Women’s history

Sir — In Greek legend, the Amazons were formidable female warriors living at the world’s edge. While one might be reluctant to take myths about this nomadic tribe seriously, archaeologists have now found proof that such weapon-wielding women did exist. Excavations of graves in a Bronze Age city in Azerbaijan revealed that women had been buried with weapons such as a bronze dagger and a mace. Experts have concluded that they could have been Amazonian women who lived around 4,000 years ago. Historically, while men were at war, women had to step up to do jobs both within and outisde the home. Perhaps such discoveries will lead men who claim that a woman’s ‘natural’ role is to perform domestic duties to rethink their stance.

Sonia Chandra, Calcutta

Just demand

Sir — The Trinamul Congress leader, Mahua Moitra, has rightly demanded that the Election Commission of India set a framework for the Central agencies probing her case while the model code of conduct is in place (“Mahua seeks CBI leash”, Mar 25). The raids at four properties used by Moitra indicate that the Central Bureau of Investigation wants to harass the former member of Parliament. The Bharatiya Janata Party government wants Moitra to remain engaged in the probes to prevent her from asking unpleasant questions before the general elections. One hopes that the voters are aware of these manipulations.

Arun Gupta, Calcutta

Sir — The CBI seems to have been unable to find any evidence to substantiate the charges against Mahua Moitra in spite of numerous raids on properties associated with the leader (“CBI officials find nothing on Mahua premises”, Mar 24). Moitra is known for her strong stance against the Narendra Modi’s involvement with the Adani Group. The BJP is trying to divert the attention of a discontented populace. It wants to stop Moitra from campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections and malign her.

S.S. Paul, Nadia

Sir — Mahua Moitra has asked the ECI for guidelines regarding the investigation against her by the CBI. Moitra’s demand for transparency is crucial to democracy.

Fakhrul Alam, Calcutta

Curative verdict

Sir — The Supreme Court’s directive to the Centre to ensure the implementation of the Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Rules, which would provide affordable medical care to those who need it, is laudable. There is considerable discrepancy in the costs of treatment across various private hospitals. The court has warned that it would consider implementing standardised rates if the government failed to find a solution to this problem. The private healthcare industry has a nexus with political parties and the government’s ineptitude regarding implementing strict rules is proof of this. Hopefully, the court’s directive will change the situation.

Shovanlal Chakraborty, Calcutta

New beginning

Sir — The students of Jawaharlal Nehru University have elected Dhananjay as
their first Dalit president for the students’ union in 25 years (“First Dalit JNUSU head in 25 years”, Mar 26). Could the vanquishing of the right-wing in JNU be a curtain-raiser for the Lok Sabha election? Anything is possible in Indian politics.

N. Mahadevan, Chennai

Fruits of labour

Sir — The Bollywood actor, Kangana Ranaut, is finally reaping the benefits of pandering to the Bharatiya Janata Party as the saffron party has announced her candidature in the Lok Sabha elections (“BJP picks new, punches old”, Mar 25). While this has helped her secure a toehold in politics, she needs to work for the betterment of the people to prove her mettle if she is elected. Her statements regarding India achieving independence only after 2014 raise doubts regarding her sincerity.

Piyush Somani, Guwahati

Go the extra mile

Sir — The fact that a mayoral council member, Debasish Kumar, and the chief engineer of Calcutta Municipal Corporation’s drainage department, Santanu Ghosh, inspected the underground sewer’s desilting process personally by walking through the five-feet-wide underground pipe is commendable (“A walk through underground sewer once clogged with silt”, Mar 25). This will surely motivate other CMC employees to go the extra mile for their jobs.

Hemanta Sasmal, Howrah

Choked city

Sir — Guwahati has been declared the second-most polluted city in the world. This is disappointing. Unchecked construction has polluted the city’s air. The Guwahati Municipal Corporation has also failed to conduct regular and adequate cleaning drives, resulting in flash floods. The chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, must aim for long-term improvements instead of offering quick fixes. It is of utmost importance that the government work towards preserving Guwahati’s biodiversity.

A.K. Chakraborty, Guwahati

Colourless time

Sir — Although tourists from across West Bengal went to Santiniketan to celebrate Holi, the traditional Basanta Utsav did not take place there this year. This is unfortunate. One hopes that the Visva-Bharati authorities will organise the festival of colours in the upcoming years. This is an immensely popular event for Bengalis.

Sourish Misra, Calcutta