It is time something changed about the mad congestion in Mumbai, and I am sure the mega projects that you featured will transform the city (‘Metropolis….’, March 3).
The Marine Drive-Worli stretch of the coastal road should have come long ago. Why was there a delay in the first place?
I feel the government should come up with policies to limit the vehicle count in Mumbai. That’s the biggest problem that Mumbai faces. There should also be plans for the non-motoring public and a considerable population in the city that struggles to make a living. They should not be ignored at any cost.
Vandana Gupta,
On email.
It is heartening to read about progress on metro rail network and coastal road in Mumbai. However, there was no mention of metro lines covering the suburbs like Line 4, Line 4A and Line 5. These lines are very important to decongest LBS Road, Ghodbunder Road, Bhiwandi Bypass Road and Kalyan Road.
THE WEEK should periodically follow up the work and report the achievements and misses.
Prashant Kalantri,
On email.
It was difficult to take my eyes off from the mind-blowing cover picture of the coastal road from Marine Drive to Worli, and also your photograph of the Marine Drive-Worli stretch of the coastal road on pages 28-29. I saw Mumbai for the first time in 1984 when it was known as Bombay. Back then, the jaw-dropping display of colonial buildings of south Bombay stood out. But, later, I was dismayed by the city’s messy infrastructure and nightmarish traffic, and madly crowded local trains.
With all the new infrastructure I am sure Mumbai will soon emerge as the best city in India, a position it had sadly lost.
Let Mumbai rise again.
Somen Sengupta,
On email.
I enjoyed the article by Pooja Biraia Jaiswal on how she felt caught up between a city that she knew and one that is constantly on the move. As I read the mesmerising article describing the mega city I felt as if I was walking on the streets of Mumbai.
Thank you and keep up the good work.
Premchand M. Lengade,
On email.
Shameless act
While there is a strong allegation that the BJP is winning the elections only by tampering the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and the electorate are demanding usage of the tamper-proof ballot system in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, the saffron party has gone on to prove that they are experts in marking the ballots on their own (‘Powerdrive’, March 3). The shameless manner in which Anil Masih, the returning officer who belonged to the BJP, went on to openly deface the ballots of members of the opposition parties to declare the BJP’s Manoj Sonkar as the mayor of Chandigarh, not only exhibits his audacity and arrogance but also the fact that the BJP will stoop to any level to win elections.
R. Prasannan’s caution to the saffron party does not matter, as BJP president J.P. Nadda was the first to congratulate the BJP’s Chandigarh unit for ‘winning’ the mayoral election.
Tharcius S. Fernando,
On email.
Darker shades of politics
The guest article by former union cabinet secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar has provided some valuable insights into a grey side of the BJP (‘State of the union’, March 3).
I commend THE WEEK for showing a centrist political stance by incorporating articles of both supporters and opposers of the ruling party.
One cannot expect everything to be as colourful and orderly as in Disneyland in real-world politics. In reality, rajneeti is a complex machinery having many darker and rusty areas within.
Akhilesh Roopan,
On email.
May she inspire
Let me praise Dr Rani Maria Thomas for setting up a hospital for birds, the beautiful creatures of God (‘Come in cockatoos, iguanas and all my patients!’, March 3). Being a bird lover, it was with great enthusiasm that I went through the article. Only those who have a profound passion for nature can think of starting such a venture. In a world where fellow creatures are taken for granted, let Rani’s effort be an inspiration to others, especially those who work in the field of veterinary care.
Praveen Kaliayth,
On email.
Good actor
Many say that Janhvi Kapoor lacks emotions and tends to overact, but I think that is wrong (‘Damsel in demand’, March 3). She is an outstanding actor and a fitness freak. Kapoor has a bright future and she will, one day, be as famous as her mother, the graceful and talented Sridevi.
May all the films that Kapoor has signed up for this year do well. I wish her the very best.
Tapesh Nagpal,
On email.
Trouble with radicalisation
Last Word by Barkha Dutt (February 18) was intuitive and posed many questions at a time when a larger section of society bewildered by hindutva has become blind and supports, without any in-depth analysis, every move of the BJP.
Radicalism in any religious context is dangerous and equally disruptive for a progressive society. India is home to the world’s largest youth power. But it is disheartening to see a majority of this youth being distracted by a handful of people, while the rest of the youth is either busy in shaping their future or struggling to support their families.
Pankaj Kumar Deka,
Bongaigaon, Assam.