This refers to your cover story The Demon on My Palm (September 16). Until a few years ago, mobile phones used to stay pretty much in our pockets unless we got a call. Not anymore. We carry our phones around like priceless jewels and are turning ourselves into phone zombies—always on the phone, even bumping into people while walking in the street. In Germany, they call them smombies—smartphone users who stagger around the city like zombies, oblivious to the risk they pose to themselves and others. Rexburg, a city in Idaho, USA, has even imposed a $50 fine for texting while walking. The paradox is that intelligent gadgets make us act stupid.
H.N. Ramakrishna, Bangalore
Smartphones have changed people’s lives and behaviour. Entry of television had already made people strangers in society as social calls in the evenings and on holidays became a once-upon-a-time thing. People remained glued to the small screen watching saas-bahu serials and guests coming at that time were a cause of irritation. Smartphones have taken this a step further, making people strangers within their own family. Virtual relationships are becoming more important for them than real-world ones. We must find ways to prevent digital disorders from becoming an epidemic.
M.C. Joshi, Lucknow
The ubiquity of mobile phones is unmatched by any other technological product. It seems the mobile phone has become an extension of the human being and an indispensable part of life. Many users rely upon their phones to create and maintain their self-image, and demonstrate how important and busy they are. It is amazing how a technological device of modern civilisation gives people emotional fulfilment and lifts their mood. But being on the phone for hours on end can be a lifestyle disease. A lot of people have no time left to watch the night sky, a movie or a football or tennis match, go on a family outing, read a book or even make love at leisure. A phone is no substitute for a child’s need for the time and love of parents and other family members. This addiction is a serious challenge the world faces today. The hazards of insensible use of mobile phones are many and varied. Fake news and rumours on the internet have a corrosive effect on society.
G. David Milton, Maruthancode
While the internet has made it possible for individuals around the world to network in ways not possible before, it has also let loose a digital demon against teenagers who withdraw from family and friends to pursue online gaming as an end in itself.
Kangayam R. Narasimhan, Chennai
It is no exaggeration to say that the mobile phone is a killer. The phone has served to further an extreme form of narcissism, through capturing selfies. It’s the ‘I-me-mine’ syndrome.
George Jacob, Kochi
Your cover story delineates the dark and negative side of the widespread use of smartphones, including the tragic and appalling incidents that can happen when young men and women are too engrossed taking selfies. This can be attributed to narcissism, and the desire to become famous by doing something unusual, outlandish, extraordinary, daring, surprising, astonishing or ostentatious. The reason behind all this is lack of experience and the guidance that only elders can provide. This inexperience makes them reckless and causes missteps that can lead to fatal consequences. The menace is engulfing entire societies, affecting the natural bonds among people. It should ideally be the responsibility of parents to care about their children, but, in this case, they are often themselves among those afflicted.
Indu S. Dube, Varanasi
Reading about internet addiction is surreal with Kashmir taken off the internet a month ago.
Lakshmanananda Vaghel, Dahod
Your story A King’s Ransom from the Iron Bank (September 9) confirms that the king is on the verge of insolvency. Many other decisions taken in a hurry—such as the recent mergers of nationalised banks to reduce their number with specious reasoning that it would strengthen them in many ways, including reducing their non-paying assets and bad debts—are ludicrous. They may create scope for the window-dressing of balance-sheets for a while, but the total worth of the merged banks would not increase unless the prevalent corruption in the system is systematically fixed. I am surprised that there is not even a single voice pointing fingers at the rampant political corruption over the decades as the main factor for the creeping decay of banks.
M.N. Bhartiya, Goa
The decision of the central board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), based on the recommendations of the Bimal Jalan committee, has reignited the debate on whether the central bank’s reserves should be used for any purpose other than addressing unforeseen economic crises. However, infusion of capital into public sector banks should be the foremost priority. At present, the Indian economy does not depict a rosy picture. Certain sectors such as aviation, automobiles and real estate are languishing.
Along with the loss of jobs in several industries and increasing unemployment, economic growth has slumped to a six-year low. In light of the prediction of a global recession in 2020 or early 2021, it is debatable whether the Centre draining the RBI’s surplus was a prudent exercise.
J.S. Acharya, Hyderabad
This refers to Nivedita Menon’s column To Show Muslims Their Place (September 9). The BJP has been emboldened not just by its overweening numbers in Parliament, but also by the way Hindu majoritarianism is being apparently backed by the nation, where any opposition to the ruling regime is instantly branded as unpatriotic. The BJP has never made any bones about its anti-Muslim politics. The Uniform Civil Code could turn out to be another deceptive step towards the ultimate goal of establishing a Hindu Rashtra, which would be the final nail in the coffin of secular India.
Vijai Pant, On E-Mail
This refers to Rami Chhabra’s column In the Fallow Land of Fertility (September 9). India’s population rise is gradually hitting a plateau. Whether out of choice or due to infertility issues, births are getting controlled. At a time when awareness about the benefits of small families is at an all-time high, any sort of coercion by the government will not be considered a wise move. Moreover, there is nothing to set right the prevalent belief that population control is solely the responsibility of women. Issues like early marriages and births are left unaddressed.
Kamna Chhabra, Gurgaon
This refers to That’s All for Now, Folks (September 16). The National Register of Citizens (NRC) process in Assam is just not illegal as it goes against the letter and spirit of our Constitution, but also unethical and immoral. It violates Section 3 of the Citizenship Act of 1955 that guarantees citizenship by birth—a provision for anyone born in India after January 26, 1950, and also a norm in most countries of the world. The NRC has a very difficult process of proving citizenship that left out more than 19 lakh people. As there are a number of Hindus among the excluded, their only hope now is the proposed citizenship amendment act that promises citizenship to all Hindu, Christian and Parsi immigrants, but not to Muslims. The NRC must be seen in this larger context based on the very kind of discrimination that our Constitution deems illegal.
Rakesh Agrawal, Dehradun
This refers to your interview with shuttler P.V. Sindhu (“Pressure and responsibility are always high…Play well and win”, September 16). Her win at the world championship is not only a moment of pride and happiness for India, but also a moment to reassert that our girls can do equally well in sports. With this victory, Sindhu avenged her defeat at the hands of her Japanese opponent in Glasgow two years ago. The jinx of losing in 2017 and 2018 to Nozomi and Carolina Marin, respectively, has been broken. Her gold will glitter for a long time to come.
Padmini Raghavendra, Secunderabad
Though the BJP managed to form the government in Karnataka, the road ahead is likely to be full of hurdles (Shah of the Soudha, September 16). The feud between the old guard and the younger leaders is out in the open. Holding fresh elections is not an option because precious money will be wasted. The people of Karnataka will have to brace for any eventuality.
Anish Esteves, Mumbai
