The Haifa Port in Israel will work wonders for India and is a potential game changer (‘A passage for India’, October 1). It will give India access to more markets for its products and services.
Israel is a country that genuinely wants to be friends with India. Both nations face common challenges, yet we have so much to learn from Israel. The scope for trade and defence-related opportunities between India and Israel are immense.
I read that Israel did not allow China, or its tycoons, to run the Haifa Port. India should be forever indebted to Israel and return the favour in kind in the days to come.
Yash Kothari,
On email
Where there is a will, there is a way. The lndia-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor can be seen as India’s growing clout in geopolitical context. The Haifa Port could well become the flagship project serving as India’s gateway to Europe. The infrastructure and atmosphere in Haifa is tailor-made to take India to newer heights of international leadership.
India stands to gain economically and politically. The Haifa Port could well be a major port of call for intercontinental transportation, and will open doors for more development.
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.
Worrisome problem
I agree with Swara Bhasker that Indian media, especially electronic media, has parroted the government’s position on almost all issues (‘Bitter Chocolate’, October 1). Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not be sitting in a position of comfort and giving interviews to select news publications and channels. Journalists, on their part, should not hesitate to ask Modi tough questions. Today, the line between journalism and public relations in India is growing thinner, which is a worrisome problem.
Gaurav Malhotra,
On email.
Need to innovate
A travelling circus reminds me of the gypsies in One Hundred Years of Solitude (‘Shape-shifting circus’, October 1). Every time they come to Macondo, they bring crowd-pulling foreign wonders that are new to the inhabitants—magnets, magnifying glasses, ice and even dentures.
If circuses can come up with unique attractions such as laser shows, 3D holograms, robotics and even artificial intelligence, it will surely connect with Gen-Z who are consuming way too much entertainment from their couches. It is always the latest science and tech that pique people’s curiosity, like in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige.
Prarthna Roy,
Kolkata.
Quite funny
We have 543 Lok Sabha seats and all are open to eligible women candidates, even in reserved constituencies. Then, why should 33 per cent seats be exclusively reserved for women, as if they were long denied it?
I find it funny when Barkha Dutt said Indian women have waited close to three decades for this moment (‘Last word’, October 1). It is unthinkable that a seasoned journalist of Dutt’s calibre had to join the bandwagon in welcoming the women’s reservation bill.
Maitreyee Chatterjee,
On email.
Wish Deepika the best
Deepika Padukone was not fluent in Hindi when she grew up in Bengaluru. But today she is among the top actors in Bollywood (‘The business of being Deepika Padukone’, September 24). She has made a mark in Hollywood, was a presenter at this year’s Oscars, and unveiled the FIFA World Cup trophy in Doha last year.
It is well known that Padukone has had a rough beginning, when she had to face cruel critics. But she took everything positively and let her performance do the talking. Hats off to Padukone. I wish her the best.
Rajendra Prasad,
On email.
Six months ago, my sister gave me a birthday gift—a one year subscription of THE WEEK. And I have been enjoying your excellent articles ever since. Your Karnataka election coverage was a real treat. But Padukone was not cover story material. Please do not disappoint me in future.
The offbeat stories, the lucid language and the strong south coverage made me often buy your magazine.
S. Lalitha,
On email.
Keeping up with De
Of late, I get excited after reading Shobhaa De’s columns. The way De mentioned about her interactions with Harish Salve was way too good! I even imagined them dancing together (‘Detour’, September 24).
De, at 75, is a great observer who knows how to put her thoughts and feelings into words. I have always believed that De is the best love guru we have in the country. She can spice up your life in a jiffy with her wise counsel. All couples, married or otherwise, should catch up with De at least once.
Praful Bhushan,
On email.
It is Sanjay Desai
In the World Cup Special Issue (October 8), Roger Binny’s friend Sanjay Desai was erroneously mentioned as Santosh Desai.
Jothindra P.L.,
On email.
We regret the error.
Editor
Mangled words
Unfortunately there’s a gross error in both the print & online editions—my lame college joke was “every successful man has a woman behind him, because men tend to put their mistakes behind them.” @theweek_in has mangled the punch line and made it incomprehensible. No doubt the joke’s sexism deserved it!
Shashi Tharoor, author, On X.
We regret mangling the quote in ‘A shot of truth’ (October 8).
Editor