No time to waste
Sir — There aren’t enough hours in the day — this is a common lament among the chronically busy. There is finally good news for them. Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that as the Moon drifts away from the Earth, it will impact the latter’s rotation, leading to 25-hour days, albeit millions of years from now. But what will humans — if the planet survives the onslaught of climate change till then — do with that extra hour? Having an extra hour in a day will be a waste of time if it is taken up by the chores that already crowd the rest of the 24 existing hours.
Poonam Mahajan, Calcutta
Unsafe city
Sir — The rape and murder of a young doctor within the premises of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital has rightly shaken our trust in the law-and-order situation in West Bengal (“Doctors erupt in shocked city, civic cop in murder net”, Aug 11). The healthcare administration in the state must take responsibility for such a colossal failure in security within a super-speciality government hospital. If the hospital premises were adequately covered by CCTV cameras, the offender would not have dared to enter the hospital. The chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, who has also held the health portfolio since the beginning of her tenure, cannot escape the blame either. As someone already burdened with running a state, she should not take the additional responsibility of an important portfolio like health. A competent, full-time health minister must be appointed in the state.
While the outrage of doctors is understandable, it is sad that countless innocent patients are suffering because doctors across Bengal have gone on strike to demand justice for their slain colleague. Holding helpless patients hostage
by denying them treatment is not right.
Kunal Saha, Ohio, US
Sir — Sanjay Roy, the Kolkata Police civic volunteer accused of raping and killing a young doctor in a Calcutta hospital, allegedly had easy access to the premises because of his professional posting. This raises questions about the locus standi of such civic volunteers. Are they inducted after adequate background checks? Such rogue civic volunteers pose a threat to society.
Sukhendu Bhattacharjee, Hooghly
Sir — The violent nature of the rape and murder of a young doctor in Calcutta shakes us to the core. The question is not only about the crime but also the role of the State in creating such an unfortunate situation. Employment of civic personnel should be done with extreme caution, especially when it is in hospitals, schools and in the police force. The measures of safety in professional spaces, especially for women, demand urgent attention. This incident is an example of what happens when the State fails its citizens.
Antara Ghatak, Calcutta
Sir — It is horrifying that a doctor was attacked and killed inside a hospital, which is supposed to be a safe space. What is worse, many have blamed the woman for not being careful. It is shocking that a woman is being blamed for staying out too late when she had night duty in the hospital. It scares me to know just how unsafe we are inside our own campuses.
Arundhati Das, Calcutta
Divided nation
Sir — The grief over the murder of three girls and injury to 10 others at a dance class in Southport in the United Kingdom has been compounded by events that have taken place in the country since. As rumours about the attacker cascaded online, hundreds of far-Right zealots set upon the quiet coastal town, hurling bricks at the local mosque, putting vehicles on fire and assaulting the police. The rioting across several towns has painted a picture of havoc and dismay. The violence has set up the first real test for the newly elected government led by Keir Starmer. The prime minister needs to reassure the public with decisive action.
That said, the best of Britain was also on display with grief-stricken residents being vocal that the mischief-makers did not speak for them. The image of resolute Southport residents helping to recast the wall outside the mosque the day after the damage was inflicted comes to mind. Those residents embodied the true qualities of English citizens: tolerance, empathy and decency.
Tathagata Sanyal, Birmingham, UK
Precarious dip
Sir — The Indian stock markets tanked recently. The immediate trigger for the drop is external — there are growing concerns over the economy of the United States of America, with recent employment numbers coming in significantly below expectations. The question is whether this is just a temporary hiccup.
Sunil Chopra, Ludhiana
Dream on
Sir — Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will be stuck in space till February 2025. Imagine if they had been ordinary, untrained tourists instead of being actual astronauts. Dreams of space tourism are still fantastical.
Avinash Sahni, Calcutta
