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With the unprecedented climatic condition in the whole of the Northeast India, Assam with its vast network of rivers is very susceptible to such natural disasters as the twin problems of flood and erosion, which have over the decades slowed down the process of developmental activities. These problems are so complicated that in spite of sustained efforts of the successive governments both at the centre and State to find out a long-term solution, they still remain elusive.  It is to be noted here that these two problems of Assam are singularly distinct in several ways from other States in the country, that is as far as frequency, duration, enormity of damage  by deluge, and extent of river-bank erosion is concerned. Due to Assam’s unique climate and frail geology, the State experiences endemic flood, bank-erosion and other natural calamities such as landslides, earthquakes, during the monsoon season almost every year. But what has happened to Assam days before is something heart-rending. In other words, the first wave of floods has hard- hit the State earlier than usual time. Its early arrival has naturally taken the administration and thousands of families by big surprise. With a perceptible weather change in the North-East India, against high temperature in summer months, rainfall is a welcome major break from scorching heat. But this time the story is just the other way round. The situation worsened when there was incessant rainfall at a stretch in the preceding week under the influence of Cyclone ‘Asani.’

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Amidst the pan India flutter over Varanasi’s Gyanvapi Mosque, a simple line of this complex situation figuring in Madhushala, a poetry book by Haribansh Rai Bachhan, may perhaps find some relevance.

This particular line of Madhushala is: Bair Barhate Masjid Mandir Mel Karati Madhushala.

Madhushala means a bar or alehouse in English.

Well, we are not suggesting people to walk to a Maikhana – also meaning Madhushala – as Hindus and Muslims are already so much intoxicated with the Gyanvapi Mosque that there is no need for any additional doses of ale to turn tipsy.

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Ever since the fall-out of the dome of the new Assembly Building, the criticism of the Conrad Government has taken a hype. The dome once said to be an iconic structure of Shillong, the symbol of Meghalaya’s progress has become yet another reason to regress the Sangma’s political wheel for the upcoming elections to be held in 2023. The collapse of the dome has not gone down well with citizens, political parties, civil societies and pressure groups who poured scorn on the corrupt practices by greedy politicians and contractors that has endangered lives. The Government is blamed allegedly for encouraging corruption and misuse of funds.

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A very significant observation is made by  Ranjit S Mooshary, former Governor of Meghalaya, in his foreword to the book, "Social Cultural And  Spiritual  Traditions of   North East Bharat (Published by Heritage Foundation, Guwahati)". He points out quite pertinently that "There is no other region which mirrors India's heterogeneous heritage as the Bramhaputra  valley and its hemming hills". It is indeed cent percent true. There is no denying that the North East offers a fascinating  mosaic of beliefs, customs and dialects.  Their life is  peaceful and contentment seems to  spill out in their thoughts and behaviours.