Countering China
China is getting increasingly dangerous. It is losing influence, and is enjoying its isolated existence. It is a misfortune of sorts to have the Chinese as our immediate neighbours (‘Himalayan misadventure’, July 4). The real threat for us is from China, and not Pakistan, which neither has a strong military nor a strong economy.
It is about time we caught up with the Chinese militarily. Even economically, India has to narrow the gap with China. There has to be a tit-for-tat response each time China shows its uncalled-for adventurism. Countering China boldly is the need of the hour.
It is a bitter truth that no country can deal with China on its own. Only a strong alliance against China can keep a check on it.
Devender Tokas,
On email.
With China expanding its military strength consistently, India is in a precarious position. The appointment of General Bipin Rawat as the chief of defence staff was a great leap that will help in uniting our armed forces.
Setting up theatre commands, on the lines of the superpowers, was a crucial decision that will indicate to China that India can no longer be taken lightly.
Sobhana Chalam,
On email.
Today, China’s presence is felt in every corner of the world.
For China, India is not its primary threat. Rather, it wants a stable relation with India. China won’t go for a two-front war with the US and India, as it is wary of facing the US navy in the sea and Indian military on its southern border.
G. Venkatakuppuswamy,
On email.
Worth emulating
Milkha Singh was one of the greatest Indian athletes (‘Indomitable spirit’, July 4). To him, India came first, and everything else was second. Milkha’s passion, dedication and consistent efforts will remain examples for generations to come.
Sunil Chopra,
On email.
Recently a publication in Mysuru carried an article on Kunjiyanda Aiyanna of Coorg, who defeated Milkha quite a few times. In the photograph that accompanied the story I was surprised to see Milkha standing on the podium below Aiyanna.
THE WEEK would do well to find more about Aiyanna and why he did not go further. People like Aiyanna also deserve to be celebrated for their feats.
Jothindra P.L.,
On email.
Milkha was grateful for all that he achieved, rather than staying sullen over what he missed. That is how legends behave. They do not let their past haunt them.
Milkha taught his countrymen to take all that life throws at them in their stride.
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,
Faridabad, Haryana.
What about Kerala?
While Swara Bhasker extensively wrote on wrongdoings in Uttar Pradesh, the situation in Kerala is more appalling (‘When empathy is criminal’, July 4). It was recently reported that a man in Thiruvananthapuram planted a packet of narcotics in the apparel shop of the woman who rejected him. That amounts to two crimes in one stroke. Such acts are unheard of elsewhere.
There was also this instance of a wife being locked for ten years by her husband. One also hears about dowry deaths of the weird types in Kerala.
Sanath Kumar T.S.,
On email.
Wear helmet
Varun Ramesh Balan’s article on helmets was much appreciated (‘Drive to live’, July 4). In spite of strict enforcement by traffic personnel, a vast number of people in the country still do not wear helmets. Unless the law is enforced this will continue.
In my state of Tamil Nadu, people have been neglecting helmets, which is not good.
M. Sampath Kumar,
Erode, Tamil Nadu.
New work culture
Your cover story on robots, apprising readers about revolutionary changes, particularly in surgeries, was thought-provoking and interesting (‘They, robots’, June 27). It is an undeniable fact that with the invention of robots a new era of work culture has begun.
Surinder Sharma,
On email.
Robotics has gained more dominance in every aspect of our day-to-day life; from early inception to replacing humans engaged in risky jobs.
With the advancement in artificial intelligence, robots are fed with algorithms to do specific jobs, involving skilled operations.
During the pandemic, the role of robots in clearing debris in hospitals and in disinfecting vulnerable areas, where humans are prone to get infected, is remarkable.
B. Gurumurthy,
On email.
While reading your cover story on robots I recalled a series in a newspaper that I used to follow regularly. One episode was on a robot that created so many slaves. Soon, these slaves started controlling the entire humanity. They forced people to eat pills instead of regular food, which led to a lot of frustration and uneasiness.
Your cover story on robots is going to be an eye-opener for so many people.
P.D. Joseph,
On email.
Why divide West Bengal?
I am surprised to hear BJP leaders talking about dividing West Bengal, which is a small state (‘Power point’, July 4). Only those states that are big in size should be divided. States should be divided only for administrative efficiency, and not for political reasons.
Siva Ravindran,
Mumbai.