Sir — A recent study found that 34 per cent of the employees in the technology industry in India are women, compared to 18 per cent in Europe and 24-25 per cent in the United States of America. This might seem to be a sign of empowerment, but the truth is that many of them leave their jobs by the time they reach mid-level. Moreover, disciplines such as mechanical or chemical engineering often have less than 10 female students in a batch. A primary reason for this is society’s deep-rooted belief that science is the domain of men. Girls must be encouraged to study science and tech. A holistic evaluation of the subjects they choose beyond school can help gauge the true nature of progress.

Riya Sharma,

Calcutta

Safety first

Sir — It seems that the namaste — the Indian way of greeting, by folding one’s hands — has become popular around the world with the outbreak of Covid-19. World leaders have been opting for it instead of handshakes. In a video clip taken at an event at the London Palladium on March 11, the Prince of Wales, Charles, was seen offering his hand but pulling it back after a moment — possibly recalling the precautionary measures needed to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus — and replacing the customary greeting with namaste.

It seems that one of the outcomes of the contagious disease, which can spread through proximity and person-to-person contact, is that it has led to the popularization of namaste, which has now become a preferred style of greeting in other parts of the world. The fear of contracting the disease has led to people shunning salutations that involve physical contact. The subcontinental salutation, however, involves no touching and can, thus, keep such anxieties at bay. The namaste is also a respectful form of greeting that can express a multitude of things, ranging from reverence to apology. Even though the circumstances are unfortunate, it is somewhat heartening that this gesture has found a wider appeal.

Khokan Das,

Calcutta

Sir — The rapid spread of Covid-19 over the last few weeks is reminiscent of a horror story out of the imagination of H.G. Wells. In a matter of weeks, it has taken the shape of a pandemic. It has not only affected public health — several countries have announced large-scale lockdowns — but has also led to enormous upheavals in the economy, with the stock markets witnessing a steep fall. The popularization of namaste at a time when the Hindutva ideology has taken firm root in India must be a joyous occasion for those taking pride in Hindu customs and traditions, for it seems to have replaced the Western handshake, at least for now.

Sanjit Ghatak,

South 24 Parganas

Sir — The coronavirus pandemic has had a number of consequences. Among other things, the fate of the biggest sporting event in the world, the Olympic Games, now hangs by a thread with the rapid spread of Covid-19 in Japan, the country slated to host the event later this year.

At least 1,484 people have been infected in Japan, with the death toll standing at 31 last evening. Out of those infected, as many as 697 people were guests on the cruise ship, Diamond Princess, anchored at Yokohama port. But according to a statement by the prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, it seems that the preparations for the Tokyo Olympics are still underway.

While the Japan government has been trying to contain the spread of the disease by closing schools and restricting the entry of travellers from affected countries, it has still been widely criticized for taking insufficient measures. Under these circumstances, it is natural that there will be apprehensions regarding the hosting of the Games in Tokyo. Japan has been preparing for the event for a long time, but even if it is equipped to handle every other security measure, the biggest problem now is the Covid-19 outbreak. There is still some time before the event is due to start; one hopes that the disease will have been contained by then. If that does not happen, then the venue of the Games must be changed. Let us hope that the global crisis is resolved within the next few months, so that the Tokyo Olympics can take place successfully.

T.K. Nandanan,

Kochi

Closer watch

Sir — The incident of a surrogate mother being arrested for allegedly cheating a couple whose child she was carrying by aborting the foetus is eye-opening. It sheds light on the dark truth that many women who are unfit to be surrogate mothers feel compelled to take on the task on account of financial constraints (“Surrogate mother held for cheating,” Feb 26). Although the surrogacy (regulation) bill seeks to restrict the practice to altruistic surrogacy, the use of paid surrogacy services has become common. Commercial surrogacy is banned in India, but not every case can be monitored, and services are often offered by dubious agencies or individuals. Ineffective monitoring and implementation allow cases such as the one outlined in the report to slip through the cracks. It is of utmost importance that officials keep a check on shady fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies and ensure that such mishaps can be avoided in the future.

Kiran Agarwal,

Calcutta