Your cover story on how the internet has brought monumental changes to our lives was comprehensive. I, especially, liked the article on emoticons (‘How Tech Defines You’, October 2). In my opinion, emoticons reflect fake and readymade emotions. But I use smileys, sometimes, to insist that a particular message is not intended to offend anyone. Nowadays, emoticons are used even in condolence messages, and I find that extremely jarring. I remember someone announcing the death of his father with a sad emoji. It looked disrespectful.
Ibrahim Rasoolmohideen,
On email.
The internet has brought about many changes to our lives, and it looks as if we are living in a small world. The internet has literally transformed our lives, and the ways in which we interact with our loved ones. We never thought 10 or 20 years ago that things would change to this extent. It is impossible to stay without the internet or mobile phones these days.
Suraj Pandey,
On email.
The mobile phone has taken over our learning abilities. Reading, writing and conveying verbal feelings have been replaced by the little champ. The pandemic forced children of all ages to get connected to the screen for long hours.
The internet has changed the way people used to behave and perform their daily chores, and it has also affected their way of thinking. The moment you are free, you feel like picking up the mobile phone, and surfing!
It is important to limit the internet’s use, or else you suffer from unpredictable ailments. To me, a book in hand is worth a thousand mobile phones.
Surinder Pal,
On email.
Advantage BJP
Now that the AAP is emerging as a strong force in Gujarat, the BJP will improve its performance in the state (‘The fight is on’, October 2). I feel a divided opposition will help the BJP. In urban centres, Narendra Modi has cast a spell—it seems like that. But in many pockets of rural Gujarat, there is visible anger against the BJP. Many are tired of the 27 years of BJP rule in the state.
But I feel till the time Narendra Modi remains the prime minister of the country, most voters in Gujarat would not prefer to have a non-BJP government in power in the state.
Kushal Tyagi,
On email.
Crazy people
Anita Pratap’s column (‘A tall order?’, October 2) on rich people and their fantasies was amusing. It is really crazy of people to go to such extremes to look taller. More than indulgences inspired by easy money, it is a reflection of ignorance. How else can one explain the process of breaking the thigh bones and inserting adjustable metal nails by using a magnetic remote control to grow taller. There are lunatic fringe groups who give us cause for amusement.
P. Prasand Thampy,
On email.
Level playing field
Do we really need to know the succession plans of Reliance Industries? (‘Thicker than oil’, October 2). I feel the Ambanis should not get a monopoly in every sector the way they are getting now. The law does not allow any one player to control a market share of more than 50 per cent in revenue base. There should be more and more people to challenge the Ambanis and the Adanis, and break their monopoly in certain sectors.
At the end of the day, it should be a fair market, and no industrialist and businessman in the country should accumulate all the money with him or her. The Ambanis and the Adanis deserve credit, and they have done a lot for the Indian economy. But nothing should remain the way it is forever. The government, on its part, should not be biased towards any sector or individual.
Ramachandran Nair,
On email.
Good job
It is commendable that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leaders are undertaking a yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir (‘Back to the people’, September 25). It has re-energised the Congress workers and the organisation, which had lost steam of late.
R. Karthik,
On email.
Recently, when a schoolgirl asked Rahul what was his advice to the youth entering politics, he gave an apt reply without any hesitation: Don’t spread politics of hate (‘Back to the people’, September 25). I never expected such a beautiful advice from Rahul, which was very meaningful. Rahul proved that he is a mature politician as well as a great philanthropist.
Jayakumar A.V.,
On email.
Catch up
I went through your report on how attention-grabbing inductions are helping the BJP steal the opposition’s thunder (‘Lure of the lotus’, October 2). But you missed mentioning an important Congress leader, who is now the chief minister of Assam—Himanta Biswa Sarma. A dynamic leader, he was sidelined by Rahul Gandhi. So, he joined the BJP where he was duly rewarded with the top post.
Amarinder Singh and Ghulam Nabi Azad may not pull crowds, but they are leaders with vision, and have a lot of administrative experience, which is vital to running an organisation.
The Congress is the only party that still has a presence in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Together, these states account for more than a hundred Lok Sabha seats. The BJP’s presence in these states is minimal. Time is running out for the Congress. With the present leadership crisis, I doubt whether they will be able to retain their present strength in 2024.
Rangarajan T.S.,
On email.