Your Anniversary Special Double Issue was, as always, a collector’s item. Retired vice admiral Biswajit Dasgupta’s article on India’s standing as a maritime power and the road forward was informative (‘The making of a maritime nation’, December 31). I agree with Dasgupta that the population, in general, must know more about the oceans.
The story on making sense of philosophy was interesting (‘Making Zense’, December 31). Philosophy helps us acknowledge and accept our suppositions and opinions. It stops us from taking things for granted, which is the norm today.
Suraj Kothari,
On email.
It was a sheer pleasure to go through the Anniversary Special Double Issue. I have authored two books on topics related to philosophy. It is surprising how the human mind works on long-accepted norms and beliefs, and how questions are raised to titillate the mind.
Religion is nothing but an effort to unravel the mysteries of afterlife. Since nobody knows for sure what lies across the river, they set themselves free. In the process many hypotheses take root. Individuals may live life as it comes, but thoughts are always warped in the web of philosophy of life.
Thank you for the excellent exposition on philosophers and their philosophies.
L.K. Verma (retired air marshal),
On email.
To keep the Chinese at bay, India needs to increase its naval presence. We should do away with the dependence on foreign suppliers. India should develop the capacities that would enable it to become the mainstay security provider to nations that inhabit the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Also, India needs two more aircraft carriers, and one of them should be forever stationed in the Pacific Ocean to show our might to the western powers.
Gaurav Saxena,
On email.
If we control marine pollution, stop illegal activities, settle border disputes, and address infrastructure restrictions, we can effectively use marine resources and maximise the benefits of India’s blue economy.
Praveen Thimmaiah,
On email.
Your Anniversary Special Double Issue was a treat. My father was an ardent reader of your magazine when he was employed with the Indian Railways in Hubli in Karnataka some 45 years ago. Then the price of THE WEEK was Rs5. Today it is Rs80. Still, the quality of the magazine has not changed a bit. This is really amazing.
G. Balasubramanian,
On email.
Philosophy is not a waste of time. Philosophy has the ability to address every issue, whether small or big. Pranay Sanklecha is correct when he says that there is no shortage of people pretending to be philosophers, because there is money and status to be gained by peddling fake wisdom. None of the religious speakers or philosophers of today can come anywhere close to the great philosophers of the past.
V.K. Prasad,
On email.
Your articles explaining what great philosophers down the ages actually said were ambitious in scope and enlightening. I thoroughly enjoyed reading them.
The interview with Dr Abraham Verghese was very informative (‘We need art to make meaning of our lives; we need technology to boil our coffee’, December 31). A few words on the recent book—since the interview did not say much about it. Coming after 14 years since his last book, The Covenant of Water reads like a whodunnit! The book is a vivid introduction to the physical and cultural landscape of Kerala. The story narrates the life of a Malayali family suffering with a strange affliction across three generations.
Kudos to THE WEEK’s editors for having put together such a sumptuous issue.
N. Sridhar,
On email.
The interview with Dr Verghese was absolutely fascinating. Congratulations to chief subeditor Susamma Joy Kurian for masterfully conducting the interview. Dr Verghese had, in 2017, presented me an autographed copy of his book Cutting for Stone.
Ramnarayan K.,
pro-chancellor, Sikkim Manipal University
On email.
Crucial role
It was nice reading about some of the men and women who play a crucial role in the Indian policing system (‘For the police, for the people’, December 31). When it comes to justice delivery, the unique, honorary and altruistic acts of each hero have helped the police function smoothly, and ensured speedy delivery of justice. They play a crucial role in bringing criminals to book.
Kudos to THE WEEK for featuring these people.
P.V. Prakash,
On email.
Celebrate women’s football
Women’s football deserves all the support men’s football gets (‘Raising her game’, December 31). It is wrong to assume that men play superior football or have a better technique. Yes, perhaps, women have lesser muscular strength. But the beauty of football lies in the skilful displays on the field and the emotions it generates. I am waiting for the day the whole world celebrates the women’s football world cup in a much bigger way than the men’s football world cup.
Kusuma Kapadi,
On email.
Existential threat
Last Word (December 31) by Navtej Sarna was quite informative. We have to downscale our comforts and learn to espouse simpler mode of living. Or else, greenhouse emissions and evils of global warming would sooner rather than later engulf the periphery of our peaceful ambience.
Any global meet to scale down pollution level begins with great hope and is found to end with fresh hope for better implementation next time.
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.