Timely story
Your cover story (‘Enter the little dragon’, February 9) was timely and comprehensive. Covering an issue which has worldwide concern is not only commendable but also commensurate with the true spirit of journalism.
The actual number of victims in China—where the media is largely censored—is quite unlikely to come forth. So, the gravity of the problem can be understood only through such meaningful reporting. Such stories make the common man aware of the dreaded virus and give a wake-up call to the government machinery, which usually acts only at the eleventh hour.
Jaideep Mittra
On email.
The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is alarming and advisories have been issued to contain its spread across the globe.
Indian government sent a jumbo jet to rescue Indians who were stuck in Wuhan, China. The Air India team, doctors and the Indian embassy officials in China need to be applauded for their swift action and evacuation efforts.
Varun Dambal
On email.
It is heartening that our government had promptly evacuated 647 Indians from Wuhan through special flights. It was also encouraging to see that the evacuated people had been properly quarantined in facilities created by the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police at Manesar [near Gurugram], as also in a Delhi hospital. The government has also temporarily suspended e-visa facilities for Chinese travellers and foreigners residing in China, and also issued a new travel advisory on visit to China. Covid-19 cases identified in Kerala are well taken care of. The Indian authorities must respond with the same efficiency and urgency to all the natural calamities and emergencies. That is a sign of being sensitive to people and their welfare.
Colonel R.D. Singh (retd)
On email.
It was a news scoop that THE WEEK could get a ringside view of the outbreak of Covid-19 in China in its early stages. More importantly, the cover story could disseminate the lesser known facts about the disease to the readers in good time. After all, it is less daunting to deal with a known enemy.
Raveendranath. A.
On email.
Distressing period
Shashi Tharoor’s column (‘No longer the India the world admired’, February 9) was really inspiring. The whole nation is worried about the future of Indian democracy and the ruling party’s stance against certain religious minorities and castes.
Mohammed T. Dhic
On email.
Startups need support
Setting up a business is not so easy for new entrepreneurs (‘Startups to jumpstart economy’, February 9). The author referred to the success stories of Flipkart, Ola and Uber. But all these multi-national companies are not helpful to our economy. Flipkart and Amazon’s pan-India delivery of goods is harmful to our rural and urban small-business. Thousands of poor people are involved in this native supply-chains. The business tycoons are killing them all.
New entrepreneurs are not experienced enough to compete with big capitalists. The MNCs are enjoying the benefits of the market economy. So, our youth are frustrated. Subsidies are not the remedy here. Only the marketability of startups can help new entrepreneurs to survive.
Tapomoy Ghosh
On email.
Lacklustre budget
Your cover story on the Union budget (‘Is there a way out’, February 2) was interesting. The budget spoke about boosting the income of the people and increasing their purchasing power. However, with the massive economic slowdown in the country, creation of jobs ought to have been the most important agenda. Yet, there was no mention of how the government will create new jobs.
Anish Esteves
On email.
Delayed justice
Our country needs a sound judicial system and what we have at present is far from it (‘Out of options’, February 9). The best example of how our judicial system can be twisted and turned is the Nirbhaya case. A mother has been shedding tears for eight long years, and she finally thought justice was served and the perpetrators of the ghastly crime were to be finally hanged. But, even after the highest constitutional authority, the president, rejected the mercy petitions, the hanging of the convicts is yet to happen.
Rangarajan T.S.
On email.