Can’t afford a war

Refer to ‘Talking and fighting’ (Nous Indica, Sept 12); while India struggles with Covid, and the flattening of the curve not in sight, even a ‘limited war’ with China will do severe damage to the already nose-diving GDP and rising unemployment. The Dragon, however, knows how to exploit a vulnerable situation. It would be in our better interest to try to find ways and strategies, including counter or counterfeited aggression, to avoid any warlike likelihood, for war during pandemic times and hostile neighbours could prove far more destructive and unaffordable. The ‘Chinese dream’ is not likely to be stopped by mere banning of its apps or celebrating five Rafales.

Abhimanyu Malik, Jind

China’s designs

Apropos of Nous Indica (Sept 12), China is answerable to none in world politics, not even to the established world bodies. Nearly one million people worldwide have succumbed to Covid-19, which originated in China, and yet the latter cares two hoots about any investigation. India, on the other hand, practises democracy and is answerable at every step. In a short period of time, China has become a superpower economically and militarily. It wants to displace the US from the top spot and considers India to be a big obstacle.

BM Singh, Amritsar

Stick to guidelines

During these testing times, we as responsible citizens must adhere to MHA guidelines and take preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus. Many institutions, organisations and departments, especially private entities, are not properly adhering to the guidelines. Laxity and deliberate ignorance of the guidelines is putting the lives of many at stake.

Karan Singh Vinayak, Chandigarh

Stay safe

Refer to ‘Vaccine trial paused’ (Sept 11); the possibility of finding a vaccine soon seems unlikely. People cannot stay locked up at home for a long time and life will soon start falling back in place. Therefore, it is very important for us to undertake all precautions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Together, by staying apart, we can break the chain of the infection.

Ishika Mittal, Bengaluru

Fake information

Apropos of ‘Epidemic of bad behaviour’, people are defying Covid safety measures because of fake information being spread on social media platforms. There are many WhatsApp rumours doing the rounds about the virus. So, instead of getting the real story, they are just relying on the propaganda of vested interests, which needs to be addressed through cyber security. To win the fight against Covid, we first have to win the trust of the people.

Gurinder singh, Moga

A Swami to remember

Refer to ‘Sanyasi who fought for social causes’; I remember a night I spent alone in Swami Agnivesh’s room in 1986, when he was abroad on a mission. As a playwright, I needed to have a close look at the sufferings of bonded labour. I contacted a friend of mine, who, along with Kailash Satyarthi (Nobel laureate), was associated with the sanyasi. He took me around stone quarries behind the glitter of Delhi and Faridabad. I noticed how reverently the labourers talked about the hard work put in by him for their emancipation. At night, I was put up at his single-room accommodation at Jantar Mantar. The room was packed with books, particularly on political and social struggles. I picked up a few and found pages pencil-lined here and there. I was fascinated by his erudition and commitment to fight for social causes with great zeal.

Amritlal Madan, Kaithal

Not the same now

Apropos of ‘Masterji’s slap a lesson in punctuality’, if some teacher teaches a lesson in this manner, it certainly will upset the applecart of our nation. Masterji’s effigies will be burnt on streets, school property will be vandalised and an investigation will be ordered to find out the motive behind the slap. Depression stories of the slap ‘survivor’ would be everywhere. Child rights activists may block roads to seek expeditious justice for the child. As a society, we no longer endorse behaviour potent enough to positively transform a child’s life.

Shivani Jain, Ludhiana

All deserve a fair chance

‘A science fair that changed life’ is a vivid expression of life of thousands of students of rural India, who rarely get opportunities to compete with their ‘twice born’ urban counterparts. The education system in rural India, especially Government schools, needs a thorough revamp.

KK Singla, New Delhi

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