Empathetic partnerships needed in South Asia

Refer to ‘Nepal upheaval has lessons for India’ (The Great Game); India cannot afford to be a mere bystander as Nepal’s historic revolution unfolds. The roti-beti rishta woven through blood, bread and kinship is India’s living bridge with Nepal, making the Kathmandu violence also Delhi’s concern. The people’s revolt against authoritarian drift, echoing across South Asia, gives a clear warning: neglect breeds instability. South Asia’s fate is intertwined with India’s, regardless of economic disparity. Fragile democracies in the neighbourhood need more than platitudes; they need engaged, empathetic partnerships. In these uncertain times, the cost of disengagement is far greater than the cost of vigilance.

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Consensus for regional peace

Apropos of ‘Nepal upheaval has lessons for India’; India, the world’s largest democracy, must realise that the youth uprising in Nepal cannot be underplayed. Youth sentiments, particularly in developing countries, have the potential to trigger a rebellion against the status quo of corruption and indifference to public concerns. In this digital age, a strong undercurrent gets built up for or against every major issue. India needs to take the lead in South Asia by proactively developing consensus for peace in the region.

Brij B Goyal, Ludhiana

Wrong precedent

With reference to ‘Nepal upheaval has lessons for India’; whatever the demands of the Gen Z, the senseless burning of vital public assets like Parliament, Supreme Court, Secretariat, etc by mindless protestors was uncalled for. This has put Nepal 25 years behind. If their violent acts go unpunished, it will send a wrong message to the youth. Protests in India have so far been largely peaceful. The Gen Z protestors in Nepal have set a wrong precedent that regime change can be achieved more swiftly by violent means. The roots of democracy in India are strong and possibility of any such eventuality is almost ruled out.

Wg Cdr CL Sehgal (retd), Jalandhar

Lacuna in GST reform

The GST Council has taken a bold step by abolishing GST on all health and life insurance policies of individuals. However, there is a serious lacuna. The exemption has been granted only to individual policies, not to group insurance policies. Perhaps the Council assumed that group policies are taken only by large corporates for their employees. This perception is not entirely correct. Group medical insurance is also taken by many PSUs for their retired staff. In the case of retirees, the premium along with the GST component is borne entirely by the individual. So, the GST exemption must be extended to group health insurance policies for retirees as well.

Anmol Rattan Narang, Jalandhar

A balanced approach

Apropos of ‘Ethanol mission’; the government must not ignore the issues related to ethanol use. It has not taken original equipment manufacturers on board and not given them an opportunity to make their vehicles compliant. According to automobile experts, E20 is damaging fuel valves. Most vehicles on Indian roads aren’t E20-compliant. Farmers would require more water to grow sugarcane from which ethanol is produced. The Central government should prepare farmers for the future and also offer EO (ethanol-free) fuel alongside E20 with clear labelling, which is a balanced approach. This will protect consumer rights while pursuing environmental goals.

Bal Govind, Noida

Making green fuel impactful

Refer to ‘Ethanol mission’; introducing the E20 petrol is a laudable step towards sustainability, yet consumer confidence depends on clarity and transparent communication. While the E20 programme’s intent is commendable, doubts over engine performance, costs and warranties must be addressed through credible engagement. A sustained awareness campaign and responsive policy measures will ensure smoother adoption. Building trust, not dismissing concerns, is the key to making India’s green fuel journey impactful.

Parvinder Singh, Chandigarh