Baseless claims of rigged EVMs

Apropos of ‘EVMs get SC vote’; the Supreme Court has taken a strong stand against complaints about the legitimacy of EVMs. India is the world’s largest democracy, yet it manages to hold elections in an organised way. The EVMs are clearly here to stay as the ballot paper is a thing of the past. The losing parties need to focus on winning rather than coming up with the same excuse of rigged EVMs. Given their win in Jharkhand, the claim is baseless. The Congress needs to get its momentum back; its heavy loss in Maharashtra is a wake-up call for the party.

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Shaurya Lall, Zirakpur

Parties must focus on winning

With reference to ‘EVMs get SC vote’; the SC has rightly opined that EVMs are questioned by a party only when the verdict goes against it. This has been the pattern after every election in recent years. The EVMs are fine in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Jharkhand, but not in Haryana and Maharashtra! The Congress must abandon its rhetoric on EVMs and find out the reasons for its electoral defeats. Party leaders must look within and focus on working for the people to ensure a win next time. Even Elon Musk has commended the efficiency of EVMs and the entire process of vote counting in a day in India.

Ramesh Gupta, Narwana

Cancer needs proper treatment

Refer to ‘Cancer claptrap’; cancer cannot be defeated by a single strategy; it requires a combination of prevention, early detection and comprehensive treatment. Its prevention includes lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise and reducing exposure to carcinogens. Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife overcoming stage-IV cancer can be a source of inspiration for other patients. But her recovery was possible due to a combination of medical treatments — including surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapy — and a strict diet. Sidhu’s claim that his wife overcame the malady by starving the cancer cells is wrong and spreads misinformation.

Sikandar Bansal, Shimla

Home remedies not the cure

Refer to ‘Cancer claptrap’; it needs to be acknowledged that cancer can’t be cured by home remedies and starving cancer cells, as claimed by Sidhu. Such remedies may be tempting as these are promoted as a cheaper alternative to modern medicines. These misleading claims are made by quacks, who promise surefire cure of serious diseases like cancer. In India, which has a high cancer burden and a large population with limited access to affordable treatment, people often fall in the trap of myths and cheap cures. Ingredients like neem leaves and turmeric may help strengthen immunity, but life-threatening illnesses like cancer must be treated by experts.

SK Singh, By mail

All countries must work together

With reference to ‘COP29 deal has let the world down’; COP29 has reflected the Global North’s refusal to meaningfully commit to climate finance. Developing nations, while least responsible for historical emissions, are left grappling with inadequate resources to address mitigation, adaptation and loss. The reliance on private investments further dilutes the quality of finance. The West’s evasiveness, along with the political uncertainties due to Trump’s return to power, might jeopardise the international effort to handle climate change. Without public funding and swift implementation, the Baku accord is nothing more than rhetoric. Progress only comes in the form of responsibility taken by all stakeholders.

Pranav Shukla, Jaipur

Focus on growth-oriented policies

Apropos of ‘Public services set to cost more in Punjab’; public services in the state are becoming expensive, highlighting the long-term consequences of vote-driven freebies. Parties often lure voters with free incentives, but as the financial burden on the state grows, the cost is ultimately passed on to the public through increased service charges. This reflects poor financial planning and a short-sighted approach to governance. We must prioritise sustainable development and the creation of employment opportunities. The focus should be on growth-oriented policies to ensure a prosperous future of the state.

Rohini Sharma, Dharamsala