sentinelgroup@gmail.com

Rise of digital entrepreneurship

In recent years, Assam has witnessed a silent but powerful transformation—the rise of digital entrepreneurship among the youth. With increased internet penetration, access to smartphones, and the growth of social media platforms, a new generation of Assamese entrepreneurs is breaking traditional barriers and building businesses from their homes, laptops, and mobile phones.

From content creators, food bloggers, and online tutors to handmade crafts sellers, digital marketers, and app developers, Assam’s youth are exploring diverse fields. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and even X (formerly Twitter) are no longer just tools for socializing—they have become income sources and brand-building platforms. Young women are using these spaces to promote local handloom and traditional jewellery, while tech-savvy youth are launching mobile apps and websites catering to Assamese culture, language, and regional services.

This digital wave has been especially significant in smaller towns and rural areas, where job opportunities are limited. The COVID-19 pandemic further pushed people online, and many discovered creative ways to earn while staying at home. Local brands are now collaborating with micro-influencers to reach niche Assamese audiences, creating a whole new ecosystem of content and commerce.

However, challenges remain. Internet connectivity in remote areas, lack of financial literacy, cybersecurity risks, and the absence of formal support systems often limit the full potential of this trend. While some have found great success, others struggle due to lack of mentorship or market access. The government and educational institutions can play a big role by providing training in digital skills, funding opportunities for startups, and organizing boot camps to promote entrepreneurship. If nurtured properly, digital entrepreneurship can not only solve the state’s unemployment issues but also preserve and promote Assamese culture in the digital world.

Assam’s youth are no longer waiting for jobs—they are creating them. The digital revolution in the state is just beginning, and its future looks promising.

Darshana Nath

Gauhati University

Gaurav shouldn’t put the Congress in jeopardy

Mr Gaurav Gogoi understands that time is of the essence. As things stand, every minute and every hour counts for the Congress party in the run-up to the Assembly election scheduled for April 2026. He cannot afford to delay issuing a white paper addressing the allegations of a “Pakistan link” made against him and his family by his opponent. As a public figure, Mr Gogoi must come clean without delay. The people of Assam deserve to know the facts, and evading questions would only damage both his reputation and the Congress party’s standing. This controversy is also believed to have contributed to the Congress’ poor performance in the recently held panchayat elections.

While nobody questions Mr Gogoi’s honesty and integrity, that alone is not sufficient. He must address and refute each allegation clearly and convincingly. Waiting until the deadline set by his opponent—10th September 2025—would be politically disastrous for both him and his party.

Prafulla Dowarah,

Guwahati

Sugar boards in schools

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, which once was a predominantly adult condition, is on the rise in children. The commonest reason for the changing trend is not difficult to guess: easy access to sugary snacks and beverages. The calorie intake through sugary foods forms a substantial chunk among the 4-18-year-olds. Since unhealthy children grow into unproductive adults, it is time for all stakeholders to expeditiously address the issue. That the primary focus should lie on schoolchildren who are lured by cakes, pastries, cold drinks, among others, that are readily available in the vicinity of schools is implied. There is also a pressing need to inculcate “no sugar” knowledge into the school students. Against this backdrop, it is good to know that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has, acting on the suggestions of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), asked all affiliated schools to set up “Sugar Boards” at schools. These should display information, as well as educate the children about the perils of excessive sugar intake. Awareness should be created among schoolchildren on the recommended intake and health risks of sugary foods and beverages. A ‘healthy school atmosphere’ should be the overall aim. If meticulously planned and efficiently implemented, the ‘sugar boards’ can prove to be game changers, and all state board schools may take a cue from the CBSE circular.

Dr Ganapathi Bhat

(gbhat13@gmail.com)

What is friendship?

Friendship is a deep and meaningful bond built on trust, respect, and understanding. It goes beyond shared interests – true friends support each other through life’s highs and lows. In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, friendship offers comfort, loyalty, and a sense of belonging. Good friends encourage growth and challenge us to be better. Whether near or far, friendship is a connection of hearts that endures time and distance and reminds us that we are not alone. Friendship is one of life’s greatest treasures.

Sofikul Islam,

Goalpara.

