Election is just around the corner. And people hope to see changes and development. The expectations of voters regarding election outcomes appear to be mostly influenced by their own political preferences. When GPlus asked a few of the people of Guwahati what is that one change they want to see this time, here's what they said.
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A 50-year-old woman from Latasil expressed her disappointment, saying, “Every time a new government comes in, we hope for better days. But it seems like only the rich and the poor benefit. The middle class feels left out. I hope this time they consider our struggles too”.
One of the students from Gauhati Commerce College raised the issue of uncontrolled road construction, stating, "the roads that are being constructed in Guwahati lead to traffic chaos. It's good to see the government working for the people but it should be ensured that it doesn't create another problem".
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While traffic has become a major concern in the city, construction is visible in every other lane and cranny. The construction work of the roads and drains should be done at a faster pace to tackle the problem.
"As a student, I feel the need to highlight some problems faced by students and parents. The fee structure of the government institutions should be looked at. The people below the poverty line cannot afford expensive education," emphasised the student.
Indeed, the issue highlighted is of paramount importance. Government institutions have long been regarded as bastions of affordable education.
However, the recent escalation in fees has posed significant challenges for less privileged families.
Students often gravitate towards government education precisely because they cannot afford the exorbitant fees of private colleges or schools.
It is imperative that the government scrutinise and regulate the fee structure to ensure accessibility and equity in education for all.
Another man from Barowari questioned the distribution of resources, saying, “Before they build more hospitals, schools, and stuff, they need to make sure they're properly staffed. Why do we always end up rushing to GMCH? What about the other government hospitals? These are things they need to sort out this time”. It seems that many government hospitals are not equipped to serve us. Upon hearing this, another man joined in the conversation to say, “When we talk about development, it's not just about big buildings. It's about being able to afford the basics like food. But with prices going up, it's getting harder for us. We need things like rice, grains, and vegetables to be more affordable, or we'll struggle to survive”. This raises the question, can development take place in such a manner?
Another concerned resident of Chandmari brought up the rising crime rates, especially violence against women, saying, “Crime is rising, especially against women. We need the authorities to pay more attention to our safety, especially for women. It's really important this time”. So, this year will safety, especially for women, be the top priority for the authorities?
Another student emphasised the importance of resolving critical issues such as the deteriorating GMCH link Road. "There are some problems in the city that need to be resolved. For example, the GMCH link Road that GPlus recently raised about the bad condition of the important road. Such issues should be looked upon by the government," he said. He continued, "the roads of Guwahati that are being dug by the JICA are kept as it is in many places. This is a serious issue as it creates hurdles in everyone's commute”.
Furthermore, concerns were raised about the delayed conduct of exams, causing confusion among students. "The exam forms are being filled up but the exams are conducted very late which causes confusion among the students," he highlighted.
The stress of exams is palpable. Students are already overwhelmed by the prospect of appearing for exams.
However, the unregulated scheduling of exams adds another layer of anxiety. Given that college years are pivotal for students, timely and organised exam conduct is imperative.
Again, a concerned person from Rajgarh mentioned unemployment, saying, “Despite efforts to create jobs, unemployment is still a big issue. I think the government needs to step up its game in supporting employment and helping businesses get started. They're doing something, but they could do more”. We all believe that we need more jobs and support for small businesses to thrive, don't you agree?
A student addressed the issue of flash floods in the city, stating, "there is a big issue of flash floods in the city. The artificial flood just after a bout of rain, leads to many problems for the people. There is water logging and commotion on the streets". The problem of waterlogging and flash floods, particularly in areas near Rajgarh, Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Hatigaon, etc., needs urgent attention according to him. "Additionally, the pollution in Guwahati is rising and should be addressed”, he voiced. Due to the construction work, the pollution level in the state went up, leading to the city of Guwahati becoming the 2nd most polluted in the world.
Preserving the rich cultural heritage of Assam was also stressed. "The preservation of the culture of Assam should be given importance. The heritage and the traditions should be preserved and encouraged in the state. This will help to keep our tradition alive. The next party in power will surely look into this," said a passionate citizen for cultural preservation. Moreover, the syllabus of the education system was scrutinised. "The syllabus should be made student-friendly. Not all of us can afford to buy references, so it should be prepared in such a way that serves as enough for the students without looking for references," he emphasised.
These diverse voices underscore the myriad challenges confronting the people of Guwahati.
With the election on the horizon, the expectations for the incoming political leadership are high, and citizens hope their concerns will be addressed effectively.