Apropos of ‘Turmoil puts Iran at a crossroads’; the mass protests in Iran are the latest addition to a string of uprisings across the developing world against inflation, unemployment and lack of basic amenities. From Kathmandu and Dhaka to Tehran, cities have been rocked by protests carrying memories of the past. The peasants’ revolt against the French monarchy in the 18th century lead to its downfall. Ruling elites must keep their ear to the ground on citizens’ expectations or risk a Marie Antoinette moment, a famous incident in history when the Queen of France asked farmers protesting over scarcity of bread to “eat cakes instead.” Also, it was the ostentatious lifestyle of the ruling elite that led to the Islamic Revolution in Iran almost 47 years ago.
Chander Shekhar Dogra, Jalandhar
Quick deliveries don’t save time
Refer to ‘10-minute cap on grocery delivery goes’; commerce platforms used quick delivery as their biggest USP and the line between need and want blurred for consumers over time. It is heartening that now brands cannot promise fast delivery and they have started removing the delivery time commitments from their advertising too. It is not the end of the road for quick commerce as deliveries will still happen but without pushing unsafe driving or breaking traffic rules. Though quick delivery may be a boon for double income families in urban India, they must realise that a few minutes extra in delivery will not make any difference. A quick delivery doesn’t save time for anybody, rather it puts lives at risk.
Bal Govind, Noida
Government bodies of no help
Refer to ‘Beyond red zone’; it should be an eye-opener for the Haryana government. Despite statutory bodies like Haryana Water Resources Authority, Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority and Irrigation and Water Resources Department, nothing is being done on the ground. There is no check on blatant exploitation of water resources. These government bodies must rise from their slumber and take immediate steps on this front.
Vinay Kumar Malhotra, Ambala
Water crisis linked to Aravallis
Refer to ‘Beyond red zone’; the editorial has flagged Haryana’s groundwater crisis, but its most irreversible dimension lies in the devastation of the Aravalli ecosystem. A large area of Haryana’s red-zone villages falls within the Aravalli influence area. Their systematic destruction has converted a renewable water regime into a collapsing one. Entire hillocks in Nuh, Faridabad and Mahendragarh have been exploited. Seasonal rivers originating in the Aravallis, Sahibi, Dohan and Krishnavati, once sustained agriculture and biodiversity across Haryana and Rajasthan. Today, these rivers are either dry or reduced to polluted drains.
Ramphal Kataria, Kurukshetra
India-Germany partnership grows
Apropos of ‘Visa-free transit’; this facility will enable Indian IT engineers to exhibit their skills in foreign lands, especially when Trump’s regime has hiked H1-B fee exorbitantly discouraging them to enter America. The US is not leaving any opportunity to browbeat India, compelling it to diversify its outreach. The increasing trade and strengthening partnership with Germany will surely benefit both the countries. Opening up the education sector is another landmark decision. While Germany will benefit from India’s vast market, highly skilled IT engineers, pharma industry and the vast demographic dividend, India could gain from Germany’s expertise in export-driven, high-value manufacturing sector as well as a network of highly-acclaimed technical institutions.
Ravi Sharma, Dhariwal
Menace of Chinese kite string
With reference to ‘Banned but booming, plastic kite string continues to claim lives’; to successfully prevent the spread and use of the Chinese dor (a type of kite string), the government must run a reward system. If anyone is found selling, stocking and using the lethal string, it can be reported on a helpline number. The one who reports it must be awarded monetarily from the fine collected. Random teams must be deputed areawise to strictly check the use of Chinese dor.
Harsimranvir Singh, Patiala
