Separate Time Zone for North-East
The North-east is tired of asking for a separate time zone. Many politicians from the North-east over the years have tabled the request for a separate time zone for the region but to no avail. The Centre is of the opinion that giving a separate time zone would brew separatist tendencies in the people. Russia has nine time zones, the US has six but we don’t see any such tendencies brewing in the minds of Russians or Americans. On the other hand, China sticking to one time zone to enhance national unity has faced problems.
In the winters when the sun sets by 4 pm in the North-east, offices and industries have to remain open till 6 PM which means extra consumption of electricity. In the summers when the sun rises by 4:30 am almost 5 hours of daylight are lost by the time people go to work. The tea gardens in Assam follow a time which is one hour ahead of IST to put the daylight hours to better use. I urge the government to try and understand that giving a separate time zone to the North-east is not going to brew any separatist tendencies in us. It is for the greater good of the region.
Noopur Baruah
Tezpur, District Sonitpur
Assam
‘Call of Truth’ Vs. ‘Election Meeting’
On September 5, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the Kisan Mahapanchayat in Muzaffarnagar, the largest during the nine months of farmers protest, echoed the “call of truth” that an “unjust government” must listen to. But the BJP, whose governments at the Centre and in States ruled by it are hell bent upon suppressing the farmers protest tooth and nail, sought to paint it as an “election meeting” ahead of Assembly polls due in a number of states, including Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand next year.
The farmers who are working beyond party lines have shown the nation the mirror. Their Mahapanchayat in Muzaffarnagar is reflection of the ground reality. Thousands and thousands of farmers have been protesting for the last nine months – and they have will and grit to fight for their rights for years together – but the callous pro-corporate government is adopting cruel methods to suppress the movement. The government should read the writ on the wall: if you fail in repealing three anti-farmer agri laws, it would prove nemesis for you. Let the good sense prevail on the powers that be.
Sadiq Husain
Karnal, Haryana
Keep Military Out of Politics in Tunisia
On July 25, President of Tunisia Kais Saied suspended parliament and shuttered several government officials’ offices, introducing what he termed a 30-day “exceptional period.” This move is being dubbed an attempted coup against their nascent democracy. Significantly, Tunisia is the only country that came out of the Arab Spring with a genuine democracy. It is another matter that this democracy has not yet delivered economic growth or prosperity for its people.
The Tunisian military is the only military in the Arab world that has never been involved in domestic political affairs. When Tunisia gained independence from France in 1956, President Habib Bourguiba played a major role in ensuring that the military stayed away from political and economic affairs. The result is that during the last few decades a wave of military coups and dictatorships swept the Arab world but Tunisia fortunately continued to be a civilian republic. This is history.
But now with Saied’s undemocratic move, parliament is lying defunct and democracy is in grave danger. To protect democracy there, military should not be allowed to take part in political affairs. Also, the US should not recognise the new government following coup unless and until it is approved by parliament. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates that have provided Saied with support should also stop interfering in Tunisia’s domestic affairs.
Marghoob Ben Ali
Tunis, Tunisia