Tiger fatalities and wildlife conservation

The frequent occurrence of human-animal conflict in the state has deeply hurt the animal lovers and environmentalists. Till recently, there were almost regular news of human-elephant conflict, and now, we have come to learn about the killing of a tiger at Barbil in Budha Chapori in Bokakhat. The entire Brahmaputra Chapori has of late become a habitat for tigers and other wild animals that come out of the Kaziranga National Park. After preying freely on the cattle there, they become powerful in the Chapori, which provided a section of people with the opportunity for killing tigers. The revenge killing of tigers lays bare the critical gaps that still exist in the conservation efforts by the state’s forest department and local administration. A question arises here: why do animals stray outside the protected areas into the human landscape? Deprived of their natural habitat and due to a shrinking prey base, tigers are increasingly falling upon poultry and livestock and consequently falling victim to retaliatory killings. Other reasons that make the situation worse are infrastructure development and loss of forest cover due to illegal logging. Should we allow the worsening situation to continue? The answer is definitely “NO”. The Saturday (24 May ) editorial ‘Strategising wildlife conservation’ has said that the Standard Operating Proceduree (SOP), issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, needs to be executed cautiously as it aims at reducing the incidents of tiger straying in human-dominated landscapes under the expert team of veterinarians, but sadly, there is gross laxity in the execution of the SOP. The Forest Department and different NGOs working on wildlife conservation should go for a comprehensive review of the approach, involving local administration and police authorities to identify the gaps and evolve new strategies to address those and ensure that participants in the awareness drives understand clearly the dos and don’ts in the conservation of wildlife. We need to change the common perception that the FD is solely responsible for wildlife protection and conservation. We therefore need a mass awareness movement across the state to bring the concerned department and villagers closer to the wildlife conservation process. One should always keep in mind that a forested area is a well-known wildlife territory. Land conversation in and around wildlife habitats must stop if we want to provide some breathing space to wildlife. Merely gloating over the ‘conservation success’ in one or two national parks or sanctuaries can never hide the appalling conditions afflicting most other wildlife habitats. The time has come for launching a movement for habitat protection across the state before it is too late.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

Nothing succeeds like success

As a nation, we were the first to help our neighbours and the world at large in trying times, in calamities, and in pandemics. Quite often, we take the lead even without being asked. But when we as a nation need something, most nations barring two – Israel and Russia – come to our support. The so-called multilateral institutions prefer to look elsewhere. In the recent skirmish with our neighbours, we took decisions which took care of our national interest, and most nations were either indifferent or dealt in platitudes. Worse, they conflated the rogue nation with us to portray this as an Indian misadventure. That India took the lead to eradicate the scourge of the world – terrorism – was conveniently forgotten. This begs the question why. The reason really is simple.

Today, India is the fourth largest economy in the world. It has moved from an importer of weapons to an exporter of weapons, has made tremendous strides in the arena of space and is generally galloping forward at a brisk pace. In effect, threatening the established world order. The world does not like a strong, self-reliant and assertive India. After all, we are the land of naked sadhus and snake charmers. We are the land of extreme population and rank poverty. When a nation which has carried such perceptions for decades decides to protect its own interests, the rich and developed nations do not like it. Of course, the poor nations will certainly not like it; after all, no one likes somebody to live above his station. Be that as it may, when a proud nation decides to do what it needs to do to protect its interests and its citizens’ interests, none of the carping and criticism matters. In this respect, three prime ministers stand out – Indira Gandhi, Vajpayee and Modi. They do what is right and not what is expedient. They do not kowtow to the nations which want to see us poor and backward. And global opinion be damned. In this respect, we are a lot like Israel. When Israel launched an attack on Gaza in retaliation for the terrorist attacks, every nation except India criticised them, but they did what they needed to do. Our problem is that we not only have to contend with external criticism, but we also must deal with the traitors within – the Indian political parties, led by the loose-talking politicians. When these guys question the government, they lend a handle to our enemies, who gleefully accept such gifts.

Will these guys learn? Not a chance. Their only trip is to get into power. I am quite sanguine that the Indian citizen is quite aware and will not let these traitors anywhere near the corridors of power. We may be alone, but we have our wills and our commitment to our country. Whether the world is with us or against us, whether our political parties are in sync with us or not, it really does not matter. We will progress, and we will protect our interests. Nothing succeeds like success.

CK Subramaniam

(cksumpire@gmail.com)

Source link