Fond farewells
Sir — A hug a day can keep stress away. However, in New Zealand, it can land a person in trouble. An airport in that country has installed signposts asking travellers to limit the hugging to a maximum of three minutes. This has been done to keep the traffic moving near the drop-off points. Yet Hollywood and Bollywood — be it Casablanca or Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na — have long romanticised the flouting of rules at airports for the sake of love. Heroes have run past security checks without tickets and even boarded airplanes to pledge their undying love to heroines. Would a three-minute hug be enough for people who have grown up watching people jump over trolleys loaded with bags to reach their loved ones even though they could have easily sent an SMS instead?
Bitan Sen, Calcutta
Mysterious links
Sir — The alleged involvement of Vikash Yadav, a former officer of the Research and Analysis Wing, in the assassination attempt on the Khalistani separatist leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on foreign soil has put the Indian government in a tricky situation (“‘Won’t tolerate’: FBI hunt for ex-RAW official”, Oct 19). India has claimed that Yadav was not employed by R&AW during the assassination attempt on Pannun. However, this excuse hardly has any takers as it is used by many nations that send operatives on covert missions. One wonders whether the Indian government has adopted Israel’s way of dealing with people deemed dangerous to national security.
Anthony Henriques, Mumbai
Sir — The department of justice of the United States of America had previously accused the Indian government of planning the murder of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York in 2023. The US has now made the identity of a person of interest in this case public. The move came after New Delhi conveyed to Washington D.C. that Vikash Yadav was no longer in the service of the Government of India. A committee has already been formed in India to investigate the allegations against Yadav.
Dimple Wadhawan, Kanpur
Sir — Political assassinations, attempted or otherwise, often fuel debates about their effectiveness. While many believe that assassinations are necessary to nullify threats to the nation, can killing one ideologue tame the separatist sentiment? The recent death of the Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, prompts the same question: can the death of one leader kill off a movement? India’s alleged involvement in the plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun raises questions about whether foreign countries are stoking Khalistani sentiments. Moreover, will India’s alleged attempt to kill Pannun only sow more violence instead of resolving the Khalistan issue?
Anshu Bharti, Begusarai
Sir — The misuse of official positions for personal benefits is not unheard of in India. The association of Vikash Yadav with the assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is thus not unconvincing. The Indian government needs to restore people’s faith in its institutions and employees.
Jakir Hussain, Kanpur
Sigh of relief
Sir — The government’s plan to exempt senior citizens from paying GST on health and life insurances will give the elderly a much-needed breather (“GST waiver for life insurance premia on card”, Oct 20). A Group of Ministers will submit a report on this issue to the GST Council in October. One hopes that the exemption will come into effect soon as many retired employees will have to renew their policies by November. The council can also consider refunding pensioners who have already paid the 18% GST on premiums.
N. Mahadevan, Chennai
Sir — The decision to exempt senior citizens from paying goods and services tax on medical insurance premiums would be a welcome move. This tax burdens policyholders and deters many from purchasing health insurance policies. Insurance can help people afford hefty medical bills. The insurance industry has long advocated for the reduction of GST to attract potential customers.
Lowering the tax on medical insurance will motivate many to purchase it, contributing to financial security and reducing health risks. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India data suggest that insurance penetration in India is relatively low — around 3% of the GDP for life insurance and 1% for general insurance.
Moreover, the current taxation policy is inconsistent with the government’s broader objective of promoting social welfare and economic stability. By removing the GST on all insurance premiums, the government can take a significant step towards ensuring that more citizens are financially protected against future uncertainties.
Khokan Das, Calcutta
Mere gimmick
Sir — The Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal organised the Ratan Tata Memorial March led by Suvendu Adhikari (“BJP’s Singur foray in Tata’s name”, Oct 19). Adhikary had previously played a pivotal role in vehemently opposing Tata’s enterprise at Singur. The state BJP’s present obeisance to Tata is but a political ploy to mislead people and will surely backfire.
Ananda Dulal Ghosh, Howrah
Heritage house
Sir — It is heartening that the West Bengal government not only renovated Step Aside, the two-storeyed villa in Darjeeling where Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das breathed his last in 1925, but also created a museum commemorating his life and works in that building, which will soon be open to visitors (“Deshbandhu’s villa facelift”, Oct 18). This villa will surely become a tourist attraction in the hill town.
Sourish Misra, Calcutta