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The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — July 10, 2025
Level crossing accident The tragedy at a railway level crossing near Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu is symbolic of the Indian way of defying rules and regulations. I am now in the United States and in a neighbourhood that is very close to a railway track. I find no gatekeeper and no barrier rods but only a traffic signal-like warning. Yet, citizens dutifully stop their vehicles and wait for the green signal before proceeding. People here are aware that one stands no chance before a mighty railway engine. Some time ago, I had an opportunity to interact with the loco pilot of the Deccan Queen train, from Pune to Mumbai. He was cruising well over 90 kmph and on reaching Ambernath slowed down, well aware that this was the point in the journey where pedestrians begin crossing the railway tracks. Hence, a reduction in speed was essential. For loco pilots of the Rajdhani express, Vande Bharat, and of course the futuristic bullet train, they will remain in fear of irresponsible and daredevil 'track crossers'. Subramaniam Sankaran, San Carlos Pl, Fremont, CA, U.S. While conflicting versions are being circulated about the accident, serious questions arise. How many more non-interlocked railway crossings across the country are there? Why does it take a tragedy for safety improvements? The upgradation of non-interlocked crossings to automated systems and strict enforcement of safety protocols in railways must be ensured. R. Sivakumar, Chennai When the Indian Railways is spending crores of rupees in adding more trains to generate revenue, why is it counting its pennies when it comes to safety measures? Murali Mohan P.V., Chennai Self nomination It is shocking that we have a set of world leaders who keep hailing one another as 'great and mighty' and suitable recipients for the Peace Nobel. Giving the coveted prize to a person who has not done even the bare minimum to stop a painful war would be most terrible. Layona Maria, Varappuzha, Kerala Grass court calendar In Wimbledon, with different winners in eight years in the women's field, unpredictability has become the norm. This diversity highlights the depth of the women's game but also suggests a gap in surface-specific mastery. The grass season remains too short for players to develop meaningful consistency. Administrators must consider an expanded grass-court calendar to reward adaptation and produce champions who can dominate, not just survive. Nagarajamani M.V., Hyderabad 'Qualifying date' In the article, 'The ECI does not have unfettered powers' (Opinion page, July 9), there appears to be an incorrect detail — that the 'qualifying date' can be only January 1. Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, referred to in the article, was amended in the year 2021. As in the amendment, with effect from 2022, the 'qualifying date' means 'the 1st of' January, April, July or October of the year in which the electoral roll is prepared or revised. Rangarajan R., Chennai
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — June 6, 2025
The next Census The announcement of India's next Census is both significant and overdue. While the shift to a digital Census marks a step forward, the more historic move is the inclusion of caste enumeration for the first time in independent India. This could provide critical data to inform policy decisions. However, the long delay and continued ambiguity about the start date raise concerns about political will and administrative preparedness. Given the scale and implications particularly for delimitation post-2026, it is imperative that the process be transparent, inclusive and methodologically sound. Enumerators must be thoroughly trained to handle sensitive caste data, lest the exercise risks becoming a demographic minefield. A credible Census is foundational to both democracy and development. We cannot afford to treat it as just another bureaucratic formality. Gopalaswamy J., Chennai Tragedy in Bengaluru The heartbreaking loss of 11 lives during what should have been a joyous celebration in Bengaluru in connection with RCB's maiden IPL title triumph, is a stark reminder of the critical importance of meticulous planning, empathy and safety in public gatherings. While the spirit of victory unites communities, it must never come at the cost of a life. R. Sivakumar, Chennai It is also a a tragic reminder of how dangerously misplaced our collective obsession with celebrity culture has become. Fans spend their hard-earned money on tickets, merchandise, and even firecrackers, all in blind devotion. The leagues have become overhyped and over-commercialised. Corporate houses, gambling platforms, and media giants milk the emotions of millions. Md Sabir Hussain, Arrah, Bihar
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — April 26, 2025
Now, action All the steps taken by India in its anger to punish Pakistan could turn out to be double-edged swords. India cannot take back the areas under the occupation of Pakistan (PoK) without unleashing a war which could end up with catastrophic consequences given that both nations possess nuclear weapons. 'Annulling' the Indus Waters Treaty unilaterally is legally complex and might have significant risks for India's international standing and also ensuring regional stability. Completely stopping the natural flow of rivers into Pakistan is also not immediately feasible. India must also not forget that China too is waiting to use water as a weapon. Therefore, what is required at the moment is not to over react. India needs to take steps, patiently and diplomatically, to isolate Pakistan from its staunch supporters and to dent its influence in the Muslim world. Coimbatore What happened in Pahalgam will scar Kashmir for years to come. Precious lives have been lost, families shattered, and a region already fatigued by decades of suffering has been left in shock once again. The Pahalgam carnage was a deliberate attempt to instil fear, fuel division, and weaponise religion. R. Sivakumar, Chennai It is good to see that all political parties have risen as one and expressed their support to whatever measures the Centre is going to take. Any response should not be too hasty, as it could cost the country goodwill. There needs to be a well-drafted plan based on sound intelligence. S.V. Venkatakrishnan, Bengaluru India's strong line — that 'India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist involved in this dastardly assault' — has obviously shaken Pakistan. India's neighbour must note that the bond between India and Kashmir cannot be broken. Steps must be taken to isolate radical and violent elements in Kashmir. Mani Nataraajan, Chennai India should not be satisfied with the initial steps taken after the Pahalgam attack but should systematically expose Pakistan's terror network globally. India should leverage new allies such as Saudi Arabia to further isolate Pakistan, and pressure China not to obstruct the listing of and sanctions on Pakistani-backed terrorists. If China changes its stance, it will be a major setback for Pakistan's terror networks. The unprecedented public anger after the Pahalgam attack is severely damaging Pakistan's narrative. Now is the time for India to vigorously expose Islamabad's support for terrorism globally and also campaign to uproot all the structures that fuel terrorism. Mohammad Asad, Mumbai The crux of the problem is identifying and locating the perpetrators of crime at Pahalgam. Without local support and a recce, the attack could not have been executed. Therefore, the starting point is zeroing in on local handlers. Once they are identified, the rest of the investigation falls in place. Last but not the least: utmost restraint from both sides is the need of the hour lest it become another Palestine issue. A.V. Narayanan, Chennai
