Deep from the heart with hope in the eyes, writes Satraajit Pal Choudhury

November 14: The verdict on Ayodhya has finally put a full stop to the decade long debate on the most contentious issue since the partition of India. For the moment can’t we excuse ourselves from the day to day political cock fights?

The Central government’s much publicised Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign has undoubtedly hogged the attention of millions. Few states have indeed done wonders. Recently Swachh Survekshan revealed its report. Indore has been declared as the ‘cleanest’ city. Unfortunately Assam has failed the acid test. As per the report, Guwahati’s rank is 303, Nagaon’s rank is 370, Dibrugarh’s rank is 415 and Silchar’s rank is 423. The report further indicates that ‘Silchar’ is the ‘dirtiest’ city in Northeast.

Shouldn’t this report serve as an eye opener for our political class? From Ram temple to National Register of Citizens (NRC)—these political titbits have wasted many hours and seconds of our precious life. At present, the common citizens of Silchar are at loggerheads with Silchar Municipal Board’s (SMB) decision to hand over Gandhi Bagh to commercial establishments. Can we consider this to be a sane move? The blooming buds have no ground to play. Should their childhood memories be crushed?

The roads of Silchar are clamouring for attention. The pitiable plight of Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH) too calls for immediate attention. Our incumbent Lok Sabha MP being a doctor has a large role to play in this regard. The Assam government is mulling to set up new medical colleges—certainly this initiative needs to be applauded. But this should not be done by ignoring the basic needs of SMCH.

Few months back a young 25-year-old man Sayantan Chakraborty had to die an untimely death due to lack of proper medical facilities at SMCH. Cardiology, Neurology and Nephrology departments are missing at SMCH. When the state government is considering setting up of new medical colleges across the state, blueprints for infrastructural development of SMCH should also be made.

Keeping aside the daily political issues can we expect our political elites to come to the drawing board and discuss developmental issues that are lying unattended for decades? The needs of a common man are very limited. From Sadak, Bijli, Paani to Roti, Kapda Aur Makan—these are the only basic needs of a common man. A common man is neither interested in the political curries of Maharashtra, nor the communal diatribe of few ultra-jingoist political leaders.

The lone industry in Cachar Paper Mill is shut for years. Promises after promises have been made to reopen the locked gates of this mill. The hapless employees are waiting for a new dawn. They are hopeful. We too are eternal optimists. A new beginning is certainly on the cards. It would be apt to conclude this piece with a thought provoking quote of William Shakespeare—“The miserable have no other medicine, but only hope.”