Will Gaza peace plan last?

Refer to ‘Trump’s gambit’; for now, the US President has managed to engineer an end to the two-year-old Gaza war. But, till now, nobody has been able to alter permanently the pattern of violence in the region. The return of the Israeli hostages, freed from the brutal captivity of one of the most murderous terrorist organisations in the world, may signal the end of one war, but mark the countdown to the next. The ceasefire is only the initial phase of the Trump plan. The question is whether these deliberations can bridge the gaps between Israel and Palestine, leading to lasting peace. Hamas must cede power in Gaza to a Palestinian authority, while Israel should be persuaded to vacate the area.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

After Gaza, Ukraine war must end

Refer to ‘Trump’s gambit’; the end to brutalities in Gaza should be a matter of relief to all those who believe in the wellbeing of mankind. Let’s hope that a solution to the Russia-Ukraine war is also found soon. Unfortunately, across the globe the ruling elite’s ego and its own sense of insecurity fuel conflicts. With many countries armed with nuclear warheads, wars are a threat to the very existence of our planet and must be avoided. Sahir Ludhianvi has aptly said ‘Is liye aye sharif insano, jang talti rahe toh behtar hai’.

Hira Sharma, by mail

Taming Netanyahu key to peace

Trump’s peace plan in Gaza is viable but will it sustain till peace is established permanently in the region. Israel PM Netanyahu has been at the receiving end of mounting domestic anger. He believes that he can withstand any backlash even if his far-right allies threaten to quit his government over the agreement. Both the warring sides must rationally contemplate that they gain more from the deal than from continuing hostilities. But for any ceasefire to hold, Trump will need to lay down terms for Netanyahu, who has often acted disruptor.

PL Singh, by mail

Commerce sans ethics sinful

It refers to ‘A new blot on Indian pharma’; it is not only about cough syrups, but all counterfeit drugs that keep flooding markets. Can the pharma companies undermine public health by not enforcing Good Manufacturing Practices? Commerce without ethics is a sin and a crime. Drug manufacturing companies must act as trustees of the faith of the people. Regulators, too, should inspire the trust of the common man by conducting strict quality checks of drugs. Strong enforcement of laws and zero tolerance for wrongdoers is a must.

KR Bharti, Shimla

Suicide is no solution

Refer to ‘Why did The System let Puran Kumar down’; suicide was not the only solution for such a well-placed officer. He had many options instead of taking his life. Only Dalits don’t face such trauma. Across the world, differences exist in workplaces, religion, caste or any other matter. Most people find a way out to sail through such storms. How long will the Dalit tag be valid? Even after 75 years of freedom, placed in the highest echelons of power, the IAS/IPS/judicial officers, MPs/MLAs, etc cannot play the Dalit card. There are many other serious problems people are struggling with every day.

Ashok Kumar Goel, Panchkula

Towards climate-smart farming

Refer to ‘Rain shock’; erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather conditions demand climate-resilient crops, robust insurance and smarter water management. As an agrarian nation, we cannot afford a repeat of this year’s devastation. It is time to go beyond merely adapting to current disruptions. We must begin to anticipate emerging threats such as shifting pest cycles, soil exhaustion and rising salinity that could redefine agriculture in future. Policies must integrate long-range climate modelling, region-specific research and predictive data tools. A dedicated Agricultural Foresight Mission, which will blend scientific expertise with grassroots farming knowledge, can take us from reactive responses to preparedness.

K Kumar, Panchkula