When will the violence in Manipur end? It has lasted too long and should not be allowed to continue (‘Tug of wars’, May 12). The state government should do everything possible to end the violence. People who resort to violence should be ready to face the consequences.
Insurgent groups in Myanmar are to be blamed for instigating violence in Manipur. There has to be effective coordination between the state government and the border guarding forces. The Central government should fast-track the construction of a fence along Indo-Myanmar border.
Tough action is the need of the hour. We cannot succumb to our emotions and allow people from across the border to settle on our side, just because we have some cultural links with them.
Rajan Khosla,
On email.
It was painful to read about the sufferings of the indigenous people living in temporary settlements in Manipur. The porous border is the reason why insurgents could encroach land that belonged to the local people.
Surprisingly, of the 400km-long Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur, not even one-tenth is fenced. The Union government must take steps on a war footing, and assign enough Border Security Force (BSF) personnel to check infiltration. To start with, the Manipur government must use the provisions under the Inner Line Permit guidelines and segregate the indigenous and non-indigenous population, and then deport the refugees.
R.V. Baskaran,
On email.
Prolonging war
The funny thing is that the western countries intend to prolong the Ukrainian war (‘Letter from the Editor’, May 12). There is no attempt even by the United Nations to mediate and bring about an end to the sufferings of innocent children.
Satish Abraham,
On email.
Catchy names
Providing unique names has amusing and boring components (‘Move away, Mary!’, May 12). Parents name their child with the belief that it would herald good fortune for the child. But the hapless child has to bear the burden of such peculiar imagination, least known to him or her. Another new dimension to names is the trend to spell the same name differently in an obscure way, making it seem catchy to pronounce and write. As Shakespeare said, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
Names need not be always trendy.
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.
Kerala and Modi
We have not found a Narendra Modi fan since we moved to Kerala from Gujarat in 2021 (‘Last word’, May 12). In Kerala, we tell everyone about the development Modi has brought to India, and try to glorify him.
Most people [in Kerala] are not happy about the hype given to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. If the BJP manages to win a few seats in the state, it will be because of the candidates, and not necessarily because of the people’s liking for the BJP or its ideology.
Rita John,
On email.
Heroic Nihangs
Thank you for the impressive story on Nihangs (‘Colour and valour’, April 14). The show of horses and other games by Nihangs in their colourful attire, loaded with arms, are magnificent. It is a pity that much of the national media is ignoring it. I am thankful to the editor for having given space to this historic event of the Sikhs in your popular magazine.
Tarlochan Singh,
Ex-MP and former chairman, National Commission for Minorities.
All must vote
While appreciating your sustained election coverage since March this year, I wish to highlight the fact that large numbers of people do not vote at all. Take Silvassa, for instance. The combined population of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli is approximately 0.08 crore. The city of Silvassa has an estimated population of 1.98 lakh. It witnesses a major influx of transient population due to industrial and tourism activities. Most migrant workers are not registered in Silvassa, and their population, which includes their families, would exceed two lakh. They do not visit their home constituency because of job commitments and expenditure.
The chief election commissioner must devise a system to ensure that every Indian is given an opportunity to cast their vote in the interest of the nation.
Only if we vote can we elect the right candidates and political parties. This will help in the growth of our country. In this digital era this is not impossible. In the coming years there must be a surge in voting percentage.
May the best party win the elections.
Muralidhar Kutty,
On email.
Choose carefully
Amidst the cacophony of the NDA aiming at 400 seats and wealth distribution emerging as a central campaign issue, we, the people of the country, seem to be in an Orwellian nightmare—which political party to choose, and which to reject? For me it is a political party that safeguards the Constitution, and one that ensures the fundamental rights in letter and spirit. It means you have to choose a political party with scrupulous attention, without being distracted by twisted narratives.
Karanam Rao,
Hyderabad.