No impulsive reaction required

Refer to ‘Foreign hand is as distracting as ever (The Great Game)’; India must resist the urge to react impulsively to every statement or action by US President Trump. His remarks often seem aimed at rallying his domestic audience; it is crucial for us to adopt a measured ‘wait-and-watch’ approach. Trump’s immigration reforms, once hailed as ambitious, are becoming increasingly unrealistic. The West’s reliance on cheap labour and its inhuman treatment of workers is meeting resistance from its own populace. Our focus should be on strengthening domestic growth and building strategic relationships with other key countries. With the US looking to mend fences with Russia and China, we must proceed to safeguard our long-term national interests.

K Kumar, Panchkula

Self-belief is important

Refer to ‘Foreign hand is as distracting as ever’; our politicians selectively endorse statements of foreign politicians to pat themselves on the back. We must not fall for the US theory on USAID funds for India; rather, we should use our own wisdom. Strategic relations with bigger powers cannot be improved with folded hands. It seems Trump used this new ploy of raising fingers at political leaders in India to divert attention from the issue of shackled deportees. There is a need to strengthen and trust our own mechanisms rather than believe in what outsiders say.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (Retd), Mohali

Disregard for federalism

Refer to ‘Centre vs Tamil Nadu’; Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s decision to make the three-language formula mandatory for states to receive educational funding is a blatant disregard for federalism. This policy will erode the unique cultural heritage of states with their own languages, such as Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. The Centre should respect the autonomy of states and not impose a one-size-fits-all policy. Tamil Nadu’s two-language formula, in place since 1968, is a testament to the state’s commitment to preserving its cultural identity.

SS Paul, Nadia

Hindi in south India

Refer to ‘Centre vs Tamil Nadu’; the state’s attitude towards Hindi is contemptuous. Former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and HD Deve Gowda, though belonging to South India, spoke Hindi well, not to forget Sonia Gandhi, who comes from a different country. There are countries such as China, France, Germany and Italy where people are reluctant to communicate in English; they speak their native language. But in many south Indian states, people prefer to speak in English rather than Hindi. The governments in the southern region should take a proactive decision to promote Hindi in their states. The resentment against Hindi is a retrograde step.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana

Dynamic risk models for Rlys

Apropos of ‘Platform panic: When poor planning costs lives’; technology like realistic digital representation, called digital twins, has emerged as a strategic tool that provides real-time data analytics and an advanced decision support system for predicting complex risk situations. It helps by developing dynamic risk models and creating early warning tools. Intelligent transportation systems are the future of operations and control which leverage AI for continuous adaptation and self-optimisation of real-time data processing.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh

Protecting free expression

Refer to ‘OTT crackdown’; we need to study the evolving dynamics of free speech in digital India. Striking the right balance between regulation and creative freedom is imperative. A transparent, inclusive framework involving creators, regulators and civil society can pave the way forward. By fostering dialogue and mutual respect, India can ensure that its digital landscape remains both innovative and inclusive, reflecting the diverse voices of its people without compromising its cultural ethos. Ultimately, the goal should be to protect free expression while promoting responsible storytelling, an outcome that would benefit creators, viewers and society.

Gaurav Badhwar, Rohtak