Hats off to the Indian scientists who used their knowledge and expertise in compound semiconductor technology to deliver a truly standout achievement (‘Blue chip breakthrough’, February 1). The push to indigenise compound semiconductor production is a decisive step.
India must master such critical technologies and avoid dependence on other countries. This progress bolsters the country’s strategic self-reliance in defence electronics and positions it to meet the growing demands of the civilian sector as well.
Vikas Grover,
On email.
Compound semiconductors are ideally suited for conducting multi-domain operations and are the need of the hour. Future wars will be increasingly technology-driven, and it is a matter of pride that India has joined the six countries that have demonstrated capabilities in this domain. This technology edge will definitely enhance our operational effectiveness and strategic preparedness.
Sreekumar Nandakishore,
On email.
When access to critical compound chips technology was blocked, Indian scientists stepped up. The breakthrough strengthens our defence preparedness.
K. Chidanand Kumar,
On email.
The breakthrough by DRDO’s Solid State Physics Laboratory in chip-making is a momentous occasion. As warfare undergoes a paradigm shift from manned to unmanned platforms, semiconductors—especially advanced chips—have assumed a central role.
The monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), manufactured by the Gallium Arsenide Enabling Technology Centre (GAETEC), are now playing a vital role, representing a major milestone on the path towards semiconductor self-reliance.
B. Gurumurthy,
On email.
Glad Modi didn’t respond
It is good that Narendra Modi did not respond to Donald Trump’s offer of joining a so-called board of peace for Palestine (‘Peace, at a price’, February 1). Such a move does not serve India’s interest in any way. It should not matter to us whether Trump would be offended or not.
We know what serves our interests and our principles, and we certainly do not need Trump to speak for us, or on our behalf, on the Palestinian issue.
Vyom Prakash,
On email.
Rise above political theatrics
One or two incidents cannot be a basis to dismiss the necessity of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls (‘Last Word’, February 1). From the outset, Mahua Moitra’s party has opposed the exercise. India’s democracy is time-tested.
That said, any loopholes in the revision process should be examined judiciously. There are established mechanisms for stakeholders to participate and raise concerns. But, no room should be left for suspicions, especially when the matter is under the consideration of the Supreme Court.
The last word on such critical issues must rise above political theatrics.
Jitendranath Guru.
On email.
Custodians go unpunished
Kudos to Kanu Sarda for exposing the institutional callousness of our “democratic system”, where culprits often get away scot-free or with token fines—punitive actions that merely camouflage a corrupt bureaucracy and an equally, if not more, compromised political system (‘Orders, then oops’, January 25).
Human life appears to be the least valued commodity in India. Culprits go unpunished and are rarely held accountable, while politicians remain busy pointing fingers at one another over opponents’ ‘extra-curricular’ activities—issues that are irrelevant.
T. Koshy Cherian,
On email.
Lord Ayyappa is watching
Sabarimala, in recent times, has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons (‘Gold’s wrath’, January 18). Whether it was the alleged role of the government in Kerala in facilitating the entry of two young women into the holy abode in 2018, or the theft of the deity’s belongings, the shrine has been repeatedly dragged into controversy.
For millions of devotees, including this writer who has undertaken the holy trek for nearly five decades, it does not matter who committed the mischief. Lord Ayyappa’s devotees deserve clear and credible answers to the many improprieties unfolding around the temple. Lord Ayyappa may be infinitely tolerant of wrongs committed against Him, but He will not be as forgiving if his believers are betrayed.
T.S. Sanath Kumar,
On email.
Ensure strict codes
On one side, India is fighting anaemia among the rural poor, at the same time it must confront excess and unbalanced food consumption among both the urban rich and the urban poor (‘Medi-Scene’, December 28). Unless strict, systematic nutritional codes are enforced, we should not be surprised if future generations end up on medication for non-communicable diseases from school age itself.
Udhayakumar V.,
On email.
A delightful relationship
We have been ardent readers of THE WEEK since its inception. These days, we first read Editor Philip Mathew’s letter. Then we fast forward to the Last Word. And then move straight to Powerdrive. We look forward to the gentle wit of the erudite R. Prasannan. In the January 25 issue, his playful hallucination of finding Helen of Troy in his arms was delightful.
We hope to complete half-century of reading your illustrious magazine; after all, we are now well into our eighties.
Satpal Singh and Amanjit Kaur,
Chandigarh.
Happy snacking
I enjoy reading your Party Snacks items—they offer a roundup of the funny and unusual moments from the Indian political landscape over the past week. Reading them feels like watching these incidents unfold live in front of us.
Yashpal Baweja,
On email.
Ignorant and unacceptable
Discrimination against people from the northeast has been a long-standing issue (‘The ugly truth’, February 1). People from the northeast are frequently misidentified or stereotyped as being from China, the Far East, Myanmar or Nepal—an attitude that is both ignorant and unacceptable.
Greater connectivity and exposure have reduced such behaviour, and things are far better than they once were. Today, it is largely a minority of unexposed and poorly educated individuals who continue to label south Indians as “Madrasis”, or people from the northeast as “chinkis” or “Nepalis”.
Veena Joshi,
On email.
It is an undeniable fact that people from the northeast, because of their distinct identity, continue to face discrimination and difficulties in other parts of the country. In some tragic instances, they have also lost their lives at the hands of unscrupulous elements.
To its credit, the Union government has taken serious note of such incidents and constituted the Bezbaruah Committee, which examined the issue in depth and submitted a set of recommendations. These measures could significantly mitigate the grievances of people from the northeast living in other parts of India for education, employment and other reasons.
Barring a phase of insurgency that now largely belongs to the past, the people of the northeast have consistently stood with the rest of the country whenever the need arose. It is therefore imperative that the Central government accords immediate attention to this issue and takes all necessary steps to address their concerns, so that the people of the northeast don’t feel alienated.
Surinder Sharma,
On email.