Hidden malady
Sir — The smartphone revolution has made the device easily accessible to large parts of the population. People who could not afford to buy smartphones even a decade ago are now spoilt for choice with cheaper handsets from China flooding the market. But buying such phones can be risky. A recent study conducted by researchers in the United Kingdom revealed that most Android smartphones made by Chinese companies have pre-installed applications that transmit private data to third parties. It seems that, for once, the saffron ecosystem’s diatribes against China have proved to be a blessing in disguise.
Ramesh Karunamurthy,Chennai
Stir up a storm
Sir — It is disheartening to see the Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, repeatedly belittle the prime minister, Narendra Modi, on his trips to Western countries (“Rahul pricks mediocrity of ‘know-it-all’”, Jun 1). His remarks mocking Modi’s international popularity prove his naiveté. His comments making fun of the ceremony to instal the sengol inside the new Lok Sabha chamber can also be construed as an insult to Hindus. These immature remarks will surely hurt him if he has ambitions of being the next prime minister of India in 2024.
Mihir Kanungo,Calcutta
Sir — Rahul Gandhi rarely misses an opportunity to hit out at Narendra Modi during his foreign tours. However, his observation about the discrimination faced by minorities in India today deserves attention. When wealthy and influential people are accused of committing crimes in India, they receive support from the government — the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, is an example. However, even a minor offence by a Muslim is met with the harshest of punishments. Perhaps the ruling dispensation is alarmed that Rahul Gandhi highlighted the plight of minority communities during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Taukir Rahmani,Mumbai
Sir — Rahul Gandhi’s jibes against the prime minister on foreign soil have invited criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party leaders (“BJP: Rahul spreading pessimism”, Jun 2). His remarks hardly seem worse than the personal insults against the Nehru-Gandhi family that Narendra Modi has doled out in the past. The BJP should not make a mountain out of a molehill.
Muzakkir Khan,Mumbai
Cheerful news
Sir — It is heartening that the Indian economy grew by 6.1% in the January-March 2023 quarter to end the financial year at Rs 43.6 lakh crore (“Q4 growth rises to 6.1%”, Jun 1). This established India’s position as a standout performer amidst a global economic downturn owing to the Russia-Ukraine war.
However, private consumption seems to have stagnated with a quarterly growth rate of only 2.8%. The Reserve Bank of India should avoid any further increase in interest rates to promote private-sector consumption.
Khokan Das,Calcutta
Sir — The growth numbers for Q4 of the financial year 2022-23 are a pleasant surprise. It indicates a strong revival in India’s economy despite dire predictions earlier. Significant expansion in the agriculture and the manufacturing sectors has stimulated the economy. But the Union government should remain watchful of global trends.
N. Sadhasiva Reddy,Washington, US
Forked tongue
Sir — It is sad that the Centre has decided to discontinue two popular awards for works in Hindi, including the 60-year-old Hinditar Bhashi Hindi Lekhak Puraskar (“Tongue-tied”, Jun 1). What is doubly bewildering is that the order has been issued by the home ministry, which is headed by Amit Shah, a known proponent of Hindi.
S.S. Paul,Nadia
