Weaponising data

China is surreptitiously weaponising data and leaving no stone unturned to digitally colonise India. The PLA misuses data mining technology to know India inside out through its captivating social networking apps, and then comes up with cheap products. All the products imported from China come under suspicion, as many imported sensors were found to be used for espionage earlier. The telecom and communication sectors need to be kept out of Chinese expansionist mode and the government must infuse money in these sectors to safeguard our interests. Chinese tech giant Huawei and ZTE will lead India into an abyss of virtual slavery, in the name of giving cheap and affordable 5G technology.

Rahul Chouhan, Chandigarh

Heads must roll

This refers to ‘Top Hyderabad jeweller dies of Covid-19; creates panic among 100 people who attended his birthday bash’ (July 5). Another owner of a top jewellery chain also attended the bash and died of the deadly disease after having reportedly contracted Covid-19 from the host of the party. What an irony? But the moot question that obviously arises here: How such a large birthday bash was permitted in the first place? As per the Centre’s guidelines, not more than 50 persons can take part in a marriage ceremony and not more than 20 people can join any funeral. Some heads must certainly roll for such a serious administrative lapse.

Vinayak G, Bengaluru

Mere degree providers

Refer to ‘7 Pb polytechnics wasted Rs 75 cr in 8 yrs’ (July 6); to establish any government or private college, it requires to fulfil certain criteria to get accreditation and recognition. Successive governments have misused funds to establish these colleges across Punjab. Due to their illogical spending on unnecessary infrastructure, hiring professors for unapproved courses, governments have been playing with the fate of thousands of students. It creates a doubt in the mind of the public whether such colleges set up under the scheme of ‘Skill Development’ to produce skilled students would actually help in improving the ability of the students or merely provide them with degrees.

Sirat Sapra, Fazilka

App heroes

It is always good to see young leaders taking initiatives to do something. Similar is the case with two IITians, who, with the guidance of their teachers, created an app named Copal-19. Through this app, people can register themselves as plasma donors and can come as volunteers to save the lives of Covid-19 patients. This is really a proud moment for all of us. Our youth, instead of looking back in these hard times, looked forward and created this app by working hard. They are also the heroes of our country.

Parwinder Kaur, Ludhiana

Surplus, still no power

Kudos to PSPCL for record power generation. Punjab has become a power-surplus state and has shut down some of its power plants. In spite of this positive situation, people, especially those living in villages, are suffering due to frequent power cuts to prevent overloading or outages due to breakdown in the distribution system. The PSPCL needs to improve its infrastructure maintenance in order to pass on the benefit of 24-hour supply to residents. Life becomes miserable when there is no electricity in this hot and humid weather. Some villages do not get supply for days together when there is a breakdown. What use is this surplus power when people are still suffering in this sweltering heat?

NEENA SANGHA, by mail

Ban in national interest

Refer to ‘No Kanwar yatra this year’ (July 5); implementing an administrative ban on Kanwar yatra by the Haryana Government is in the interest of the nation and society. Since the whole country is affected by the coronavirus, people should stay away from social and religious events. The restrictions should be considered as a commendable step in security rather than hurting the sentiments of people. Appreciably, the government will provide the holy waters of the Ganga, in view of Maha Shivratri.

Yugal Kishore Sharma, Faridabad

Iconic choreographer

Saroj Khan was a three-time national award winner and also the first recipient of the choreography award instituted in the ’80s. She redefined an era of the film industry with her iconic work and will be remembered for her grace and simplicity. She has left behind her legacy of masterpieces of songs beautifully choreographed. Her demise is a huge loss to the film industry. RIP Saroj Khan!

Ramesh G Jethwani, Bengaluru

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