The death of Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister marks the end of an important chapter in the country’s political history. Her leadership played a defining role in shaping the nation’s democratic journey. As the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Khaleda Zia emerged as a powerful symbol of women’s leadership in a deeply challenging political environment. Her career was marked by achievements, resilience and intense political rivalries, reflecting the broader complexities of governance in Bangladesh. While her tenure was not without controversy, her impact on Bangladesh’s political discourse and democratic evolution will endure. - Rukma Sharma, Jalandhar
Transparency weakened in banks
Apropos of ‘How India banks’; while the sharp fall in NPAs and robust profitability point to a healthier banking system, an uncomfortable reality is emerging beneath the surface. The cost of this stability increasingly appears to be borne by ordinary customers through higher service charges, shrinking free facilities and complex, often opaque, fee structures. As banks shift toward rapid digitisation, personal engagement and transparency have weakened, marginalising seniors and less tech-savvy users. True banking resilience requires trust built on fairness, clarity and accessible redress, not just strong headline numbers. - K Kumar, Panchkula
Resilient India rising
Refer to ‘Terror keeps India on its toes’; despite persistent cross-border terrorism and regional tensions, India’s economic momentum remains robust, placing it among the fastest-growing major economies. Pakistan and Bangladesh may continue to create strategic discomfort, but they cannot obstruct India’s progress. India must support democratic forces in its neighbourhood. Engagement with the US is beneficial, yet strategic autonomy is essential amid policy fluctuations. India must steadily match China’s economic strength and military capability. The new year offers hope for diplomatic breakthroughs — ending the Russia-Ukraine war and the prolonged conflicts in West Asia. - Vijay Kumar Katial, Panchkula
Neighbourhood challenges
India is surrounded by a hostile neighbourhood. Bangladesh was the lone exception until August 2024 and was widely regarded as India’s only friend in an otherwise unfriendly region. That perception has now changed. Bangladesh may emerge as a bigger challenge than Pakistan in the near future. There are growing fears that Bangladeshi territory could be used to export terror into India and fan separatist sentiments in northeastern states. The alarming developments in Bangladesh point to a clear failure of India’s foreign and security policies. - Vinay Kumar Malhotra, Ambala Cantt
Democracy without choice
Apropos of ‘Indian elections plagued by Hobson’s choice’; the article captures the hollowing out of India’s electoral democracy. While the right to vote formally survives, the right to contest and exercise a meaningful choice has been effectively denied to the vast majority. Elections have become so prohibitively expensive that a genuine individual with political will but without vast financial backing is structurally excluded. The electoral process is increasingly choreographed to suit a handful of parties and individuals. Elections today are fought on caste, religious hatred and manufactured narratives, rather than on unemployment, inflation, health, education or poverty. - Ramphal Kataria, Kurukshetra
Politics over principles
It is a matter of grave concern that candidates are often imposed on the electorate by political parties. The most deserving grassroots candidates, often the voters’ preferred choice, are relegated to the background. As a result, voters are left with a Hobson’s choice when exercising their franchise. More troubling is the fact that political parties indulge in horse-trading, announce freebies and even transfer cash directly into voters’ bank accounts during elections to woo them. - MD Sharma, Shimla
