Sir — Just like humans, animals learn behaviour crucial for survival from older members of the same species. But how does one learn such a skill when the older members are dead? The regent honeyeater may now go extinct. Not only are young birds not learning to sing, but their songs are also becoming less intricate. In spite of a rising number of endangered bird species, surprisingly little is said or done about how a decline in population might affect birdsongs, which in turn will further endanger the birds. Is there a case to build an archive of birdsongs before it is too late? This makes for fascinating study, and might also help conservation efforts in the future.

G. Bhattacharjee,
Calcutta

Blow with the wind

Sir — In West Bengal, workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party are protesting against their own organization — what a bizarre situation for a political party to be in. It is not surprising, though, given how the BJP has distributed tickets to defectors from other parties instead of rewarding its own party workers for their loyalty. If anything, this should serve as an eye opener for all political parties. Over the years we have seen how elected representatives dump the party from which they are elected and join another party or the ruling party, even bringing down elected governments, through defections. Needless to say, this is not good for a democracy. Turncoats will be turncoats, no matter which party they may belong to. Building a ‘Sonar Bangla’ is fine, but can we trust turncoats to do that?

Melville X. D’Souza,
Mumbai

Sir — The grass-root workers of both the BJP and the Trinamul Congress have been denied tickets, while high-ranking leaders and turncoats have been rewarded for their corrupt ways. Party bosses always consider the grass-root workers as those meant to serve party leaders, and as such, unworthy of being nominated for elections. But the top leadership should not forget that each of their victories comes from the tremendous hard work and sacrifice of the party’s rank and file. These tireless soldiers work day in and out and even risk their lives to make the party successful, but the fruits of the gain are eaten by the top leadership.

Now, there is also a new class of people who stand between the grass-roots workers and a taste of political success — these are the celebrities. Both the BJP and the TMC are firm in their belief that star power can win seats and as such have generously doled out tickets to celebrities. But are the celebrities really close to people on the ground? As far as turncoats are concerned, they have switched parties just to ensure they stay in power and their pockets remain lined. They do not care about serving the people.

Mrinal Kanti Kundu,
Howrah

Sir — A large number of politicians have been flocking to the BJP recently. However, this seems to have created a problem for the BJP. Unhappy with assembly election nominations being handed out to the new entrants —particularly those from the Trinamul Congress — the BJP’s old guard is expressing discontent in inconvenient ways. Some angry supporters ransacked the party’s office, one party worker also reportedly attempted suicide fearing that a former TMC strongman who recently joined the BJP may get a ticket. Meanwhile, several BJP leaders threatened to contest as independents against the party’s official candidates.

It is true that ticket distribution always causes heartburn for certain party workers. But the BJP’s poll campaign focuses on highlighting corruption and syndicate raj under the Mamata Banerjee-led government. Thus the TMC turncoats getting preference over the party’s old-timers can undermine the BJP’s message of paribartan.

Khokan Das,
Calcutta

Sir — The huge number of turncoats once again proves that politics is nothing but a power game in India. A party’s manifesto does not matter; it is ideologues and the selfish politicians who define Indian politics. As far as Bengal is concerned, the political weather is changing rapidly. Yet, with each change people are making it clear that internally disbalanced parties do not have a chance in the upcoming elections.

Suranjana Mitra,
Calcutta