It is going to be difficult for Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to come back to power in the state (‘Riding the welfare wave’, November 19). The Congress, in Rajasthan, is not united, and that has been a problem. Only a miracle can help Gehlot from here on. There is no denying that Gehlot is a popular leader with strong support among the masses, but his time in politics is over. He should be generous, and give a chance to young leaders.
Reports say Vasundhara Raje is not in the race, and that she has been ignored. Her time is also over. If the BJP wins, I hope it will look at fresh faces for chief minister.
Mayank Bhatia,
On email.
It was interesting to know the ground situation in Rajasthan after reading your cover story. You have not mentioned about the state’s unemployment rate, which is around 26 per cent, while the national average is around six per cent. Corruption is rampant in Rajasthan. Add to that, the alleged paper leaks in the state. Gehlot is responsible for both.
Under Gehlot, Rajasthan has plunged into an economic mess, and law and order has completely collapsed. People should punish Gehlot and the Congress for all that they have done in the last five years.
Anil Deshpande,
On email.
If Sachin Pilot was the chief minister of Rajasthan, the Congress would have come back to power. The infighting in the Congress was out in the open and remains unresolved, even if leaders project that everything is hunky-dory. People have strong electoral memories. Rajasthan, today, needs a young and dynamic leader like Pilot.
Sourav Mathur,
On email.
Congress president in Rajasthan Govind Singh Dotasra said, “People have realised that the BJP only talks, and we actually work.” I do not agree with him. On December 3, we will come to know who worked. The animosity between Gehlot and Pilot will in no way help the Congress to retain power.
Jayakumar A.V.,
On email.
Learn from animals
I thought Anita Pratap’s column made for an interesting read (‘Soundbite’, November 19). Crows are intelligent, and can amaze us. Pratap rightly points out that some essential human faculties have shrunk. We should learn from animals by improving our cognitive thinking and reasoning skills. Let us reflect on this, and become the smartest!
Praveen Thimmaiah,
On email.
Inspirational wings
Captain Augustine Joseph’s journey is an inspiration for so many of us (‘On the wings of dreams’, November 19). He rose from the ashes after he broke his back, neck and bones in an accident. I hope Joseph is able to bring the experimental aircraft ecosystem to India and make aviation a lot more prominent out here.
Vandana Mohankumar,
On email.
I salute Joseph. Despite all the adversities he faced in life, he did not let go of a lifelong dream and passion. He is a very determined and brave military man. Please come back to India. Our country needs people like you.
Thanks to THE WEEK for bringing us such stories.
K.D. Nair,
On email.
Kids, or no kids
Anuja Chauhan has made a valid point in her column (‘Schizo-nation’, November 19). Young people, especially in urban areas, don’t want to procreate. Parenthood is glorious and divine. If you don’t have children you are bound to become lonely at some stage. If each of our parents had decided not to have children, we would not have been here.
Life is precious. Children are the gift of God, and life is to be enjoyed with family that includes children.
Revathy Menon,
On email.
Parenthood is not for everyone, and should always be a matter of choice. Parenthood should not be forced on anyone. After all, the decision to become parents should not be made carelessly. There are so many parents I know who are not able to look after their children as they are extremely career-oriented. In such situations, children will go through psychological trauma.
Stress and compromises are part of parenthood, and for couples who do not want children, societal and family expectations should never matter.
Gaurav Trivedi,
On email.
Read for democracy
I fully agree with Tharoor (‘Last word’, November 19). Reading enhances our imagination, improves our vocabulary and widens our knowledge base. Reading can also improve the functioning of the brain and spark creativity. I agree with Margaret Atwood’s warning, “If there are no young readers and writers, there will shortly be no older ones. Literacy will be dead, and democracy will be dead as well.”
I hope our youngsters will take Tharoor’s advice seriously.
Suraj Gowda,
On email.
Reading is a must for young people. Teenagers these days are hooked on to apps. It is true that to an extent technology is useful, but it does not give us in-depth knowledge. Each of us should develop the habit of reading a page every day. More readers create more writers; more writers leads to good democracy.
Arul Sathya R.M.,
On email.
It is really good that one of the most erudite and learned intellectuals like Tharoor, through THE WEEK, has asked young people to read more. I agree to the views expressed that attention span is very short in the digital world. Even if there is reading, it is only skimming or scanning. Exams these days have more of multiple choice questions, which does not lead to in-depth understanding. Somehow there is a lack of critical and analytical approach to reading, which may impact the ability to innovate and appreciate facts.
Sachin Singh,
On email.