Gaps in India’s deep tech

This refers to ‘Deep tech needs deep investments’; Indian scientists and engineers are conducting groundbreaking research in deep technology in other countries, but not in India. Spending on research and development (R&D) is relatively low here compared to smaller countries like Israel, Germany and France. Researchers are often promoted on the basis of the number of papers they publish rather than their innovations. Political influence, bias and office politics also affect the selection and promotion of R&D personnel. Research administrators are not focusing on raising the country’s global status in R&D. Moreover, most technologies developed by laboratories fail to reach the commercial stage due to lack of support from the industry.

O Prasada Rao, hyderabad

Invest more in R&D

Apropos of ‘Deep tech needs deep investments’; there is a yawning gap between India’s aspirations and the actual support for deep tech. While the commerce minister urged startups to lead in AI, robotics and quantum computing, India’s R&D investment remains woefully under 1% of the GDP. Without liberal funding, robust academia-industry linkages and access to critical materials, how can our startups compete with the might of the US or China? Sadly, long-term innovation is often sacrificed for short-term populist policies. If India is serious about becoming a tech superpower, it must abandon tokenism and invest deeply in research, infrastructure and human capital.

Amarjeet Mann, Una

Urdu part of Indian culture

Apropos of ‘Urdu is our own’; the apex court has rightly pointed out that language should not be related to any religion. Undoubtedly, the Urdu language is part and parcel of Indian history, culture and literature. Many impressive words in local dialects have been borrowed from Urdu. Urdu elicits compassion and affection. Recitation of shayari is incomplete without endearing words like aarzoo, deedaar, ehsaas, gulshan and naaz.

VK Anand, Chandigarh

Hindi-Urdu confluence

With reference to ‘Urdu is our own’; associating Urdu with a particular religion is unfortunate and unwarranted. Can we ignore the fact that many Hindi writers, such as Premchand, Krishan Chander and Tilok Chand Mehroom, have made a great contribution to Urdu literature? Even these days, good orators love to intersperse their speeches with Urdu words and couplets. Apni urdu toh zubaan thi mohabbat ki, uff siyasat ne isse mazhab se jor diya (Our Urdu was a language of love, Alas! politics has associated it with religion).

Sadhna Saini, by mail

Global alliances are shifting

The US-China trade standoff has escalated into a clash of egos, with Washington hiking tariffs to 245% and Beijing holding firm at 125%. Beyond the tariff war, global alliances are shifting. China is deepening regional ties, like reinforcing its Belt and Road Initiative with Cambodia. South Korea is investing heavily in AI, betting on technology as a buffer against trade disruptions. Europe is rolling out massive stimulus to protect its industries and invest in green energy. China has raised its fiscal deficit to 4 per cent to boost domestic demand, while Russia, despite falling oil prices, is witness to a surging ruble driven by stronger trade with Asia. India has managed to check inflation and draw fresh investment. In this new era, adaptability, not dominance, will define success.

Col RS Narula (Retd), Patiala

Political agendas at festivals

Reference to the article ‘How festivals have become stages for fear and control’; it is very unfortunate that the festivals of India which were once a source of happiness have now been weaponised to cause maximum damage and trouble. There is rarely any festival where the police are not called in to maintain law and order. Confrontations have become the norm on festive occasions. Political agendas have been weaved into religion. Unfortunately, many well-meaning people too get sucked into the vortex of hate.

Anthony Henriques, Mumbai