Lost the trust
China will continue to get befitting responses if they provoke India (‘How to tame the dragon’, June 28). India has, so far, been guarded in its responses, as the country is going through a pandemic crisis. If there is another Galwan-like face-off, India should change the rules of engagement with China, and get into Chinese territory and set our base there.
The long-standing practice, as per agreements with China, in 1996 and 2005, of not using firearms during a face-off, should cease hereby. The local commanders should be given every right to respond in the manner that they prefer.
Post-Galwan, the Chinese have lost the respect of Indians. We are not going to treat them in the same manner ever again. We will be always suspicious of them.
Gaurav Trivedi,
On email.
There is no point engaging with China at this juncture. We should stop all trade with that country. India should raise the Tibet issue in the United Nations. It should insult and corner China in all international forums.
Taking on China alone is not easy. So, India should build an alliance globally to teach China a lesson. Everyone is angry with China, the number one bully in the world.
Tapesh Nagpal,
On email.
If India goes for a full-scale war with China, it is China that is going to be humiliated. The Chinese may have a slightly superior military, but it is well known that India has an edge in high-altitude mountainous environments like the Galwan valley. Having regular conflicts with Pakistan, our Army, Air Force and Navy have far more experience in actual combat, which the Chinese forces lack.
Post Covid-19, Xi Jinping is having a really tough time. There is palpable anger against him, both within and outside China. His days as president are numbered.
Vismay Mathur,
On email.
We cannot deal with the Chinese the way we deal with the Pakistanis. A BJP government, under Narendra Modi, is expected to strike back tit-for-tat. But, if we carry out an air strike inside China as retaliation, China will come back at us hard.
India can corner China only through trade and diplomacy. We should sort out our bilateral problems with the Chinese through dialogue.
Devender Tokas,
On email.
Racism will exist
Racism is the product of prejudice, and every human being has prejudiced views (‘Racism? Touch up and rip up’, June 28). If someone denies having prejudice, it highlights his lack of self-consciousness. Historically, racism against blacks in the US was created to exploit them. Racism is the product of black exploitation, not its cause.
The nature of exploitation might have changed in modern US, and it might not be visibly perceptible to white Americans, yet colour prejudice exists in the minds of the whites. Still, there is conscious and unconscious denial of racism among the whites, thereby making any effort to remove racism absolutely impossible.
Pankaj Kumar Chatterjee,
On email.
Next chief minister
D.K. Shivakumar is a good leader who is always connected with the people. He is also a troubleshooter, who would go to any extent. The Congress needs leaders like him in every state (‘Troubleshooter on the throne’, June 28). Shivakumar should strengthen the party at the grassroots level. The government in Karnataka is not performing up to the mark, as BJP leaders have issues with B.S. Yediyurappa’s style of functioning.
People of Karnataka, I am sure, are eager see Shivakumar as the next chief minister of the state.
R. Sairam,
On email.
Went too soon
Sushant Singh Rajput was too young to leave us like that (‘Reaching for the stars’, June 28).
All said and done, it is not fair to come to conclusions as to how he died or whether he was the victim of nepotism. It is mostly people who do not know Sushant who are talking about him. Nepotism exists everywhere, not just in the film industry, and we need to live with it.
In a short span, Sushant had got so many opportunities. Just because some of his recent films did not do well, one cannot come to the conclusion that he was sidelined by the biggies. If he was alive, Sushant would have gone on to perform even more memorable roles and would have ruled tinsel town for a long time.
Tigin Thomas,
On email.
Sushant’s death should lead us to a serious discussion on depression. There is an urgent need for such discussions to be de-stigmatised. During the lockdown period, film stars had to curb their movements a lot. None of them are used to sitting at home for a long duration. At least now, actors who are feeling low, for whatever reason, should come out and seek help.
Anjana Unnikrishnan,
On email.
Living legend
Rahul Dravid is one of the most sensible cricketers the world has ever seen. His records speak for themselves (‘Hope we don’t lose a lot of the cricket season’, June 28). He is the right person to be at the helm of the National Cricket Academy and can nurture young talents.
Even as a cricketer, Rahul was quite calm and never used to get angry. His solid defence was legendary. So many great bowlers have had a tough time bowling to him. He was also a decent wicket-keeper.
Tanushri Nagori,
On email.