It feels great to know that an Indian is heading to space. Shubhanshu Shukla is about to make history, and soon we might have a long list of eager Indians ready to follow him (‘Up above the world so high’, June 22).
Keeping humans in space round the clock is like running the ultimate endurance test—not of technology, but of biology and patience. It allows us to study how microgravity, cosmic radiation and extreme isolation affect us—kind of being stuck in Bengaluru traffic, but definitely with a better view.
Rohan Devaiah,
On email.
Our continuous presence in space is more than a simple milestone. In fact, it is a symbol of our eternal quest.
Private firms have opened up space to countries without access, which is remarkable. Space power and knowledge should not be limited to a few countries. India should train space enthusiasts in her neighbourhood, including in Pakistan.
Jathin Kumar,
On email.
The universe is so vast that every discovery just opens up a hundred more questions. And this will probably go on as long as humans exist, or until aliens show up and explain everything!
The sheer scale of space makes me feel tiny—basically we are cosmic ants trying to understand Wi-Fi. Or so it feels like.
Geeta Bansal,
On email.
Shukla’s journey to space will inspire and motivate so many Indians. I am sure he will return with a truckload of memories and experiences that he will share with us.
Now, every person on earth can dare to dream of touching the sky—literally—at least once in their lifetime.
Pranav Gautam,
On email.
Stay focused
Shubman Gill is the ideal person to lead Indian cricket across formats (‘Licence to Gill’, June 22).
Success has not gone into his head, and I have rarely seen him lose his temper, or use foul language.
The key for Gill is to stay focused and avoid any distraction that could affect his game. He must also guard against ego creeping in. I am confident that Gill will excel on all these fronts; and he has the potential to join the league of India’s greatest batsmen.
Prashant Chandran,
On email.
Why this constant hype around cricket? Yes, cricket is a good and interesting game, but today it has become a national obsession—often turning into a massive time-waster. People go crazy over it, sometimes at the cost of their work, responsibilities and normal life.
This obsession has also created an imbalance in the sporting world, overshadowing our traditional and local sports that deserve equal attention and support. Cricket has increasingly turned into a celebrity-driven business, with players rolling in money and politics creeping into the sport.
Let’s enjoy cricket, but not at the cost of everything else.
R.D. Singh,
On email.
Cautionary tale
The column on the rise and fall of liquor baron Vijay Mallya was interesting (‘Chic-magnet’, June 22). The bloated image of his soaring business was short-lived. Mallya’s popularity nosedived when his unmanageable NPAs earned him the tag of a defaulter. Mallya’s flamboyance and extravagance have now become a cautionary tale for many corporate titans who tend to overreach.
C. Chandrasekaran Bharathi,
On email.
Duplicity is glaring
It is inconceivable that a rogue state like Pakistan would learn any lessons from the havoc it has unleashed upon itself through its cowardly acts (‘Last Word’, June 22). No outreach, dialogue, or diplomatic initiative will yield results, as Pakistan continues to operate its terror machinery through non-state actors.
The duplicity is glaring. The US, while publicly condemning terrorism, invited the very architect of Pakistan’s terror apparatus as a state guest. India cannot, and must not, take at face value the hollow condemnations and half-hearted statements from the global community. Without tangible, punitive action against Pakistan, such condemnations are meaningless.
Manjunath Swamy J.,
On email.
Well done, Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor has ably led the delegation to the US and other countries with his remarkable diplomatic skills (‘Last word’, June 1).
I had the opportunity to work in Kashmir during the war in 1971, and again in 1991, when terrorism first took root. Pakistan has been the driving force behind these brutal terrorist attacks.
I fully agree with Tharoor that the people of Kashmir are inherently friendly and peace-loving. They deserve our support in rebuilding their lives. I am confident that the prime minister and the home minister will take all necessary steps to stabilise the region.
K.V. Jayaram,
On email.
Two good articles
The issue dated June 15 had two very good articles. One dealt with Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s apparent second thoughts about insisting on a separate nation for Muslims (‘When Jinnah wanted a united India’, June 15). Had M.C. Davar’s letter to Mahatma Gandhi reached him in time, who knows, the bloodbath that followed partition might have been averted.
The second article was the cover story on the search for snow leopard, which made for delightful reading—reminiscent of a Jim Corbett adventure. I wish you had included a QR code so that readers could watch the 12-minute visual version of the story on YouTube. It was a treat to watch the snow leopard in real life.
Jothindra P.L.,
On email.