Youth pushed to the wall
It should never have come to the point where students and unemployed youth had to take to the streets just to demand their rights. Their elders, parents, teachers, relatives and everyone who enthusiastically voted for the NDA should also be held accountable for the choices that shaped this moment. The state is able to use force so brazenly because it believes it can do so without consequences or judicial reprimand, the courts too are anyway an organ of the state now. When institutions are weakened or destroyed, much of the mainstream media toes the government line, dissent is equated with being an antinational and laws are promulgated that diminish the weight of the voter’s voice, what is there left to fear? All this when India is the self proclaimed mother of democracy. Sad day for the common man and their children.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
On medical education
In total 11.21 lakh candidates qualified in the NEET UG 2026 re-examination. The NEET UG question paper leak has triggered nationwide protests. Exorbitant fees in private medical colleges deny medical education opportunity to the less privileged. Further, the declining quality of MBBS degree is a matter of serious concern. The mass production model has shifted the focus on rote learning, leaving medical students ill-equipped for real world patient care. Pathetic performance of MBBS graduates in the NEET PG entrance examination forced the administrators to lower the cut off mark to zero. Is it right to consider the students who are unable to score even 35-40% in the entrance for special training? Why can’t the administrators raise the cut-off mark instead of lowering it to zero ? The truth is that desire for medical education surpasses its quality. Medical education must shift from quantity to quality, ensuring highly efficient and future-ready doctors.
Venu GS, Kollam
Reign of Spain
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina promised to be a clash for the ages, pitting Lionel Messi’s experience against the youthful brilliance of Lamine Yamal. However, the much-anticipated contest turned out to be a surprisingly one-sided affair, with Spain dictating the pace and denying Argentina any meaningful opportunities. Spain eventually emerged victorious with a 1-0 win after extra time to claim their second World Cup crown. Sadly, Argentina’s conduct after their World Cup final has come under fire, with players and fans facing criticism for their actions during the trophy presentation and post-match celebrations. That tension between control and conversion defined the tournament as a whole. Expanded to 48 teams for the first time, the World Cup delivered genuine passion, with smaller footballing nations reaching stages previously closed to them and often delivering their best.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Go slow on AI cameras
How much weightage has the state government given to AI cameras to manage and monitor daily vehicular traffic? Instead of immediately imposing penalties, the government could have operated the AI traffic management system on a trial basis for one year to assess its actual effectiveness in disciplining road users. Even the Supreme Court of India permits litigants and lawyers to make diligent use of artificial intelligence. However, AI is not final, as it can never replace human-assisted logical reasoning based on the circumstances and facts of each case. Across India, many vehicles are not driven by their registered owners. Some owners work outside the state or abroad, while family members or close friends use their vehicles. This raises a legal question when traffic violations are penalised. AI cameras are not programmed for facial recognition linked to Aadhaar, driving licences, or voter identity cards. As a result, innocent registered owners may be penalised for offences committed by others, creating bitterness within families and among friends over payment of challans. Most vehicles also lack GPS or inbuilt systems that assist drivers in complying with traffic rules. Without counter-evidence, reliance solely on AI cameras is unfair. In the present scenario, AI acts as both prosecutor and judge, compromising the principles of natural justice.
Paul Pereira, Utorda
Lust for power
Power always accumulates like a black hole in the universe, attracting the darkest and most evil personalities. Men in power have always been the same; look across millennia, across the world. They serve no religion, creed, cause and certainly not the country. There is only this never ending lust to hold on to their chairs, the nation be damned. History is witness to the fact that the only real fight is between people and power. If you can’t question the emperor at least do not worship him as your deity.
Misha, Varca
