My letter to The Chief Minister of West Bengal

To

Smt. Mamata Banerjee

Honourable Chief Minister of West Bengal

Nabanna (14th floor)

325, Sarat Chatterjee Road

Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal - 711102

Respected Ma'am,

With due respect ma'am, I'm trying to explain one of the most underrated but a chronic problem that we are suffering since decades. I'm sure there must be a million people across the state, who are suffering from the same. Throughout the year, local clubs (political and apolitical both) organises roughly five blood donation camps, five to ten cultural events, five major religious festivals, at least five nationally important days, and innumerable political meetings during election and most importantly, we have to tolerate tremendous noise from mic in those occasions! I live in one of the typical narrow lanes of central part of Kolkata and at least three mics are installed just in front of our window for each and every mentioned occasions! I don't think that the problem is limited in my locality only, but all of my fellow citizens of West Bengal have to face the same.

With due respect ma'am, I know there are different rules and laws regarding the usage of mic and loudspeakers but the rules are hardly effective. Sometimes we request the organisers to lower the volume, but you know ma'am, it hardly works. Just a month ago, we have experienced the situation that is next to life threatening due to extreme usage of microphones and loudspeakers for campaign for the Loksabha Election by different political parties! We love festivals and respect election. But is mic the only way to express festivity or showcase of agendas? Except for the important announcements by police or government, do the mic and loudspeakers really meaningful? Usage of mic in main roads can be tolerable to certain extent. But I would like to draw your kind attention about the unnecessary usage of mic in the narrow lanes.

We, the students of different ages have tireless exam schedule throughout the year. Not only just board exams, there are hundreds of state and national level educational entrance exams, there are exams for school, college and university students and a lot more exams for job throughout the year and not less than a few million candidates of West Bengal are preparing for them. But the intolerable noise is not just let us prepare effectively but we can't just stay home calmly! Apart from the students, most of the families have old men and at least two patients of high blood pressure. You know ma'am, how much it makes trouble for them.

My humble request to our beloved chief minister of our state, kindly look into the problem and take necessary steps. Most awaiting Durga Puja is roughly sixty days to go. Kolkata and each and every corner of West Bengal has been preparing for the grand celebration. But my request to you ma'am, don't let the sound pollution make it a nightmare! Your kind attention into the problem can make million people happier.

Yours faithfully,

Pathik Ghosh

Calcutta, West Bengal - 700009

Picture Courtesy