It is deeply concerning that hostile nations are increasingly exploiting cyberspace to defraud our people (‘Digital fortress’, June 1). The threat is real and growing.

 

I appreciate the proactive efforts of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his cybersecurity experts to counter these dangers. Establishing a dedicated branch of cyber commandos is the need of the hour. The rising tide of local cyber crimes has the potential to create far-reaching consequences. Let’s be cautious.

 

Gautam Gupta,

On email.

 

I read in your report that the stolen funds are swiftly converted into cryptocurrency through wallet transfers in Dubai. This is shocking! These transactions, I gather, are particularly difficult to trace. It is imperative that world leaders address the growing menace with a sense of urgency.

 

Mahesh Rao,

On email.

 

An integrated cyber shield for India should have been set up many years ago. From here on, there should be solid cooperation between the Centre and state governments when it comes to cyber security.

 

We cannot differentiate between cyber criminals and regular criminals.

 

Rakesh Aggarwal,

On email.

 

Lasting impact

‘A hero of all times’ (June 1) by Bansuri Swaraj was an excellent portrayal of Ahilyabai Holkar. The insights conveyed in the opening and concluding paragraphs are particularly powerful.

 

Ramaswamy Natampally,

On email.

 

Ahilyabai laid the foundation for women’s empowerment in the truest sense of the term. At a time when women were largely confined to household chores, she ventured into the uncharted territory of leadership and governance.

 

Sachidananda Satpathy,

On email.

 

US chose Trump

Donald Trump, in many ways, reflects the character and the mood of the American electorate (‘Soundbite’, June 1). People in the US chose him, and now they must be prepared to face the consequences of that decision. His leadership embodies a nation at the crossroads—where the promise of the future appears dimmer than the nostalgia of the past. Perhaps, the so-called ‘good old days’ are behind the US.

 

Santosh Gupta,

On email.

 

National shame

The anguish of Manipur’s sindoor remains unaddressed (‘Schizo-nation’, June 1). A BJP MP mired in molestation charges—Brij Bhushan—is greeted with jubilation, following an unjustifiable acquittal. The convicts in the horrific Bilkis Bano rape case are greeted—not with remorse, but with sweets.

 

While governance fails to contain the offenders and instead appears to shield them, it is not just a lapse. It is a national shame.

 

C. Chandrasekaran Bharathi,

On email.

 

Image makeover

M.K. Stalin appears to be undergoing an image makeover—and it is beginning to show (‘Modi regime an undeclared emergency’, June 1). His first few years were marked by chaos and significant challenges, particularly in matters of law and order. However, of late he seems to have taken those lessons to heart.

 

Now, Stalin is positioning himself as a credible challenger to Narendra Modi—carefully creating his image as a national-level leader.

 

Narayanan P.,

On email.

 

Trump won’t tilt

The interview with Michael Kugelman (June 1) gave an insightful analysis of Donald Trump’s strategy. Whatever the US policy may have been in the past, the current approach under the Trump administration is notably more aggressive—especially in seeking an advantage in the ongoing trade war.

 

Though Trump can be unpredictable at times, he is unlikely to signal a tilt towards either Pakistan or India. Maintaining a balance serves the interests of his administration.

 

Devendra K. Mishra,

On email.

 

Evocative storytelling

Banu Musthaq deserves to be celebrated not merely as a Muslim writer, but as a fearless chronicler of women’s struggles, pain and anguish (‘Restless heart’, May 25). Through her evocative storytelling, she gave voices to countless silenced narratives, enriching Kannada literature and extending its aroma across the world.

 

India’s literary heritage—whether Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Odia, or other languages—is adorned with many towering writers whose work reflect the depth and diversity of our culture. It is imperative that these literary gems be translated into English—allowing a wider audience to experience their brilliance. The fragrance of Indian languages, after all, should reach every corner of the world.

 

Manjunath Swamy,

On email.

 

Resource rush?

There is an old saying: when nations talk of peace, look for what they are digging (‘Mining for peace in Pakistan’, May 25).

 

The recent US interest in stabilising parts of Pakistan curiously coincides with a surge of attention towards the region’s vast mineral wealth—especially copper, lithium, and rare earth elements vital to the tech and clean energy sectors.

 

Are we witnessing a sincere push for peace, or merely the opening act of a new resource rush?

 

K. Chidanand Kumar,

On email.

 

THE WEEK is my favourite

I have been a regular reader of THE WEEK for many years. I appreciate the magazine for its unbiased and informative reporting. In addition, the articles and columns are rich in facts and insights. One of the things I particularly enjoy is ‘Word Play’, through which I learn a new word every week.

 

THE WEEK remains a favourite of mine for many such reasons.

 

Mahendra Kumar Mishra,

On email.