Unhappy hours
Sir — Workplace burnout, which is caused by working around the clock often without receiving due recognition, has become every employee’s tale. Hearteningly, businesses have been taking remedial steps. For instance, the head of Fat Dong Lai, a Chinese retail chain, has introduced 10 days of ‘unhappy leave’ for his disgruntled employees. Such a policy — it debunks the ‘9-9-6’ work culture — prioritises the emotional well-being of employees and must be replicated in other countries. However, given the growing trend of moonlighting, employers must also be wary of the potential misuse of such wellness measures.
Dikshya Jha, Calcutta
Vicious cycle
Sir — At least 29 Maoists were killed in an encounter by security forces in the heavily fortified Kanker district of the Bastar belt in Chhattisgarh (“29 ‘Maoists’ gunned down in security citadel”, April 17). This marks one of the most successful anti-Maoist operations in history. The Maoists have enlarged their footprint across the remotest parts of India by indoctrinating the rural youth. Furthermore, the lack of employment opportunities is pushing youngsters towards adopting extremist ideologies. The authorities must realise that armed strikes beget more violence in the form of vengeance. The government must thus not only initiate dialogue with Maoist groups but also bring wayward youngsters back to the right path.
Jayanta Datta, Hooghly
Sir — The news report on the killing of 29 Maoists in an encounter in Chhattisgarh made for a sobering read. It is deplorable that the government has not revealed the details of the operation or the number of collateral deaths that may have occurred during the incident. The frequent violence between security forces and Maoists is more than a law and order problem. Eliminating left-wing radicals will not put an end to the violence. The government must address the root causes of the crisis, such as the oppression of Adivasis.
Most Maoist rebels believe that they are fighting for tribal rights. A good strategy can be to persuade them to carry on with their struggle through non-violent means.
G. David Milton, Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
Elusive peace
Sir — The Ukrainian prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, has warned that the world will be plunged into a “Third World War” if Ukraine loses the conflict with Russia (“Fraught peace”, Apr 18). An upcoming peace conference in Switzerland will see the participation of more than 100 countries. However, with the American president, Joe Biden, preoccupied with the election campaign and his Russian and Chinese counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, respectively, recently announcing a “friendship without limits”, it remains to be seen whether the major superpowers end up attending the summit.
The Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, had proposed a 10-point “peace formula” which Russia vehemently rejected. There is thus justifiable scepticism about the meaningfulness of the conference if it is held without the leader of the country that is
the aggressor.
S.S. Paul, Nadia
Sir — It is ironic that Vladimir Putin has asked West Asian countries to exercise restraint amidst the recent escalation of tensions when his own country has been engaged in military aggression against Ukraine for the past two years. Individual ambitions of megalomaniac world leaders have ensured that the world remains perpetually engaged in conflicts. Both Russians and Ukrainians alike have been suffering owing to the conflict. Now Iranians, who have been grappling with a poor economy and high inflation, have also been dragged into a deadly conflict with Israel. It seems that no one wants to give peace a chance.
Amit Brahmo, Calcutta
Bright prospect
Sir — The India Meteorological Department has predicted above normal rainfall for the upcoming monsoon (“‘Above normal’ rain on IMD radar”, April 16). This provides cause for optimism. With the El Niño phenomenon weakening and benign weather conditions setting in by August, India would receive rainfall that is 106% of the long-term average.
A good monsoon is sine qua non for the country’s economic well-being. It will alleviate pressure on the fragile rural economy, which accounts for 46% of the total national income.
Arka Goswami, Durgapur
Sir — With global climate models indicating a weakening of the El Niño phenomenon, India’s weather agency has made a forecast of above-normal monsoonal rains. This is good news for the limping economy. A bumper kharif harvest will help the government ward off food inflation.
M. Jeyaram, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
True icon
Sir — The veteran actor, Amitabh Bachchan, has been chosen as a recipient of the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award. His journey to the pinnacle of the Hindi film industry is an inspiration.
Dimple Wadhawan, Kanpur
