I was delighted to read the free and frank observations of Arundhati Roy in your cover story (‘The storm rider’, September 7).

 

A well-researched and compelling cover story, indeed!

 

Surinder Pal,

On email.

 

I had the opportunity to meet Mary Roy at Pallikoodam in Kottayam, Kerala, in 2001. Contrary to my expectations, she was warm and gracious, welcoming me with tea and biscuits. She invited me to her school to deliver a talk.

 

On another occasion, when Mrs Roy visited my husband’s office, he, too, found her courteous and professional. Although I could not meet her again due to my husband’s transfer, the memory of her kindness has remained with me.

 

Praveen Thimmaiah,

On email.

 

Arundhati’s book is a powerful and honest tribute to the mother who shaped her fearless spirit, capturing both the strength and complexity of motherhood.

 

Bhoomika Navalyal,

On email.

 

Mrs Roy sparked a fire, and Arundhati became its light. In understanding the daughter, we begin to understand the woman who raised her.

 

In capturing both the grandeur and the grit of Mrs Roy, Arundhati offers us a portrait that is scalpel and mirror: cutting, reflective, deeply human. Mrs Roy’s brilliance as an educator came with barbed edges, and her daughter’s literary voice was forged in that same fire. One didn’t merely survive Mrs Roy; one emerged transformed.

 

Chidanand Kumar

On email.

 

Arundhati is undoubtedly a great writer. But had it not been for what many see as her anti-India stance, she might have been the darling of the masses, celebrated as widely as writers like Chetan Bhagat and Ruskin Bond.

 

As a novelist, Arundhati is superb, but I find her persona as an activist difficult to accept.

 

At some point, one wonders if Arundhati herself will regret the relentless questioning of state actions. Perhaps, she need not have gone so far as to challenge the Army’s role in Jammu and Kashmir, or to voice support for Kashmiri separatists; stances that have made her deeply unpopular with a considerable section of society.

 

Ramanan Gopinathan,

On email.

 

Arundhati easily puts me off. She is not as significant as a certain section of the media makes her out to be. Liberal authors, who are largely anti-establishment, may win approval in select circles, but in the wider society they are often met with resentment.

 

Karisma Nagpal,

On email.

 

I am eager to pick up Mother Mary Comes To Me after reading your story. The bond between mothers and daughters is always special, yet often delicate. A biopic on Mrs Roy would be most fitting, given all that she has accomplished.

 

G.H. Varma,

On email.

 

Sustain the momentum

The “vote theft” slogan has effectively united the opposition (‘Vote of Confidence’, September 7). The Congress and other parties must sustain this momentum. The assembly election results in Maharashtra triggered this wave of discontent. For the BJP, winning Maharashtra was crucial, and they went to any extent to secure it. In the process, the Election Commission has lost much of its credibility. At this point, one wonders what purpose such a body serves.

 

Pramod Saxena,

On email.

 

The Election Commission must uphold its legacy of impartiality and fearlessness. It should not appear like a political wing of the BJP by targeting Rahul Gandhi. Instead, it must work to safeguard public faith and never lose the battle for credibility.

 

Anurag Kumar,

On email.

 

Follow Delhi’s footsteps

The Delhi government has taken a commendable step (‘Right angle’, September 7). Private schools should not have the freedom to fix fees arbitrarily. Education is a basic right, and it is dangerous to make it unaffordable through exorbitant fees. All states in India should consider passing a bill similar to the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025.

 

Gaurav Mohin,

On email.

 

A request for Shah

It was good to see Amit Shah speak at the Manorama News Conclave 2025. He is one of the most powerful figures in today’s India, and his presence at the conclave was significant (‘Charting a new future’, September 7).

 

The only request I have for Shah is that he should consider speaking in English at select forums. Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not hesitate to speak in English while addressing private gatherings abroad and even when interacting with south Indians. Shah, too, should not hesitate to do so, especially when addressing events in south India.

 

Subhapriya M.,

On email.

 

Exploitation at airports

Thank you for the excellent coverage of the Noida International Airport. What perhaps did not come through is how operators in airports exploit retail pricing (‘Terminal velocity’, August 31).

 

A reasonable premium is acceptable, but charging several times the outside price amounts to exploitation.

 

Jacob Ninan,

On email.