GUWAHATI, July 22 - The Guwahati Senior Citizens� Association (GSCA) has appealed to the State�s one million educated elderly people to engage themselves in a �new national crusade against superstitions, prejudices and corruption.�
The association, in its meeting held under the presidentship of DN Chakravartty today, reviewed the �tragic situation� in the State over the last two decades in which scores of unfortunate men and women fell prey to violence and hatred unleashed by a section of illiterate people who, under the spell of so-called magicians, quacks and fake priests, have sacrificed innocent and poverty-stricken women, children and men to satiate some so-called presiding deities of wealth and fortune.
The association also appealed to the educated sections of the people, especially youths and teachers, to devote at least two days every month to creating awareness among the rural people � particularly young girls and women � against the notorious designs of unscrupulous men and false financial companies through the medium of social networking sites.
Initiating the discussion on the present situation in general and in Assam in particular, Chakravartty said that corruption in all branches of administration had reached such a stage that there was not a single department in the country which could be said to be free from the scourge.
Stating that corruption was rampant in the country, Chakravartty said that poverty had increased and national wealth had got concentrated in the hands of a few billionaires, and that �it is a pity that industrial and economic growth in Assam has nosedived, driving about three million Assamese youths out of jobs and forcing four lakh youths to move out of the State in search of petty jobs in south and north India.�
Eli Ahmed, who was recently awarded by the Sahitya Akademi, was also felicitated on the occasion.
Tabiul Hussain, member in charge of administration, explained the steps being taken by the GSCA to celebrate the 16th foundation day of the association on August 27 in which a couple of dignitaries of the country will participate as chief guests.
Krishnakanta Lahkar, member, finance, and Hemchandra Sarma, member, public relations, presented their monthly reports. SK Baruah, Dr Malati Baruah, advocate Suniti Sonowal, Uttam Baruah, Khanindra Chandra Das and Dr Devdas Bharali stressed the need for joint action of all the associations in the State against corruption in administration, social vices and indiscipline among youths. The next meeting of the GSCA will be held on August 18.
