Declining popularity
The recent poor handling of the NEET paper leak by the government at the Centre, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence, and the nationwide protests by thousands of students, who braved the brutality of security forces, have adversely affected Modi’s image and downgraded his popularity rating to a great extent. Therefore, one cannot disagree that there is a growing demand and clamour by the Opposition parties and some sections of the public for the Prime Minister’s resignation. In a democracy, public servants are expected to remain accountable to the people they serve, and resign on moral grounds if found incompetent. Failure to do so has cost the government dearly.
A F Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
Saving languages
English, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, French and Arabic are among the 7,500 globally spoken languages. These include both, the mother tongue and the second language. While Mandarin Chinese has a large number of native speakers, English is a global imperative. However, the general consensus is that 90% of more than 7,000 languages will become extinct by 2050. Globalisation, urbanisation and history have pushed plenty of mother tongues to the wall. When parents tend to shift their focus on dominant or non-native languages, native languages tend to suffer. Compulsion to speak in a particular language at workplace and migration, of course, are huge factors that determine the longevity of a language, native or non-native. When all this happens, the culture and knowledge deeply embedded in these rare languages take a massive hit. Governmental efforts, self awareness and education may help in buffering and developing an indigenous language.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Wake-up call
The recent Gen Z protest in New Delhi and other parts of the country is a wake-up call to all the political parties to consider Gen Z dreams and aspirations in policy matters, which will impact their careers directly or indirectly. Political parties scoring petty and trivial brownie points over their opponents need to stop and start focusing on issues impacting the states and the country at large. Gen Z has no time to listen to political rhetoric. They need visible and tangible results on the ground. The youth of this country is worried a lot due to lack of job opportunities. Playing the religious card constantly is not attractive anymore to Gen Z. Political parties must work to ensure that the youngsters are not alienated and that their voices are heard.
There is a need for the politicians to introspect why the younger generation, which is the future of this country, is angry and frustrated. The present and future governments must make sure that paper leaks do not occur.
Paul Pereira, Majorda
Right move
Mumbai Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s recent crackdown on eateries and clubs across the city is a good move. The drive is not a personal crusade but part of a broader mission to ensure safe, standard and healthy food. The state’s focus has shifted from merely preventing food adulteration to enforcing comprehensive food safety standards. Now businesses and regulators alike must adapt to the new framework. Mundhe described the FDA’s strategy as ‘Empowerment, Enabling and Enforcement’, aimed at achieving ‘Safe Food, Safe Drugs, Safe Maharashtra’. His endeavours are worth emulating by all states of India.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
Partisan mockery
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s dismissive framing of IIT-Madras Director V Kamakoti as a “cow urine expert” in the Parliament is a troubling precedent that severely degrades Indian political discourse. Weaponising ‘ad hominem’ attacks against distinguished academicians to score cheap political points does not just insult an individual but also demeans the integrity of India’s premier scientific institutions. Intellectual disagreements must be met with empirical evidence, logical counters and rigorous debate, not condescending labels aimed at public humiliation.
Dr Vijaykumar H K, Raichur
Delayed justice
The Supreme Court’s posthumous exoneration of former prime minister late Dr Manmohan Singh in coal block allocation case revives a critical debate on delayed justice. Eleven years too late, the apex court examined the case on merit, ruling that the trial court erred in summoning him and rejecting the CBI’s closure report. Dr Singh, celebrated for his scrupulous commitment to public accountability, consistently maintained that he merely presided over a cabinet policy decision, with no evidence of conspiracy, personal gain or quid pro quo. While the verdict posthumously vindicates an honest gentleman, who steered India through turbulent times, it highlights a troubling reality: in India, prolonged criminal proceedings often become the punishment itself, irreparably damaging reputations long before courts pronounce a final verdict.
Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar
