End: 2023
Your cover story on how the world is likely to be a different place after Covid-19 was really interesting. The pandemic has taken our lives into reset mode. Only God knows what lies ahead. The good thing is we have started valuing and cherishing even minor things, and have become more grounded (‘Simple pleasures of tomorrow’, September 19). But there are so many things we are missing out on and yearning for badly.
The pandemic has forced us to rely on technology in ways we had never done before. There are good and bad sides to everything. Using technology in just about everything will make us all introverts in the coming years. It is important to interact with peers on a regular basis.
I hope that at least by the end of 2023 there will be a permanent end to the pandemic and we all can return to our normal lives.
Dilip Saxena,
Delhi.
The article by Mohandas Pai was enlightening. It gave a sparkling glimpse into the education system and its challenges in the future. I want to thank Pai for this insightful article.
Praveen Babu,
On email.
I found the lead article by Anjuly Mathai on the simple pleasures of tomorrow laden with optimism in this unfortunate period of pandemic. The idea ‘die to reborn’ is rooted in hope; a value that we need to hold on to amid the adversities around us. Thank you for publishing Anjuly’s article, which spreads hope.
Rins Padamattummal,
On email.
It was soothing to read Takhtani’s essay. Her optimism inspires me to do ordinary things creatively.
John Samuel,
Bengaluru.
The essay by Esha Deol Takhtani was quite inspiring. After reading it, I remembered my mother and how she brought me up. Every mother wants her child to cultivate values and virtues. This essay enlightens mothers to support and help their children during the pandemic.
Merinth Aamose A.,
On email.
The pandemic has taken a huge toll on people’s mental health the world over, and it is quite worrying. There is nobody who has not been affected by it.
I feel sad for today’s children. They are suffering much more. This is not how childhood should be. Socialising is an important skill that should be nurtured in children. I hope there is no long-term bearing of all this on children. Our next generation should be better off than we are.
Vyom Prakash,
On email.
Too good
I want to congratulate all the Paralympics winners for a brilliant performance (‘Para paradise’, September 19). Such outstanding performances on their part is an inspiration for all differently-abled people in the country.
Saul Abhishek,
Thiruvananthapuram.
Stop them
Pakistan created Taliban and many other terrorist organisations, mainly for territorial expansion in India. Now, it has also occupied Afghanistan (‘Taliban trending’, September 19). The half-a-dozen terrorist organisations that exist in this region will not sit idle. They will create havoc, first in India, and later in other countries.
Sudhansu S. Tunga,
Kolkata.
Pressure politics
I am surprised by Anuja Chauhan’s naivety (‘Encourage political aspirants’, September 19). Is politics limited to promoting interests of narrowly defined groups?
Chauhan wants us to support the traders’ party in Punjab, [Bhartiya Arthik Party]. What happens when our interest as ordinary people conflicts with that of traders—say when we want quality goods for the hard-earned money we spend, but traders will force us to buy what they offer? Or, what if farmers want a price for their onions or tomatoes, which make them unaffordable for ordinary citizens? Will Chauhan then ask farmers to accept a lower price for onions?
To me politics is commitment to an ideology, which may or may not be acceptable to all, but treats all people as equals. The groups which promote the interest of only a particular set of people—whether traders, farmers or street fighters—is a pressure group, and not a political party.
T. Sudhakar Bhat,
On email.
Fault-finder Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor says the infrastructure for online education is inadequate today. So, what did the UPA government do all these years? (‘Last word’, September 19).
Nitpicking will only boomerang on Tharoor’s own party. He should stop finding fault like this, like how mothers-in-law usually do.
Kaniyanoor Sundar,
On email.
Besides giving food for thought, Tharoor’s column has created a record of sorts! The first sentence of the last paragraph (few would have noted) contains 126 words!
A. Balagangadharan
On email.