Serious fallout of dirty hands in election

In the past, surgeons used to do surgery without using hand gloves. In most cases, the operations were successful, but mortality rate was always high. Doctors were baffled for a long time. When finally a doctor claimed and argued that the high mortality was due to operating with dirty hands, he was ridiculed by the medical fraternity. They said that surgeries were always done after washing of hands with utmost hygienic care.

However, later on, it was found that infection from hands was the main reason for high mortality.

Since then, doctors started using hand gloves and, lo and behold, the mortality rate went down drastically.

This analogy is comparable to our election practice. During election, we use alcohol, money, women, gun, proxy, and all other evils, imaginable and unimaginable. The goal is to win by hook or by crook. Our hands are stained with dirt beyond recognition without any shame.

Thus nothing good comes forth after election, and this vicious cycle continues unabated for almost six decades.

No wonder Nagaland has hit rock bottom and lags far behind all Northeastern states. The remedy for dirty election is simply, FREE & FAIR CLEAN ELECTION with purity of conscience and action. Those who advocate clean election may be ridiculed by wise fools. But unless election practice is made clean, the future is bleak and common people will continue to suffer. Clean election is doable. Only wise fools say that it is impossible – for where there’s a will there’s a way!

“All things are possible to him who believes.”

Huzo Meru

Electing leaders with integrity

As election season draws near, it is essential that we take a step back and evaluate what is truly essential. We have observed the impact of elections on communities and relationships, causing division and hostility even between the families and relatives. This year, unfortunately, we are still witnessing instances of violence between parties during elections, which is completely unacceptable. No one is going to win a prize for fighting on behalf of someone else. Individuals who engage in violence and conflicts during elections will have to live with the consequences of their actions long after the election is over. This should not be the outcome of elections. It is crucial that we remember that elections are a time to select leaders who will serve the public with honesty and integrity. These leaders must possess a vision for a better future and work tirelessly to make it a reality. Regrettably, many leaders focus only on their personal gain, disregarding the well-being of the people. As we cast our votes, we must examine the actions of our leaders, not just their promises. Have they made a significant impact in their communities in the past? Have they taken steps to improve the lives of those they aspire to serve? If they truly care about their constituents, they should have addressed their needs and made a positive impact before seeking election. Leadership is not about throwing large amounts of money to purchase votes during elections. It is about serving the people and making a difference in their lives. Genuine leaders will have spent time in their communities, listened to their needs, and worked to support them. Let us choose leaders who genuinely desire to serve and make a difference. Leaders who have demonstrated their commitment to their communities and have a plan for the future. These leaders must have a stake in the success of the community they hope to serve. Let us make our votes count and select leaders who will lead with integrity, purpose, and a genuine commitment to the people.

Dr. Bongliba Sangtam Ph.D.

Snippets

ED seizes Rs 1.4 cr cash from premise of Kolkata firm

NEW DELHI, FEB 9

(PTI): The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday said it has seized Rs 1.4 crore in cash from the premise of a Kolkatabased company and has identified a person who was “handling illegal cash of a minister” allegedly generated from coal smuggling. The federal probe agency issued a statement saying it raided the premises of the Gajraj Group at Earle Street in West Bengal’s capital Kolkata on Wednesday.

Half eaten body of missing woman found

RISHIKESH, FEB 9 (PTI): Police on Thursday found a half-eaten body of a missing woman from the buffer zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve. Body of 38-year-old Kamala Devi was found near Badangarh canal by forest guards, Chief Conservator of Forest, Kumaon Prasanna Kumar Patra said. Kamala Devi was missing since Wednesday evening from a village in Salt area of Almora district, he said. It is not clear whether she was killed by a tiger or leopard, Patra said.

7 die of asphyxiation while cleaning oil tank

KAKINADA (AP), FEB. 9 (PTI): Seven workers of an edible oil factory in a village near here were asphyxiated on Thursday when they got into an oil tank to clean it, police said. The incident occurred at G Ragampet around 7 am, they said.

As per initial reports, the deceased were from Paderu and Pulimeru of Peddapuram mandal.

Two women drug smugglers arrested JAMMU, FEB 9 (PTI):

Two women inter-state drug smugglers were among four people arrested in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba and Kishtwar districts on Thursday, officials said. Intercepting a bus on the highway in Samba’s Vijaypur area, a police team recovered 200 grams of heroin and Rs 24,920 lakh in cash from the two women, they said. The police also arrested a peddler, identified as Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, and supplier Shahnawaz Ahmed in Kishtwar, the officials said.

Calcutta HC orders

termination of 2,819 non-teaching staff

KOLKATA, FEB 9

(IANS): A single judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) to terminate the services of 2,819 illegally-appointed nonteaching staff of GroupD category in different state-run schools. Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the Calcutta High Court directed the commission to upload the list of these 2,819 non-teaching staff on the commission’s website within 24 hours and accordingly start the process of terminating their services.

11 children fall sick with measles infection in Indore in one week

INDORE, FEB 9 (PTI): Indore city has reported 11 measles cases among children in the last seven days, a health official said on Thursday. Ten of these children were not vaccinated against the infectious disease, he added. Eleven children in the 6 months-to-nine years age group have contracted the infection since February 2, district immunization officer Dr Tarun Gupta told PTI.