Neutered impact
Sir — Overpopulation is a major problem with stray animals. Female cats, for instance, give birth to several litters a year and most of them do not survive without access to adequate nutrition and shelter. Safe neutering is thus a necessity to improve cats’ quality of life. Interestingly, a campaign in the United States of America allowed people to name cats after their former partners before getting them neutered. While it was a massively successful drive, does this campaign not unwittingly imply that neutering is a punishment? This may deter some well-meaning cat parents from getting their pets neutered.
Shreya Biswas,
Calcutta
New face
Sir— The Aam Aadmi Party leader, Atishi, has become the youngest ever chief minister of Delhi (“‘Sorrowful’ Atishi becomes CM”, Sept 18). Being highly educated and having held 14 portfolios in the erstwhile Arvind Kejriwal government, Atishi is expected to understand the problems faced by the people of Delhi. Her decisions over the next four months are crucial for the AAP in the upcoming assembly elections. If the AAP returns to power, it will thwart the Bharatiya Janata Party’s plans. Kejriwal remaining behind the scene could save his party.
M.C. Vijay Shankar,
Chennai
Sir — Regardless of whether Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to resign as the chief minister of Delhi and the elevation of Atishi to the post is a political ploy, the AAP cannot ignore the increasing despair in the national capital. The primary reason for this is that governance has taken a back seat owing to constant face-offs between the Delhi government on one side and the lieutenant-governor and the Centre on the other. Atishi has her task cut out for her if she is to give direction to this floundering government.
M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
Sir— Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation is a bold gamble, echoing his 2014 move that had secured a historic win for the AAP. He has reframed the upcoming assembly elections as a referendum on his integrity and positioned himself as a victim of political vendetta in the hope that this will resonate with voters fatigued by partisan bickering. Yet, the AAP’s waning popularity and mounting challenges in governance make this a risky play. Kejriwal’s fate now hinges on whether Delhi’s voters still see him as the anti-corruption crusader they once embraced or as a leader whose time may have run out.
S.S. Paul,
Nadia
Sir— Atishi has become the third woman chief minister of New Delhi after Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dixit. She is a trusted figure who has been with the AAP since its inception and her ascension to the chief minister’s chair might improve the AAP’s odds of winning. But Atishi does not have much time on her hands to prove herself.
Kirti Wadhawan,
Kanpur
Sir — Atishi started her career as an adviser to the former deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, and won accolades for the transformation of government school education in Delhi. Her task now is to keep the chief ministerial chair warm for Arvind Kejriwal, who is out on bail and thus unable to carry out his duties. Atishi has the responsibility of stabilising the government and ensuring the AAP’s victory in the assembly elections. She must also protect herself against political threats.
Khokan Das,
Calcutta
Risky step
Sir— The grant of preliminary consent for 885 additional quarries in Kerala highlights a disturbing trend of prioritising short-term economic gains over environmental sustainability. The devastating landslide in Wayanad is a cautionary tale against unchecked quarrying. The government should to reassess its approach.
K.A. Solaman,
Alappuzah, Kerala
