masks in public places. Wearing of masks has been made voluntary in these states. A sudden drop in positive cases has made these governments make such a decision. They are under the impression that the virus has weakened and it is not likely to return.
However, those who know the characteristics of viruses, will never show complacency when it comes to combating viruses. Viral infections may show a sudden decrease but there is every likelihood of their return. Scientists and experts have predicted that many countries may face the fourth wave of the pandemic. Many European countries, China and the USA are faced with a rise in positive cases. A new variant of the virus called Deltacron has been identified by scientists. To make matters worse, a new Covid variant XE which is more dangerous than any strain of Covid-19 has been found in the UK. While a majority of people believe that the pandemic may turn into an endemic, scientists are warning against completely doing away with mandatory wearing of masks. Wearing masks is a precautionary measure against the pandemic. Some countries that had done away with it paid a heavy price for that mistake.
True, there is no need to wear masks for a long time. However, there is no harm in continuing this practice. As there is no evidence for complete disappearance of the virus, we need to be alert. Given that protection from the vaccine is temporary, the virus may return by changing into another variant. While restrictions cannot be imposed for a long time, we need to resign ourselves to the new normal.
Yours etc.,
Venu GS,
Kollam
School or retail shop?
Editor
The parents of students of Pine Mount School, Shillong have been asked by the school teachers to purchase face masks sold by the school. This is another jewel in the crown of the school. Instead of focussing on teaching they are now involved in business practices. Masks are available everywhere now and the school cannot and must not ask the students to buy it only from the school at a hefty price of Rs 200 for 3 masks. Is the mask certified by the WHO or some health agencies that will prevent the virus entry? It is just another mask which is commercially available and nothing special. Schools are to provide education and not become a retail establishment. Please focus on education at this crucial time instead of commercial profit. The State Education Department should ask for an explanation from the school on this matter.
Yours etc.,
D. Swer
Shillong
Uniform Civil Code
Editor,
Article 44 of the Indian Constitution postulates the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). It reads “the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India”. It is among the Liberal-Intellectual classification of the Directive Principles of State Policies. This article mandates that there should be a uniform law on personal matters such as marriage, inheritance, adoption, divorce, etc. Recently, the new Uttarakhand CM, Pushkar Singh Dhami, announced that a panel of experts will be formed to examine the possibility of implementing a UCC in the state. With the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections will the BJP govt at the centre bring another big push with the UCC apart from the past adventures such as GST, Demonetization, Art 370, etc.?
It is imperative to take into account that India is a diverse pool of culture and customs with approximately more than 19,000 languages and 700 tribes spanning across the length and breadth of the country. While it should be noted that UCC will bring equality in a prevalent patriarchal society, as highlighted by Firoz Ahmed Bakht, Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, in his petition to the Supreme Court, it should also be considered while formulating the UCC in the future that suggestions from all spheres of society should be considered and that political gimmicks in the name of religion, just to garner votes, should stay aloof to not exacerbate the already polarised, divided country and to ensure that the UCC is truly liberal in spirit and character.
Yours etc.,
Kevin M Shangpliang,
Via email
Deplorable Mawbah Road
Editor,
The stretch of about a kilometre long Mawbah (Barapathar) Road is in a deplorable condition now. There are a lot of potholes. The side edges of the road have been broken and denuded at several places, by the sewage water flowing from the ill-constructed drains. This has made the road narrower at its entrance. Pedestrians find it extremely difficult to let the vehicles pass, especially during rush hours in the morning and evening.
This road was last repaired and renovated thoroughly during the end of Mr Paul Lyngdoh’s tenure as MLA in 2017-18. At that point the bundle of water pipes which were laid by the side of the road, at the uphill of its entrance, have been routed under concrete covered culvert. This has provided great relief to vehicles as well as to pedestrians till date. Also, at several lengths culvert covers were provided making the road wider. At present because of prolonged non-maintenance, the road has weathered and its surface is eroded in several places. Culvert covers are missing or broken at several places making the road dangerous to commute during the evening time.
This road is a very important one because it is an approach road to five graveyards belonging to different religious sects and cremation sites of greater Shillong besides being the lifeline of the thickly populated Mawbah (Barapathar) Village. Hence concerned State authorities and also the local MLA is fervently requested to spare their valuable time to steady the condition of this road and do the needful to repair it, at their earliest, preferably before the onset of the monsoon rains.
Yours etc.,
Krishna Chettri
Shillong -2