Friendly neck
Sir — There is a saying in Bengali that is used to describe really close friends: ‘golay golay bondhu’. Technology seems to have taken this phrase quite literally. An innovator has come up with an Artificial Intelligence pendant titled ‘Friend’ that can be worn around one’s neck at all times. The device acts as one’s trusted ally, collecting information and offering insights, not to mention ensuring that one never goes without company. Constant companionship is something human friends are often not able to provide. However, even the best of friends fight. In such a case, when the wearer and the AI Friend are at each other’s throats, so to speak, the wearer can simply take the pendant off. This effectively does away with the hassle of having to placate an aggrieved friend.
Debanjana Nandi, Calcutta
Personal attack
Sir — The former president of the United States of America and the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, recently questioned the racial identity of the American vice-president and his opponent, Kamala Harris, suggesting that she happened to “turn Black” for political gains (“Hope rises”, Aug 6). Trump’s viewpoint is steeped in misogyny and bigotry and is reflective of his toxic personality. Ever since Harris announced her candidature for the presidential polls, Trump has referred to her as a “bum”, mocked her in public, and attacked her biracial identity.
Harris proudly owns both her Black and South Asian lineages, thereby epitomising the melting pot of American society. She is the best hope for ensuring equity and inclusivity — aspects that are gradually disappearing from US politics. Trump’s inflammatory jibes will alienate voters and help Harris emerge as the winner.
G. David Milton, Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
Sir — Donald Trump’s remarks against Kamala Harris’s racial identity were in poor taste (“Trump questions Harris’ identity as Black person”, Aug 2). Political leaders should refrain from making such derogatory comments. Trump’s remarks hark back to the discriminatory comments that M.K. Gandhi had to endure in South Africa.
Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali
Sir — The Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, is leading against the former president and Republican candidate, Donald Trump, by three points according to a recent poll. Since Joe Biden’s disastrous performance against Trump in the presidential debate — it led to the former opting out of the race for presidency and nominating Harris in his place — the Democratic Party has made a miraculous comeback. The nomination of Harris as the Democratic candidate has put Trump’s campaign on the defensive, prompting him to make nervous comments in the media.
Jang Bahadur Singh, Jamshedpur
Sir — Trump invoking Kamala Harris’s mixed racial identity in a room full of African-American journalists was abhorrent. His comment against Harris reveals that Trump has a scant understanding of race and ethnicity.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Grave omission
Sir — The Preamble to the Constitution is an appropriate synopsis of that sacred document. It highlights the chief values enshrined in the Constitution as well as their objectives. It is thus upsetting that the Preamble has been dropped from several Class III and Class VI textbooks issued by the National Council for Educational Research and Training this year (“Axe falls on Preamble on school textbooks”, Aug 5). This is a prejudicial step meant to deprive students of knowledge about constitutional principles.
Sunil Chopra, Ludhiana
Sir — The dropping of the Preamble to the Constitution from certain NCERT textbooks will leave the youth’s education incomplete. It is a grave error committed by the NCERT and indicates its disregard for holistic education.
Murtaza Ahmad, Calcutta
Gaps remain
Sir — For more than a decade now, India has been failing the monsoon test. There are at least three things that are common to the flood-related woes of Indian cities: outdated drainage systems that cannot take the stress of more than normal rainfall, planning that does not account for local hydrology and civic agencies whose role seems limited to organising relief and rescue. There has also been very little conversation on institutional mechanisms to make Indian cities climate resilient. Flood-related damage can be reduced if early alert systems are put in place.
Avinash Sahni, Calcutta
Lost sheen
Sir — In his article, “Diminished spectacle” (Aug 4), Mukul Kesavan rued that the Olympic Games are not what they used to be. While I respect Kesvan’s opinion, I have a reservation about his statement, “... in a world where sporting spectacle is constantly available online, the standalone splendour of the Olympics no longer exists.” The Olympics are still significant not only for viewers across the world but also for host countries and participants who work tremendously hard for four years to be included in their national contingents. Almost all nations are now represented in the Games. At a time when wars have left thousands of people as refugees, the introduction of the Refugee Olympic Team ensures that those participants separated from their homelands also get to compete.
Goutam Narayan Deb, Calcutta
Sir — I beg to differ with Mukul Kesavan on his argument that the Olympic Games have lost their sheen. The Olympics are at the apex of all sporting events. A sportsperson may be a world champion but that success appears to be incomplete without an Olympic medal. The splendour of the Olympics cannot be dimmed.
Amit Brahmo, Calcutta
