Watching China closely
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in all likelihood, is the most powerful president China has ever had. He has no challenger. Xi’s intentions were clear when, in 2018, he scrapped the two-term limit on the presidency. This is neither good for China nor for the rest of the world.
It was information to me that Xi relies on the ideas of Wang Huning, who is not known much outside China (‘Confucius in the machine’, December 5). The Chinese government should know that the world is watching them closely, like never before.
Shivam Tyagi,
On email.
The article by Weidong Sun, Chinese ambassador to India, gave me a feeling of deja-vu. I was reminded of the Sunday sermons of our priest, where he described the blessings that God showers on believers. The priest had an advantage—believers agreed with him. But even the Chinese will not believe what Sun wrote.
May I humbly request Sun to read the World Report 2021 and reflect on the atrocities committed by the Chinese government on its own citizens and the people of Hong Kong.
China is constantly trying to inflict fear on the Taiwanese by demonstrating its brute military strength. The tears of the Dalai Lama, and his peaceful followers, have not yet dried up. We, the Indians, will never forget the unwarranted aggression that the Chinese army had unleashed on our northern border.
I fail to understand the theory behind Chinese democracy. How can a government be democratic if it cannot tolerate even mild protests from its own people?
George Mathai,
On email.
It is increasingly clear that China is a threat to the entire world. Let the Chinese intentions fall apart soon. If it happens now, the impact on the world economy is going to be limited. India has the potential to replace China as the production hub of the world.
Binoj Mathew C.,
On email.
Your cover story gave a graphic description of all that is happening in China now. But the article by Ambassador Sun was a let-down. He described China as a democracy, but the whole world knows that President Xi wants to remain ruler for life. There is no freedom of speech in China. So many who have spoken against the Communist Party of China have gone missing.
I think you would have done well had you asked the ambassador about the problems that China has had with various countries, and on how it is treating Muslims, among other ethnic minorities.
Jothindra,
Mysuru, Karnataka.
Why the reference to trinity?
Please keep in mind the calibre of our members of Parliament, both in the opposition and treasury benches. Do not expect a healthy discussion as the opposition is shamefully dumb; most of them are mute spectators.
Also, please do not involve the mighty trinity [trimurti] into these trivialities in an effort to make the write-up religious. It is a dangerous trend these days, beware (‘PMO Beat’, December 5).
P.S. Muthanna,
On email.
Fair and affordable hospitals
I have been an avid reader of THE WEEK for over 26 years. I wish to mention that THE WEEK-Hansa Research survey on India’s best hospitals was a welcome read (‘Helping the healer’, November 28). Now your readers can approach these hospitals for any health-related issues. It will help us get the right treatment and will save precious time.
I am anxiously expecting another important category in your best hospitals package—one on ‘fair and affordable hospitals’. It is the need of the hour.
Prakash Arjun,
On email.
In your lead story, you covered the sacrifices of doctors under pressure, dedication of nurses, and upgradation and digitisation of hospitals worldwide on account of the pandemic. Yet, I lost my wife due to complications of Covid-19 on May 21, simply because I could not find a proper hospital, competent doctors and essential medicines during the initial stages of the second wave—in a city like Bengaluru, which has some of the best hospitals in the country.
Some call it fate or God’s will, but the world, with all spectacular scientific developments, is yet to come to terms with the vagaries of nature even in an advanced country like the US.
K.V. Jayaram,
On email.
I have been a regular subscriber of your magazine for several years. The annual special on India’s best hospitals was exhausting yet informative. Didn’t this herculean task necessitate gigantic efforts and huge expenditure?
I was wondering whether it was an exercise in futility. Out of curiosity, I opened Google, browsed through relevant websites, and the information available was comparable with your survey results. Though concise, it was enough for any aspirant to choose from.
R.K. Mathur (retired air vice marshal),
Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Private health care in India has developed tremendously with multi-specialty hospitals, which are keeping pace with technological advancements. However, in India, affordable medical care in the private sector remains a distant dream. Judicious use of expensive diagnostics procedures and medication, and treatment decisions by health care specialists can bring down hospitalisation costs.
My nonagenarian mother was admitted to a well-known multi-specialty hospital in Kochi, and was attended to by a team of specialists. Diagnosed with uterine cancer, she underwent radiation therapy, and was given antibiotics and steroids. She was discharged on the sixth day on oxygen support. The bill came to more than Rs1 lakh. My mother lived for four more days.
Mathew G. Nanakkal,
Bengaluru.