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27

Change for the better

A robot-influenced transformation is the need of the hour, and I am happy that the pandemic has paved the way for it; robots are going to change our lives drastically in the coming years. However, I am not that convinced about whether they can wholly replace human jobs. Humans are, after all, humans (‘They, robots’, June 27).

It has been proven that robots can produce high-quality and accurate work. But robots can transform the world only if they work hand-in-hand with humans.

I hope we produce more and more socially intelligent robots in India. We desperately need them here.

Vyas Nandagopal,

On email.

 

 

Even though I am against machines replacing humans, it was astounding to read about the sensational progress of robots. Robots, which emit high-voltage shock when shouted at, can even jump the gun.

Can robots eat and sleep, which only we can do? And, can robots die? With the kind of animated advancement robots have accomplished, nobody can rule out these things.

Sanath Kumar T.S.,

On email.

 

I was particularly impressed with the edutainment bot that grows wiser and develops a bond with children. It will be so much more useful to children than smartphones and laptops. 

I agree with Rajeev Karwal that robots must have their own mind, remember their own maps and have their own batteries. 

T.V. Jayaprakash,

On email.

 

No substitute for physical classes

Though it might be a tall claim when Anil Dattatraya Sahasrabudhe, chairman, All India Council for Technical Education, said they did much better than how they did in a non-pandemic year, it is true that online classes have helped a section of students (‘Unstoppable!’, June 27). 

All said, there can be no substitute for physical classes. In online classes a child’s mind can get distracted; when classes go on for longer hours it even affects their mental state.

Let us hope that physical classes resume soon for students, as there can be no substitute for it.

K. Ganesh,

On email.

 

Speak in one voice

It is worrying that the relations between the Centre and state governments have worsened since the pandemic began (‘Disease of disharmony’, June 27). The BJP leaders, and in particular Narendra Modi, have the habit of taking credit when everything goes well, but they are quick to blame states when thing are not good. This is not right behaviour.

I agree with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel that the Centre should not be vengeful towards opposition-ruled states. India should speak in one voice when it comes to dealing with the pandemic.

Vismay Mathur,

On email.

Existential crisis

For a beleaguered political party that is yet to recover from the magnitude of electoral defeats and defections, the exodus of young and committed leaders, who were close confidants of Congress supremo Rahul Gandhi, is yet another indicator of the existential crisis faced by the Congress in recent times (‘All heat, no dust’, June 27).  

The pathetic fall of the one-time majestic Indian National Congress can be attributed to its total disconnect with the grassroots, coupled with its wilful reluctance to look beyond the Nehru-Gandhi family, and its obsession to invoke dynastic politics to revive its electoral fortunes, which has been decisively rejected by the electorate time and again.

Suresh Kumar,

On email.

 

Wrong conclusion

Anuja Chauhan feels only Hindu upper-caste men find fault with Muslims, or blame them for love jihad. I find such a conclusion from her side insensitive and inconclusive (‘Rise of the ‘hincels’’, June 27).

Even Christians and Sikhs have blamed a few Muslim men for venturing into the wrong path and trying to lure young girls from their communities for all the wrong things.

It is so convenient for the likes of Anuja to always blame Hindu men for all the wrongdoings in the country.

Yash Kothari,

On email.

Child prodigy

Abhimanyu Mishra is a child prodigy who is going to be the next Viswanathan Anand (‘The boy who would be king’, June 20). Great talents are identified from a young age. With a very sharp mind, Abhimanyu will go places.

His parents have aptly named him Abhimanyu. In the Mahabharat, it was Abhimanyu who successfully broke the war formation set up by the Kaurvas. I am sure Abhimanyu will defeat all his mighty rivals with a similar sharp mind.

Shweta Chaudhary,

Delhi.

 

I feel sorry for Abhimanyu who has been robbed of his childhood by his own father. How can a child be forced to train for 10 to 12 hours a day?

Manoranjan Rao,

On email.

 

Befitting tribute

Your special issue on Rajiv Gandhi was a befitting tribute to a person who was thrown into the maelstrom of Indian politics following the assassination of his mother Indira Gandhi (‘Rajiv’s discovery of India’, May 30). Many unknown facets of Rajiv’s personality were brought to the fore by people who interacted with him regularly.

I must congratulate everyone at THE WEEK.

Asha Krishnakumar,

On email.