Secret weapon
Sir — From Egyptian queens painting their lips with red rouge to the Church declaring red lips as a sign of evil to suffragettes reclaiming the lipstick shade to protest against male domination, red lipstick has been an enduring symbol of feminine beauty and defiance. Significantly, archaeologists have discovered the oldest physical form of lipstick from Iran dating back to around 1900 BC. This is ironic because Iranian laws still prohibit women from wearing make-up. It is hoped that Iran’s historical legacy as the first user of lipstick will empower women to rebel against the misogynistic policies of the Islamic regime.
Sujata Bakshi, Calcutta
Personal affair
Sir — Religion is a personal matter (“Matters of faith”, Mar 12). People belonging to different religions, castes, and creeds have coexisted peacefully in India for centuries. Some stray incidents from public life exemplify this communal harmony — when a frail old man braved a deluge to provide monetary relief to an unknown, dying woman lying at the gates of Calcutta Municipal Corporation headquarters (“Who we speak to”, Nov 8, 2023); when a few passers-by rushed to help a cyclist who had fallen off his bicycle and lay unconscious at a Calcutta crossing at the height of the second wave of Covid-19 which mandated social distancing (“At worst of times, the best in some of us”, May 23, 2021); when a group of Muslim villagers carried the corpse of their Hindu neighbour to the crematorium; when a Hindu family arranged an iftar event for Kashmiri Muslims who were stranded during the Covid-19 lockdown.
However, sectarian divisions have been plaguing India and the world. Humanity should rise above such narrow notions and strive for unity.
Kajal Chatterjee, Calcutta
Sir — The mixing of politics with religion in India, perpetrated by the ruling dispensation, is fomenting communal tensions. This is manifested in the form of hate speeches against minority communities made by those harbouring majoritarian sentiments. The Supreme Court had rightly observed that people would stop making hate speeches only if politics and religion were segregated. India is gradually descending into a theocracy. A modern progressive nation like India should arrest this worrying trend and uphold its secular credentials.
Sujit De, Calcutta
Sky is the limit
Sir — The scientists at the Defence Research and Development Organisation must be congratulated for successfully conducting the first flight test of a version of the indigenously developed Agni-5 missile (“India test-fires homegrown missile”, Mar 12). Equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle technology, the Agni-5 missile has been designed to simultaneously drop multiple warheads on distant targets. This attests to India’s advanced defence infrastructure. However, the success of DRDO’s scientists should not be hijacked by the ruling regime. DRDO’s success story should be included in school textbooks so that students are aware of India’s defence achievements.
Rupam Guha, Calcutta
Sir — The successful test-firing of the Agni-5 missile adds yet another feather to DRDO’s cap. The Agni-5 missile has been developed indigenously and is proof of India’s robust defence infrastructure. With this, India joins an elite list of countries, including nuclear powers like the United States of America and Russia. India’s strides in defence technology will alarm Pakistan and China.
N.R. Ramachandran, Chennai
Two faces
Sir — During his tenure as the president of the United States of America, Donald Trump signed an executive order — it was later struck down by a federal court — banning the Chinese social media app, TikTok, unless it was acquired by an American company. Now elected as the Republican nominee for the presidential elections, Trump has opposed a congressional legislation that aims to ban the social media platform, arguing that children love the platform. This change of stance exposes his double standards. Trump’s support for TikTok coincides with his recent meeting with a Republican donor who has invested in TikTok. Trump’s U-turn can dent his prospects in the election.
Jang Bahadur Singh, Jamshedpur
Hollow claim
Sir — It is baffling that China has objected to the recent visit of the prime minister, Narendra Modi, to Arunachal Pradesh. New Delhi does not comment on Beijing’s internal affairs. China thus has no business commenting about the Indian prime minister’s visit to any part of Indian territory. China’s objection stems from its problematic claim on certain parts of Arunachal Pradesh. China must realise that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable part of India.
Kirti Wadhawan, Kanpur
Sir — The Union government has strongly rejected China’s objection to Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. India should be more vocal about its territorial integrity.
Debdyuti Kar, North 24 Parganas
