It made me sad to read about the contamination and pollution of the Yamuna (‘When the divine turns dark’, April 13). Once a symbol of purity and life, the Yamuna now suffers daily at the hands of human negligence.
The degradation reflects not just an environmental crisis, but a deeper malaise within our society. As the Yamuna darkens, so does the moral fabric of our nation—tainted by war, violence, injustice, hatred, fundamentalism and corruption. The river’s plight serves as a mirror, urging us to cleanse our social conscience as much as our natural surroundings.
I commend the efforts of the officials and THE WEEK for highlighting the issue. It is time we turned our attention towards healing not only our environment but also values that guide us. Let us begin by caring for our society and nurturing the one home we all share—nature.
Anish N.S.J,
On email.
The Yamuna, being a sacred river, must be kept clean and free from pollution. Thankfully, there are no major factories along its banks that could contribute to heavy industrial pollution. However, it is up to the visitors to ensure cleanliness by refraining from throwing used towels and waste into the river while bathing or boating. Although cleaning the river is a challenging task, I appreciate the government’s continued efforts in this regard.
Equally commendable is the ambitious task of laying a railway line to Leh, which lies on a high-altitude plateau (‘Train to Ladakh’, April 13). Kudos to Indian Railways for the vision and planning.
Indian engineers are rising to the challenge with determination and innovation. Hats off to them, and best wishes to everyone involved in this monumental project.
Raghavan Rajagopal,
On email.
Moment of pride
The headline ‘Train to Ladakh’ (April 13) instantly fired up my imagination. Indian Railways is clearly on a remarkable journey, with transformative projects like the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, and now, the ambitious plan to connect Ladakh by rail, which comes with formidable engineering challenges.
Given the regions’s rugged terrain, it was fascinating to learn that nearly half the route will be underground. The proposal to eventually extend the line to Siachen is even more audacious. Once completed and operational, this project will be a moment of immense pride—not just for Indian Railways, but for the nation as a whole.
Asha Krishnakumar,
On email.
True lovers of cinema
Those opposing certain scenes in the film Empuraan are propagating a brand of nationalism that is ironically anti-national (‘Much ado about nothing’, April 13). One is left wondering whether they truly fail to grasp the difference between a documentary and a commercial film.
Kudos to all true lovers of cinema who have refused to be swayed by such baseless controversies. Their unwavering support for team Empuraan has ensured the film’s success.
Biju C. Mathew,
On email.
Ego fuels conflicts
It is difficult to assign blame to either Russia or Ukraine (‘We are actively working to end the war this year’, April 6). The fact is this war should never have dragged on for so long. The international community should have acted decisively to end the war. Whether Vladimir Putin will relent under mounting pressure—especially from Donald Trump—remains to be seen. In the end, it is ego that fuels such conflicts. Humanity, sadly, is the last concern.
Aparajita Basu,
On email.
Swift and fair investigations
The case involving Justice Yashwant Varma—regardless of whether the allegations are ultimately proven—highlights the urgent need for a framework that enables swift and fair investigations (‘When the gavel falls’, April 6). It is essential to ensure that any judge facing allegations is treated justly and in accordance with due process, while also safeguarding public trust in the judiciary.
Sanjay Chopra,
On email.
To me, the entire episode appears to be a strategic move to corner the judiciary. The passage of the National Judicial Appointments Commission is imminent, and all of this seems to be paving the way for it.
Who knows, we can expect similar cases against many more judges in the days ahead.
Vimal Sukumar,
On email.
Missing point
Anuja Chauhan seems to have deliberately omitted Kunal Kamra’s version about a celebrated personality like Sudha Murty, who has inspired millions through her stories (‘Schizo-nation’, April 6). Has Kamra ever taken the time to understand how Murty rose from a modest, middle-class background to where she is today.
Is it wrong to earn wealth and be successful through hard work and integrity? Yes, Kamra certainly has the rights to express his opinions as he seems fit. But for a more affable and respectful atmosphere, it would be better to do so in a manner that doesn’t hurt others’ sentiments or come across as if he alone holds the moral high ground.
Jitendranath Guru,
On email.
We stood out
The courageous and humanitarian leadership demonstrated by the government of India highlighted the country’s stellar role in global health diplomacy (‘Last word’, April 6).
India’s response rightly deserves to be remembered, both in honour of those who tragically lost their lives to the pandemic and as a testament to our resolve in extending a helping hand to the global community during one of the most challenging periods marked by isolation and strict social distancing measures.
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.
Too many
These days, it feels like there are far too many literary festivals (‘Reading between the lit fests’, March 30). Unfortunately, the focus seems to have shifted—from celebrating literature and ideas to promoting individuals and their institutions. The guest list is hyped, while the content and true purpose of these festivals often take a back seat.
We need to be more real and sincere. Let us bring the spotlight back to literature and the arts, rather than individual egos and status symbols.
R.D. Singh,
On email.
Error
Birendra [former king of Nepal] and family were assassinated in 2001, and not in 2002, as mentioned in Powerdrive (April 13).
M.A. Kalam,
visiting professor, International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD), Thiruvananthapuram.
We regret the error.
Editor