On the right track
Your cover story on life in the time of coronavirus was informative. On reading it, I understood how science was finding solutions to tackle the deadly virus, and the ways in which we can stay calm during the crisis (‘When the wild moves in’, March 29). India can take on the Covid-19 challenge, but we need to prepare ourselves for community transmission, just in case that happens.
Covid-19 has wreaked havoc the world over. Till some months ago, none of the developed countries had thought that they would face such a grave situation.
I agree with Dr Priya Abraham that research on drugs should be expedited. I have read reports that the virus will not survive the summer in India. I hope that turns out to be true.
Devender Tokas,
On email.
It is wrong to say that India seems to have missed the bus while tackling Covid-19. When you compare with some of the western countries we are far ahead. Yes, density of population is a challenge, but we need to deal with that.
I hope the government is better prepared in the days to come and is able to handle the situation well. I hope this menace ends in April itself.
Tigin Thomas,
On email.
The whole world has been distressed with the pandemic. Media organisations like yours went beyond the call of duty to bring authentic information to readers.
Coronavirus, I am sure, will soon be a thing of the past.
Srikanth Chatrapathy,
On email.
Virus knows no boundaries. So everyone should unite in fighting this scourge rather than meeting their selfish ends. A complete lockdown, for some days, is a good decision. This, when there are no vaccines available to treat the virus infection.
The efforts put in by our Central and state governments to tackle the pandemic need to be appreciated, but at the same time transparency, adopting healthy practices, social-distancing, sharing authentic information, overcoming social stigma have to be encouraged, rather than locking the stable door after the horse has been stolen.
Vijay Singh Adhikari
On email.
Your continuous coverage of coronavirus deserves praise. No other news publication has done so many cover stories on the pandemic. But I hope you will not have to do more cover stories on this subject, and the situation gets better in the coming days.
Vrinda Gopi,
On email.
This was wrong
There was shock across India seeing Ranjan Gogoi falling for a ‘gift from the government’, within months of his retirement (‘Justice not delayed’, March 29). This act has not only shaken people’s faith in the independence of the highest court of the country, but also dented their trust in judiciary as the last saviour.
R.D. Singh,
On email.
The nomination of Gogoi to the Rajya Sabha is an act of subjugation of judiciary by the Narendra Modi government. Gogoi did not hesitate to accept the nomination, despite his earlier avatar as a champion of the independence of the judicial system, which he flaunted at the unprecedented press conference held along with four other judges, before he became Chief Justice.
By accepting the nomination, Gogoi has displayed his policy of self-promotion and total disregard for principles and ethics.
Narayanan K.,
Udupi, Karnataka.
Dwindling fan base
It has been an interminable wait for fans, and for all political groups in Tamil Nadu who are tracking Rajinikanth’s move closely (‘A hero’s dilemma’, March 29). Unlike his illustrious contemporary Kamal Haasan, who took the plunge but has not been able to make much headway, Rajini has been keeping his cards close to his chest.
There is little doubt that there has been a steep erosion in Rajini’s fan base with the rise of actors like Vijay, and this could be a reason as to why he is dithering at the moment.
C.V. Aravind,
On email.
Rajinikanth, I feel, is not confident of leading a political party in Tamil Nadu. Today, no south Indian actor can command the kind of adulation actors of yesteryear like MGR or NTR commanded.
R. Sairam,
On email.
Why that delay?
Your article on the wait of three families bound by a heinous crime, I felt, was more sympathetic
to the mothers of the rapists (‘Caught in a loop’, March 22).
Repeated pleas filed by the Nirbhaya convicts have made a mockery of our judicial system. Why were the lives of these killers so important in the first place? Did Nirbhaya get such a chance?
For the brutality they showed, they should have been hanged long ago.
K. Aravinda Upadhyaya,
On email.
I empathise with the parents of Nirbhaya and her killers. For their heinous crime, these criminals deserved to be penalised. It also served as a deterrent to others.
But, was hanging them to death the only way to punish them?
F.M. Britto,
Raipur, Chhattisgarh.