Gen Z hitting the streets in Nepal is a warning sign for autocratic governments across the world (‘Himalayan power shift’, September 28). While the idea of a generational gap is often seen as a western notion, the reality is that people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s deserve to be taken more seriously.
You cannot ignore the ideals of people in their 20s nor dismiss their resolve.
That said, sustaining unity among young revolutionaries will be a challenge. Still, by keeping their heads high and embracing the belief that they have nothing to lose, young people in Nepal can chart a path towards brighter and transformative times.
Vinay Verma,
On email.
Sushila Karki alone cannot resolve every issue, but she can help facilitate change and create the right environment for transformation. Nepal cannot afford fragility; better sense must prevail.
The voice of the youth cannot be dismissed. It is the voice of tomorrow, and it must be engaged with fairly.
Pranav Kumar,
On email.
What has unfolded in Nepal could just as easily happen in India. But given India’s size and diversity, it is unlikely that young people across the country would strike together. Such movements would more likely emerge in specific regions.
No government should have the audacity to impose its ideology or practices on the nation as a whole. Doing so risks a severe backlash that could deal a heavy blow to its authority.
Mayank Singh,
On email.
Peace is invaluable in our neighbourhood, especially with the US president’s expansionist ambitions—whether in seeking control of an airbase in Afghanistan or by pursuing maritime ventures off the coasts of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. At the same time, China is also looking to strengthen its foothold in the region, turning it into a ground for one-upmanship.
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.
Manisha as Nepal’s prime minister
Manisha Koirala should step into politics and aim for the prime ministership of Nepal (‘Detour’, September 28). Relocating to Kathmandu and entering public life could pave the way for her success. She has all the qualities to become an effective leader. With Manisha as prime minister of Nepal, Nepal’s ties with India would be strengthened, and the likelihood of the country drifting closer to China would greatly diminish.
Shankar Grover,
On email.
One of the finest chief justices
I have rarely seen a judge as sensible as D.Y. Chandrachud (‘Our diversity is most at risk today’, September 28). He is pleasant, approachable, and not afraid to take on difficult questions, always responding with clarity. He stands as one of the finest chief justices of the Supreme Court in recent times.
Pavithran Balan,
On email.
I suggest that Why The Constitution Matters: Selected Speeches by Chandrachud be published in major Indian languages to ensure wider reach and easier understanding.
Raghavan Rajagopal,
On email.
Before he became chief justice, there were murmurs within the higher judiciary that Chandrachud would be a tough judge; one who would ensure the government adhered to the Constitution. But that was not to be. This has been the case with many chief justices—they begin with a roar, but fade out quietly by the time they retire. In the end, most seem to choose a peaceful life over taking risks and inviting trouble.
Amar Iyer,
On email.
Dear Mr R. Prasannan
Every generation has believed its struggles were the most authentic, and every older generation has accused the younger one of being unserious (‘Powerdrive’, September 28). Your piece suggests Gen Z’s activism is limited to memes, TikToks, and reels—but that’s no different from dismissing pamphlets, posters, or radio speeches in the past. Revolution has always spoken in the language of its own time.
Washington had pamphlets. Lenin had leaflets. Gandhi had marches. We have the internet.
The digital tools you call “jobless pastimes” are the same platforms that spread awareness, call out corruption and mobilise thousands faster than any press or street corner once could. When Gen Z took to the streets in Colombo, Dhaka, and Kathmandu, it wasn’t out of jealousy or boredom—it was out of refusal to quietly accept broken systems handed down to us.
You praise the “youthful energy” of past revolutionaries but forget they, too, were mocked in their time. If Gandhi lived today, he would be live-streaming the Salt March. If Lenin organised now, he would be rallying people through encrypted apps. The spirit of protest doesn’t die—only the tools evolve.
We are not asking for your approval to say our anger is valid. We are growing up in a world shaped by climate disasters, inequality and political failures that will directly decide our future. That urgency is why we protest, why we meme, why we mock—not for pastime, but for survival.
Walpole may have called the people “the supreme governors”. Today, those people are us—not Gen X, not boomers. Gen Z. And we are not afraid to claim that role.
Sincerely,
Chris Rennie Dominic (age 16),
Bengaluru.