This move will also serve another purpose, keeping in check the number of people with questionable degrees awarded by questionable universities. I would therefore urge the respective State Governments of the North East region to follow this commendable step taken by the Assam Government.

Barilang Hynniewta , Shillong

Your cover story last month was very inspirational and could serve to inspire many youth from the region to initiate such ventures so as to be economically self reliant. However, it is my strong opinion that such ventures need the support of the government by way of schemes and programmes through which these would be entrepreneurs will get support especially in the initial stages of their ventures. Most of the people of the region who need to avail of self employment opportunities such as these, especially those living in the rural areas of the region do not have the means to sustain such ventures even if they do have the means to start them. Therefore, an intervention from the side of the respective State Governments of the region is a must for such ventures to succeed and benefit the unemployed youth of the region.

P. Goswami , Nalbari

In my opinion, the role of the Government is to protect the interests of the citizenry besides doing its best to ensure that sustainable development. In this regard, I am appalled that the State Government of Assam did not do its job and keep in check dubious chit funds such as the Saradha Group which had cheated the rural poor of Assam of their hard earned money. The lack of precautionary steps taken to keep such institutions in check makes me question as to whether there is a nexus between such groups and the authorities whose mandate is to protect us.

M. Rizal , Guwahati

I commend Zubeen Garg for doing the unthinkable and standing up to the diktat issued by ULFA. Not cowering in fear, Zubeen stood firm in his beliefs and stood firm, singing the songs of his choice and threw caution to the wind by defying the diktat. I also commend the other artistes of Assam for standing behind one of their own and lending their support when Zubeen was on the receiving end of threats from ULFA although I wish they had replicated his actions and sung a few Hindi songs themselves.

U. Bordoloi , Guwahati

I place sole blame for the attack on Mamata Banerjee which took place at New Delhi on the West Bengal Chief Minister herself. Wasn’t she advised by the police not to leave her car and walk in front of the protestotrs? It can almost be said that Mamata was daring the protesters to attack her and her entourage. Being such a seasoned political leader, Mamata should have known better and should have shown better judgement. All I have to say about the matter is - What was she thinking?

Debankar Das , New Delhi

It is shocking to hear that innocent and unknowing women are being exploited by the very people who are supposed to look after their healthcare in India. The cases of doctors and hospitals misleading women into undergoing unnecessary hysterectomies needs to be seriously looked into and the guilty should be dealt with in such a manner that  such heinous crimes are never again repeated.

Ibanda Wankhar , Shillong.