Peaceful train journey
The Indian Railways has issued an advisory prohibiting passengers from playing music, watching videos aloud, making loud phone calls on speaker mode or using disturbing ringtones in trains and railway premises. It aims to restore a peaceful environment enjoyed by all travellers, especially in enclosed AC coaches. But some may argue that the advisory restricts personal freedom. Travelling by train often involves long hours in close quarters alongside strangers. Loud music or conversations can easily intrude on the calm, forcing passengers to endure unwanted noise that spoils the overall travel experience. Railway authorities have also empowered staff and ticket examiners to enforce these rules, including imposing penalties up to Rs 5,000 or imprisonment for persistent offenders. Critics may feel that such rules curb individual choice. However, public transport is a shared environment where the rights of one must respect the comfort of many. Noise pollution in confined spaces can cause stress, sleep disruption, and discomfort, especially for elderly passengers, children, or those seeking rest. The move prioritises the well-being of travellers without banning mobile usage altogether.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Fatal complacency
The alarmingly high hospital mortality rate—nearly 20 per cent among confirmed cases—underscores a severe public health blind spot. Misdiagnoses as tuberculosis or Acinetobacter reflect systemic diagnostic deficiencies across Indian clinical centres. Uncontrolled diabetes acts as a devastating catalyst for Burkholderia pseudomallei opportunism, yet diagnostic infrastructure remains shockingly sluggish. With nearly 9 per cent of high-risk hospitalised adults testing positive, our complacency is fatal. Unprecedented environmental exposures and unmonitored agricultural shifts relentlessly accelerate endemicity while state surveillance remains completely absent. Mandatory national registry establishment, rapid serological screening deployment, and aggressive clinical re-education are non-negotiable imperatives. Continuing to ignore this cryptic pathogen will guarantee avoidable casualties among vulnerable populations across India’s agricultural belt.
Vijaykumar HK, Raichur
EV push for forex
India currently holds $721 billion in foreign reserves while consuming 1.8 billion barrels of crude oil annually, costing $190–$200 billion for imports that fulfil 85 per cent of its needs. Additionally, petrol and diesel emissions severely exacerbate pollution. While importing lithium-ion batteries costs around $1.85 billion annually, switching to electric vehicles (EVs) will immensely benefit India by conserving foreign exchange over the long run, despite higher initial vehicle costs. Replacing 20 per cent of conventional vehicles with EVs is estimated to save $12 billion in reserves annually, with long-term savings scaling even higher. Given volatile geopolitical tensions, crude oil prices are unlikely to abate, making the shift to EVs increasingly advantageous. Ultimately, steadily adopting EVs is essential not only to safeguard precious foreign exchange reserves but also to significantly improve air quality across our cities and towns.
Elvidio Miranda, Panaji
Lula’s fresh mandate
Brazil has voted for continuity amid allegations of voter suppression and the illegal extension of voting hours. Leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won again to clinch a historic fourth term. He bagged 51.79 per cent votes, compared to 48.21 per cent by Flávio Bolsonoro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Lula faced severe anti-incumbency as a sitting President, much like Jair Bolsonoro did. Labour growth, augmented job market, poverty reduction and global diplomacy were known as Lula’s strong points even as social polarisation, increased cost of living and corruption charges followed him. A known Donald Trump critic and a prominent face of resistance of ‘Trumpism’ in Latin America, the 81-year-old Lula has been given another chance by the voters to fulfil his unfinished agenda.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Govt on the back foot
Whenever the Modi government faces criticism, top leaders brand dissenters and protesters as ‘anti-nationals’ and ‘urban Naxals’. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is repeatedly accused of conspiring with foreign agencies to weaken constitutional institutions and create anarchy. Recently, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Gandhi has treacherous links with foreign entities. If the ruling party possesses concrete evidence, what prevents it from prosecuting him for treason? This ‘nation under threat’ narrative is clearly raised because the government is shaken by widespread protests led by the INDIA bloc and citizens. Protesters allege SIR irregularities by the Election Commission and demand the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Moreover, Gandhi’s ‘vote theft’ accusations resonate strongly with people.
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
