Editor,
The Doomsday Clock, created in 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, is not merely a symbolic timepiece, it is a stark moral gauge of humanity’s proximity to self-destruction. Midnight represents global catastrophe. Every movement of its hands is a warning to the world. Today, at 85 seconds to midnight, we stand at one of the most perilous moments in modern history.
Originally conceived in the shadow of nuclear warfare, the Clock has evolved to reflect a broader spectrum of existential threats. Nuclear tensions remain deeply troubling, with fragile diplomatic frameworks and rising geopolitical hostilities increasing the risk of miscalculation. Climate change continues to accelerate, manifesting in record-breaking temperatures, extreme weather events, and ecological instability that threaten food security, economies, and human lives. Meanwhile, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and other disruptive technologies has outpaced global governance, creating vulnerabilities in security, information integrity, and international stability.
What makes this moment uniquely dangerous is not a single crisis, but the convergence of many. Climate stress can intensify conflict and conflict can escalate nuclear risk. Unregulated technologies can amplify misinformation and destabilize societies. The setting of 85 seconds to midnight reflects this dangerous intersection.
The Doomsday Clock is not a prophecy of inevitable doom. It is a call to responsibility. It urges leaders to prioritize diplomacy over aggression, meaningful climate action over rhetoric, and ethical technological governance over unchecked competition. The question before us is simple yet profound: will we treat this warning as symbolic or as the urgent call to action it truly is?
Your’s etc.,
Shivani Pde,
Via email
Political Education & Training Imperative for MLAs/MDCs/MPs
Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw attention to an important concern in our democracy—the urgent need for structured and formal training in political leadership.
In a nation as vast and complex as India, governance requires deep understanding of law, public administration, economics, media, and effective communication. Yet, unlike other professions such as medicine, engineering, or law, politics does not require systematic academic preparation. While democracy rightfully allows every citizen to participate, the responsibilities of leadership demand knowledge, ethical grounding, and practical competence.
It is time we consider institutions dedicated to preparing aspiring public leaders through rigorous study of constitutional law, governance, media communication, political theory, and language proficiency. Such institutions should emphasize real-world exposure—observing legislative proceedings, assisting policymakers, engaging in community projects, and analyzing current national issues—rather than relying solely on traditional examinations.
A structured, experiential model of political education would not restrict democracy, but rather strengthen it by ensuring that those who seek leadership are informed, capable, and ethically trained. By raising standards in political preparation, we can enhance the quality of public discourse and governance in our country.
I hope this idea encourages discussion on building a more educated and responsible political leadership for the future.
Yours etc.,
Sudarshan Dasgupta
Via email
One Year of Advocacy
Editor,
A year and five days ago, on February 25, 2025, a collective voice was raised through a public petition to restore The North Eastern Service (NES) Of Akashvani back on shortwave radio. As we mark this anniversary, it is a moment to both celebrate our progress and confront the silence that still lingers on the shortwave radio bands. We rightfully celebrated the restoration of Akashvani FM Jong Phi on April 27, 2025, which brought back the local FM radio frequency, 103.6MHz, and the local content to the listeners of the Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills. However, NES, founded on January 3, 1990, as a bridge for the whole of Northeast India, remains confined to a mere 100W FM radio transmitter, despite the recent improvement of its FM radio audio quality.
This is a far cry from the 50kW Brown, Boveri and Cie (BBC) SK45F3 shortwave radio transmitter that once allowed our regional radio identity to give their voices. While the “Ghost of Centralisation” continues to haunt our airwaves, the systematic dismantling of regional radio identity remains an unaddressed grievance. Shortwave radio is not a “funeral” to be attended, it is a vital infrastructure for hilly terrains where FM radio cannot reach. On this anniversary, I urge Prasar Bharati (PB) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to look beyond the “formula force-fed dreams” of pure digitalisation and recognise that for Northeast India, shortwave radio is a necessity, not a relic. We have to replace that old and decommissioned shortwave radio transmitter with a new 100kW (reduced to 50kW) Ampegon TSW2100 shortwave radio transmitter.
Let us not wait for another year of silence. It is time to “break” the machine of bureaucratic delay and return NES to its rightful place on shortwave radio, on the 60m and 41m shortwave radio bands (4970kHz and 7315kHz).
Yours etc.,
Hamemanbha Lyngdoh Lawai
Via email
