Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is well placed to lead the country at this juncture (‘The handshake they need’, March 1). Strong and stable ties between India and Bangladesh are essential for the prosperity of the subcontinent.
Sheikh Hasina’s continued stay in India should not be allowed to create fissures between the two countries. Ideally, India should gently encourage her to consider relocating to a destination of her choice in the larger interest of bilateral harmony.
Tapesh Nagpal,
On email.
Your cover story effectively captures optimism surrounding Bangladesh’s new government and its implications for India-Bangladesh ties.
India must move beyond its tendency to rely too heavily on a single political partner in Dhaka. Engaging not just with the BNP, but also the Jamaat and civil society would reflect strategic maturity.
Myilsami A.,
On email.
Although the BNP has come to power with an absolute majority, it faces an uphill task in putting the economy back on track. The Bangladeshi economy is in distress, and Rahman will have to strike a careful balance between stabilising finances and sustaining infrastructure growth. At the same time, he must rein in radical elements and ensure political stability. It is equally important that Bangladesh does not become overly dependent on China.
Anil Deshpande,
On email.
The setback to the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami should come as a significant relief to citizens who value the ideals of secularism and social harmony. Alongside reining in rabid communal and anti-social elements, the newly formed government must prioritise resolving the bread-and-butter issues affecting the common people.
The regime change in Bangladesh should mark a new beginning in Indo-Bangladesh relations.
B. Suresh Kumar,
On email.
Rahman must hit the ground running to revive the economy and restore trade links with India. Beyond formal bilateral relations, New Delhi and Dhaka need to repair the ruptured trade, connectivity, security and sporting ties that bind the two countries.
Both the governments will, however, have to tread carefully in managing the issue of Hasina, who remains a wanted fugitive in Bangladesh while continuing to be an honoured guest in Delhi.
Sanjay Chopra,
On email.
Engaging and illuminating
It was a pleasure reading Dr Mazda Turel’s vivid account of the medulla oblongata and its remarkable features (‘Scalpen’, March 1). His portrayal of this vital “autopilot” system—working tirelessly without any conscious effort on our part—was both engaging and illuminating.
The way Turel narrates his patient’s recovery highlights not only his clinical expertise but also his gift for storytelling. The column was so immersive that it literally left me breathless. Guess what, it even tempts me to explore the Art of Living course, just as he did.
Praveen Thimmaiah,
On email.
Show visible neutrality
I have great respect for the office of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. However, Om Birla, at times, appears overly deferential to the government, creating the impression that he functions as an extension of it.
While it is natural that a Speaker, elected with the support of the ruling party, may be perceived as having certain political loyalties—regardless of the oath of impartiality—it is vital that such perceptions are carefully guarded against.
The authority and credibility of the Speaker’s office rest on visible neutrality. Any hint of partisanship, even in appearance, can weaken public trust in the institution.
Rituparna Basu,
On email.
In love with typewriters
The story by Kritajna Naik (‘Indelible ink’, March 1) brought back memories of the late 1960s, compelling me to admit that I am 76. Ah, that was the time I was introduced to the marvellous machine called typewriter.
As was customary in those days, I, too, was encouraged to learn typewriting. Every evening at 4pm sharp, four of us—fresh out of school—would walk into class, each carrying two blank sheets of paper. After four to five months of practice, I achieved a typing speed of 40 words per minute.
That skill proved invaluable. It enabled me to write letters to the editors of newspapers and magazines, and to contribute short stories to children’s publications—all neatly typed on a typewriter. Many were published, while a few manuscripts still lie tucked away in folders.
My thanks to the writer for this unforgettable piece. I now look forward to visiting Rajesh’s Typewriters someday, if only to relive a cherished chapter of my youth.
Surinder Pal,
On email.
Back in those days, knowing typewriting could fetch you a job. What AI is today, the typewriter was long ago. Alphabets do not die—they form words, then phrases, sentences, paragraphs… and so on. The typewriter made it all possible.
THE WEEK brought back memories of that bygone era in such a lucid manner. How I wish I could type this out on a typewriter.
Pramod Vinayak Namjoshi,
On email.