This refers to your cover story (They Took the Shot for You, January 25). Extraordinary situations need extraordinary remedies. When a swarm of mosquitoes bite you, you don’t count the number of mosquitoes or study their genre, but use a mosquito bat or spray to kill them. Waiting for a vaccine that is 100 per cent reliable is not possible anywhere in the world when a dreaded virus is taking a heavy toll of people’s lives. Doomsayers might point at the hasty approval for two vaccines as well their side-effects. But side-effects are common to all vaccines. Rather than spreading lies and rumours about the vaccines, we must step forward and assist in the vaccination drives. Our scientists have burnt their midnight oil to come up with two indigenous vaccines, and the government has already tried them on doctors, nurses and sanitary workers without any serious side-effects.
Kangayam R. Narasimhan, Chennai
I wish to congratulate all the volunteers who took the risk of facing the unknown, despite the fears of their loved ones for their safety. I wonder why there were no Muslims in the list.
Duggaraju Srinivasa Rao, Vijayawada
This refers to Space for All on This Flagpole (February 8), your story on the violence in Delhi during protests against the new farm laws on January 26. The protests have been largely peaceful all these days except what happened on Republic Day, when the tractor march in the national capital led to destruction of public property injuries to police personnel.
C.K. Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai
This refers to your story on Bengal politics (In His Mantle Lies a Political Gold Mine, February 8). Mamata rose to prominence after her victorious fight against the erstwhile Left Front government’s plans to grab land for a Special Economic Zone to be developed by the Indonesia-based Salim Group in Nandigram and against a proposed Tata Motors car project at Singur. The founder of the All India Trinamool Congress pulled off a landslide victory, defeating the 34-year-old CPI(M)-led government. Eventually, it started becoming clear that she is running a one-woman show. The political scenario never remains the same forever. Her arbitrary style of governance and some big scams disenchanted a chunk of people in Bengal. Exploiting Muslim sentiment in an atmosphere of fear with a Hindutva regime at the Centre, the AIMIM managed to wean away the minority to create a separate vote-bank. Some regional parties also entered the election fray to divide the anti-BJP votes. Meanwhile, Mamata’s tug-of-war with the BJP reached another level with rival claims over the legacy of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Seetharambasaani, Hanamkonda (Telangana)
This refers to Dark Netted Child Trap (February 1), your story on the Uttar Pradesh government employee who abused at least 70 children in 12 years. It made for a chilling read. Most shockingly, his wife is said to have connived in the crimes. They are not psychopaths, but products of our society and their crimes were enabled by this same society. Doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, criminologists, sociologists, sexologists and social workers should join hands to address the problem that is often hidden in plain sight.
M.N. Bhartiya, Altoporvorim (Goa)
This refers to your story on the pros and cons of regulating OTT platforms (Censorship Tandav Is a Serial Killer, February 8). OTT has achieved phenomenal growth in the past year. One reason of this growth is the fact that the television industry has failed to innovate adequately, leaving people to look for alternative ways of entertainment. OTT platforms have grabbed this opportunity. There is no doubt that OTT provides wholesome entertainment. Censorship will surely affect the creativity of those who make content. Self-regulation should be sufficient. The government should keep a watch on the content, but desist from censorship.
D.B. Madan, New Delhi
This refers to The Best Gift Ever, From Our Boys (February 1), your story on the young cricketers who brought India glory in Australia. Continuing their good form with bat and ball, the India team storming Gabba fortress by carving a spectacular win and a phenomenal series victory was a historic moment for Indian cricket. The victory propelled India to the top of the ICC World Test championship standings. Despite the odds stacked against India, the stunning and gutsy display by Test debutants and other less-experienced players proved their mettle in the absence of top players. Soon after the series, Australian coach Justin Langer rightly said that Australians should never underestimate the Indians who fought valiantly and clinched the series in style. Team India’s glory in the midst of abuse and injury in Australia will go down in the annals of Indian Test history as one of the greatest wins. Three cheers for the boys who made the nation proud by scripting an epic win that will be deeply etched in the memory of all lovers of cricket for generations. Let us wish the team continues with the same spirit in future endeavours to bring more laurels to India.
K.R. Srinivasan, Secunderabad
On January 15, when the Test match started, nobody thought the Indian cricket team would score a stunning victory at Brisbane, Australia. We had only two bowlers with Test experience, while the mighty Australians bowlers had 1,033 wickets on their combined record. It was a contest between David and Goliath. Australia had never lost a match at Brisbane for 32 years. Well done, Indian cricket team.
Madan, On E-Mail
