Refer to ‘The covenant and the contract’; a soldier’s life is defined by sacrifice, not transaction. As a poem reminds us, “God and the soldier all men adore, in time of trouble and no more; for when war is over and all things righted… the old soldier (is) slighted.” From 1947 through successive operations, including the recent Op Sindoor, the Indian soldier has upheld national honour with unwavering commitment. Yet, upon retirement, many face indifference and indignity from the very society they served. A nation that celebrates its soldiers in uniform must also stand by them in retirement — with dignity, empathy and institutional support.
Col SS Chauhan (retd), Mohali
Cotton crop good for environment
Refer to ‘Reviving cotton’; many farmers were forced to abandon cotton in favour of water-intensive paddy. The revival of cotton is not just an economic necessity but an environmental one. To restore its glory, the government must intervene through the introduction of high-yielding, pest-resistant seed varieties tailored to current climatic shifts. Ensuring robust procurement at MSP along with providing timely expert guidance on integrated pest management can be a big help. Easier access to bank credit for cotton growers must be provided.
Fateh Najamuddin, Chennai
Strengthen public healthcare
With reference to ‘Punjab bets big on healthcare’; promoting insurance cover is not the answer for fulfilling public healthcare needs. It has led to rising cost of treatment and premium, irrational therapeutics, over-prescription and unnecessary investigations making healthcare a commodity rather than a service. The only solution to reduce out-of-pocket expenses is by strengthening government hospitals and medical education institutions.
Vitull K. Gupta, Bathinda
Political change essential
The swearing-in of Thalapathy Vijay as CM of Tamil Nadu marks a seismic political shift, reflecting the public’s desire for fresh leadership. In a democracy, such change is essential, as dominant parties often become complacent and begin to assume voter loyalty as permanent. It has also demonstrated the power of the ballot. However, stardom alone is not enough. Lasting success demands good governance, integrity, administrative ability and effective delivery. The verdict also sends a message to other states that the socially aware voters are willing to support alternatives, when established leaders fail to perform.
K Kumar, Panchkula
No moral corruption in rhymes
Refer to ‘Johny Johny Yes Papa teaches to lie, mustn’t learn: UP minister’; such innocence-filled rhymes have entertained generations of children worldwide and are meant to nurture imagination, rhythm and joyful learning, rather than moral corruption. To interpret these rhymes as threats to Indian culture reflects a misplaced sense of priorities at a time when our education system faces far more serious challenges, such as poor infrastructure, unemployment and declining learning standards.
Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar
Listening not a substitute for doing
Refer to ‘We are finally learning to listen’; listening today is increasingly becoming a substitute for action. We consume podcasts, interviews and motivational content for hours, only to spend ten minutes cleaning our room and feel transformed. This ‘action faking’ creates the illusion of progress without the discomfort of sustained effort. What remains scarce is execution. Real learning begins when ideas leave the screen and become routine.
Harsh Pawaria, Rohtak