Apropos of ‘The emperor’s new clothes’ (The Sunday Tribune), the entire defence establishment has been on its toes, which itself shows that the government is in fire-fighting mode. The lack of planning and focus is visible, as the international aid has been lying unutilised. Retired healthcare workers should be called in and more funds made available. Corona awareness campaigns should be strengthened and social security measures announced for unemployed youth so that they do not resort to crime.

Anil Oberoi, Mohali

Time for a lesson

Reference to ‘The emperor’s new clothes’; the writer has aptly echoed the pain and anger of the common man. The people of Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have already given their verdict on the failure of Modi’s style of working. The apex court has also remarked about the failure of the Indian state. Where lies the remedy? We should take a leaf out of the recent American elections where the people, the Opposition and the media taught a befitting lesson to haughty Trump. Indian media and the Opposition parties will have to get organised to awaken the public about their rights.

Jaspal Singh, Ludhiana

Have had enough

The UP Government’s shameful act of hiding the corpses is utterly reprehensible (‘Hiding corpses in UP’). The manner in which the pandemic triggered the toll is rising and is penetrating the rural hinterland. The irony is that the government is putting up a brave face and is in denial mode. It believes that the catastrophe of even such a scale shall blow over time as the raging pandemic is not of its making. However, mismanagement of Covid-19 squarely lies on its shoulders. Voters are taken for granted as usual, but this time around, they have been shattered to the core by the loss of their loved ones and income. Now no dose of nationalism, hermit attire and polarisation tactics shall work to the BJP’s advantage.

Deepak Singhal, Noida

RSS’ timely warning

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has pulled up the Modi government for complacency in dealing with the pandemic, which has since become even more acute. Both the RSS and the Left were known to put institutional discipline above individuals. In 1997, the Left did not allow its leading light, Jyoti Basu, to become the PM, despite an active consensus in the coalition. The BJP, on the other hand, in its avid pursuit of power is seen to be compromising on the RSS ethos and tenets, and shedding accountability. Given the context, the warning from the RSS to its political understudy, the BJP, is, indeed, timely. If neglected, the BJP, too, could face estrangement from people, much like the fate of the Left today.

R Narayanan, Navi Mumbai

Rural Covid wave

Now that the Covid-19 virus has entered rural areas in a big way, there is a need for remedial action on a war footing before this wave turns into a tsunami. The main requirement is to stop the spread of the virus through contact with positive cases. As our village population is living in congested households, it is not possible for them to arrange home isolation. It is imperative that makeshift isolation centres be put up by the panchayats, which can serve clusters of villages. All suspected Covid cases should be moved to these centres immediately on detection and be given medical aid. These centres can be financed by village temples/gurdwaras/masjids and other donors under the stewardship of local MLAs/MPs on the pattern of many gurdwaras. These can be manned by nurses of PHCs and assisted by family members of the patients who can also bring food for them.

Brig WS Choudhary (retd), Panchkula

Israel-Palestine conflict

The controversial Israel-Palestine conflict has escalated recently. Hundreds of missiles were fired from both sides, killing dozens. Both Israel and Hamas have given various excuses for their actions. Sadly, this is what extremist leaders do globally: they justify violence and communal conflict. The world outside stood divided, too — some fuelled with outrage and others with triumph. While the majority of them have no real knowledge about their complex history, they are quick enough to pass judgements and trend hashtags on social media, like ‘India stands with Israel/Palestine’. Passing provocative comments serve no purpose; it only deepens the abyss between the two factions and their supporters. World leaders should also put aside their political and religious ambitions and focus on saving lives by pushing for a ceasefire, as the deaths of today will only become grief and ‘excuses’ for tomorrow.

Priya Dhiman, by mail

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