Warriors, and guides
It was apt of THE WEEK to have come up with a special issue on India’s Covid heroes, a year after the national lockdown (‘Age of heroes’, March 28).
I became emotional reading about men, women and children who did everything they could to protect the needy during the pandemic. These heroes deserve even more recognition for their selfless service towards mankind. Also, it is time all of us imbibed such good qualities in us.
The pandemic is showing no signs of going away. In the coming days we should take even more care, and continue to wear masks and follow social distancing.
David D’Souza,
Mumbai.
You have done an excellent job in researching various known and unknown facets of Covid-19. Your cover story explored everything about care for patients, doctors’ selfless round-the-clock service, good sanitation, feeding the needy, disposing of dead bodies and what not! Let us salute these brave people who stood like a rock, serving Covid patients and common people during the lockdown.
G.V.N. Murthy,
Hyderabad.
The awe-inspiring stories of men and women who braved the pandemic warms the cockles of one’s heart. I really appreciate the effort of your team. Hats off to you.
Kurien Samuel,
On email.
Your special issue on India’s Covid heroes was truly special. There could still be many more such heroes, who are working in the shadows.
My salute to all these heroes who made our life bearable.
Ramachandra Bhat,
On email.
Your cover story was praiseworthy. The real patriots are the ones who look forward to helping people in distress. During the pandemic, many of us were deprived of means of livelihood, leading to hunger; the worst hit were the daily wage employees.
Surinder Pal,
On email.
The hard work of India’s Covid heroes should now be backed up and well supported by effective vaccination. India should be able to vaccinate most of the population as soon as possible to control the virus.
There should be no loss of focus in the drive to improve health infrastructure, especially in backward states like Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. The lessons learnt during the pandemic should not be erased from memory, as it is an experience to prepare for the future.
Jomy Paul,
On email.
Your special issue, which talked about individuals and institutions rising to the occasion to combat Covid-19, was interesting. The humanistic gesture shown by 13-year-old Ananya Srivastava, who offered her small savings to help stranded workers, the innovative spirit of IITs in bringing out N95-class masks on a mass scale, indigenous manufacturing of ventilator against odds, medical staff in government and private hospitals working as quickly as possible to accommodate more patients, noted food suppliers gearing up the supply chain and, on top of all, speedy supply of vaccines are all historic accomplishments that checked the onslaught of the pandemic.
But, before we could rest on our laurels the onslaught of a second wave has placed us back on tenterhooks.
People’s negligence in adhering to safety norms in public places and in election rallies in poll-bound states has accelerated the spread of the virus, causing great concern and necessitating re-imposition of stricter norms.
B. Gurumurthy,
On email.
Believe in democracy
I read with interest your cover story on Kobad Ghandy (‘Left & write’, March 21). The 1970s were the heady days of idealism, and vibrant movements across the world, and Ghandy was attracted to Marxism.
Ghandy does not condemn violence and said it is a non-issue. He talked of divesting wealth of Ambani and Adani. Without wealth creation, how can you even think of equitable distribution? My only question for Ghandy is, can democratic systems not bring in better allocation to health and education and, thereby, improve the condition of masses?
Ghandy is honest in admitting that the red revolution has declined and they have become like the mafia in Jharkhand. I feel he should have invested his intelligence, time, knowledge and commitment to his cause in a democratic system to solve the problems of society. Otherwise, what is the use of saying that he believes in Ambedkar, the architect of our constitution?
Vrajendu Bellary Bhimarao,
On email.
Show some respect
Any reader of THE WEEK would be first going through the Point Blank section for its brevity and depiction of cryptic quotes from important people. But I was stunned after reading what Derek O’Brien had to say about the prime minister and the Union home minister (March 21). Such highly derogatory and objectionable remark by a member of Parliament indicates that he has no respect for Indian judiciary, which has time and again exonerated Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
K.V. Chandrasekharan,
Bengaluru.
AIADMK will return
I feel the AIADMK will come back to power in Tamil Nadu (‘Tactical timeout’, March 21). If that happens, the decision by V.K. Sasikala to withdraw from active politics is not going to have any impact. The votes against the AIADMK-led alliance are going to be split between the DMK-led alliance, Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (part of the AMMK alliance) and Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam, which will eventually help the AIADMK-led alliance.
N. Ravindran,
On email.