Sir — While reports and pictures of animals reclaiming their lost spaces in the absence of human activity during the global lockdown are many, it was worrying to read that numerous safari parks and nature reserves around the world are suffering on account of the loss of tourism revenue. This is especially true in India and in the African continent. The money for funding conservation and anti-poaching efforts has dried up; recently, in Kenya, an elephant was killed and its tusks removed. In order to combat the problem, could governments aid the wildlife sanctuaries in their countries to design virtual tours for people, much like museums around the world have done?

Rishita Mukherjee,

New Delhi

Bright spot

Sir — The report, “The best in us endures...” (April 29), was deeply moving. Abhijeet Chatterjee has provided a touching account of the bond between a Bengali family and two Kashmiri shawl-sellers stranded in Burdwan because of the pandemic-induced lockdown. Manzoor and Fayaz Ahmed, who are also brothers, have been breaking their fast during Ramazan with iftar meals served by their landlady, who is a Hindu. This tale reinforces our faith in humanity at a time of prejudice and hate.

Sunipa Basu,

Calcutta

Sir — It was heart-warming to read about the Kashmiri brothers and their landlady, the 65-year-old Roymoni Das, who have, in these trying times, shown us what true community feeling and unity are all about. The story of the compassion shown to the brothers — they were unable to leave Burdwan before the lockdown came into force — by their landlady and her family should serve as an eye-opener for all of us who have allowed prejudice and communal hatred to cloud our vision. It was also uplifting to read about the kindness shown by the court to a young boy in Bihar who was held for theft. The boy said that he was forced to resort to stealing in the midst of the lockdown because he was unable to feed his ill mother and brother. Not only did the court order his release, but it also directed the police to provide his family with food and clothing. Further, the judge asked the block development officer to help the boy get an Aadhaar card as well as a ration card for his family. The kindness of people is a godsend at a time of great suffering and deprivation; one hopes that it endures even after we have emerged from this dark phase.

Malini Bose,

Calcutta

n Sir — While the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in Uttar Pradesh, Suresh Tiwari and Dalveer Singh, are stoking communal fires by either appealing to the electorate not to buy vegetables from Muslim vendors or alleging that doctors of a medical college attached to Aligarh Muslim University are responsible for spreading the coronavirus, Roymoni Das of Burdwan and her family are ensuring that there are regular iftar and sehri meals for their temporary tenants — two Kashmiri shawl traders who are stranded on account of the lockdown. Their story is a beautiful reflection of our secular, humanitarian culture and also serves as a strong rebuttal in times of hatred. It brings to mind the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore and Nazrul Islam, which is in direct contrast to the ‘culture’ of intolerance sweeping many parts the country where rabid ‘patriotism’ and Hindutva are increasingly being equated with what it means to be truly Indian. In fact, in New India, Roymoni Das’s act of compassion would earn her tags such as ‘anti-national’ and ‘anti-Hindu’.

The 65-year-old woman’s actions should serve as an example not just for Bengal but also the rest of India. There is a lot to learn about secularism, humanity and universal brotherhood from this. Unfortunately, a section of the Bengali community has been falling prey to the lures of hate speeches and prejudice; these people must rediscover their humanitarian roots, which lie in the teachings of Tagore and Nazrul Islam. They must also learn from Roymoni Das, who has not allowed the widespread mud-slinging directed at Muslims and Kashmiris to sully her thinking. Hate-mongers can only succeed in their vile mission if people believe their words. The need of the hour is for ordinary people to continue being kind.

Kajal Chatterjee,

Calcutta