Filter out
Sir — The sound of munching on nachos provides a sensory experience. However, the ‘acoustics’ may be annoying for those in the vicinity of the person savouring the crispy snacks. An Artificial Intelligence-powered software called Doritos Silent now aims to remove this sound of chewing on online platforms involving the use of headphones and is particularly designed for gamers who spend hours on multiplayer video games. If only there was a device that could mute the drivel of political leaders who make lofty promises on climate change but inevitably fail to act on them.
Dikshya Banik, Calcutta
Serious charges
Sir — The report, “Stink on India ‘hit job’ erupts in US court” (Nov 30), read like a James Bond spy novel with all its thrilling plot points. A recent indictment in a district court in the United States of America, mentioning an Indian national who was involved in the assassination plot against a Khalistani activist on American soil, was an exposé that was substantiated by adequate analysis and newspaper reports.
The multiple threads that have been mentioned in the report — the ‘Gujarat connection’ of Nikhil Gupta, one of the accused involved in the assassination plot, his meeting with an Indian government employee in New Delhi for furtherance of the plot and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June in Vancouver — must be connected to reveal the comprehensive nature of the crime and bring the perpetrators to book. The Indian government must conduct a thorough investigation into the matter to clear itself of the worrying accusations.
K. Nehru Patnaik, Visakhapatnam
Sir — The ties between India and the US have reached a controversial point. An upsurge in tensions at the diplomatic level after a direct accusation brought against the Indian government of being involved in an assassination plot is proof of this. The arrest of the Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, from the Czech Republic for being involved in the conspiracy shows that the matter has gone out of hand.
Both the US and Canada have seen an increase in Khalistani activism in recent years. The ministry of external affairs must initiate dialogue with both countries to subdue the tensions. A high-level committee needs to be set up to probe allegations and identify the nexus between organised criminals and the State. Diplomacy is the key to stabilising any volatile situation. World leaders should understand this.
Dimple Wadhawan, Kanpur
Sir — Allegations made in a court indictment in the US against the Indian government of being involved in an assassination plot on American soil are a classic case of ‘the pot calling the kettle back’. Similar charges have been brought against the US government in the past.
It must be noted that the Khalistani terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, whose murder plot the US is accusing India of being a part of, recently threatened to attack Air India flights. The US should handle the matter more cautiously and see to it that its ties with India do not aggravate.
Minashu Masta, Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh
Under threat
Sir — In “The other war” (Nov 29), Uddalak Mukherjee analyses the concerted efforts by Israel to destroy Palestine’s ecology. The Jewish past as the victims of the Holocaust may have formed the ground for Israel’s present role as the aggressor.
However, this should not amount to justification for Israel’s heinous acts against Palestine. The accompanying photograph of the piece that showed a Palestinian woman shielding an olive tree was appropriate.
Sanjit Ghatak, South 24 Parganas
Sir — It is horrendous that apart from its conventional military aggression against Palestine, Israel has been waging a different kind of war on Palestinian lands in the form of ecocide. Israel has been destroying Palestine’s ecology, including the indigenous flora. This has transformed Palestine’s climatic conditions, making it more arid and prone to droughts. The terrestrial terrorism being carried out by Israel must be condemned.
Sukhendu Bhattacharjee, Hooghly
Fair warning
Sir — The Supreme Court’s warning to Patanjali Ayurved against publishing misleading claims and advertisements against modern systems of medicine is welcome. The co-founder of Patanjali and yoga guru, Ramdev, has criticised allopathy and allopathic practitioners and maintained that people should resort to ayurvedic cures for diseases such as diabetes and cancer. This is not only a threat to public health but is also detrimental to the scientific temper.
Shovanlal Chakraborty, Calcutta
Tainted legacy
Sir — Henry Kissinger, the American diplomat who played a seminal role in negotiating a ceasefire in Vietnam in 1973, is no more. Though Kissinger remained a towering figure in foreign policy, he left behind a chequered legacy that includes allegations of war crimes and violation of human rights.
M. Jeyaram, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
