All that glitters
Sir — The adage, ‘diamond in the rough’, may not just apply to talented people who lack refinement. The Crater of Diamonds State Park in the United States of America, which has regularly yielded gemstones of various shapes and sizes to intrepid explorers willing to root around in the dirt, was the source of a precious discovery for Jerry Evans a few months ago. He picked up what he thought was a jellybean-sized piece of glass but it turned out to be an over four-carat diamond on scientific verification. The incident shows that mundane experiences in our lives may also yield similarly priceless results.
Ajay Nagarkar, Mumbai
Lift the veil
Sir — The announcement by the chief minister of Karnataka, P.C. Siddaramaiah, that the state was considering lifting the hijab ban in educational institutions in the state is welcome (“‘Why should I come in the way?’ Sidda lifts school hijab ban”, Dec 23). Siddaramaiah has rightly stated that the kind of dress one wants to wear is a personal choice.
The hijab row first erupted in January last year when some students from a government-run college in Udupi alleged that they had been barred from entering the college premises wearing the hijab. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court. A favourable judgment may finally allow the focus to shift back to academics.
Khokan Das, Calcutta
Sir — The Karnataka government’s announcement that it will consider withdrawing an executive order that bans Muslim girls from wearing the hijab inside classrooms in the state has serious political implications. India is a diverse country known for its rich cultural heritage. All citizens have been granted the fundamental right to follow their faith. Imposing restrictions upon religious expression thus damages that egalitarianism.
Tauqeer Rahmani, Mumbai
Grey trade
Sir — A flight bound for Nicaragua from Dubai carrying 303 Indian passengers was grounded at the Vatry airport in France on suspicions of human trafficking (“France grounds aircraft with 300 Indians”, Dec 23). French authorities took swift action against the Romanian charter company, Legend Airlines, which operated the flight. The passengers have been transferred to the reception hall of the airport, where individual beds have been arranged for them. It is heartening that India has been granted consular access to the passengers. The incident should be investigated with urgency while ensuring the well-being of the passengers.
Bhagwan Thadani, Mumbai
Sir — The news about the alleged trafficking of around 300 individuals from Dubai to South America via France is disquieting. Human trafficking is a global problem. Indentured labour, sexual slavery and organ harvesting are some of the reasons for which humans are trafficked. Not only does it involve violence and deception but it also robs victims of their dignity. Global cooperation is necessary to combat the issue effectively. Stricter punishments should be meted out to those engaged in human trafficking.
Dhananjay Sinha, Calcutta
Roads blocked
Sir — Civilians on all sides bear the brunt of vicious wars. They are forced to flee and seek asylum in other countries, braving several hazards. European nations are usually the chosen destination of many asylum seekers. The European Union’s recent decision to implement a stricter immigration policy will thus come as a body blow for refugees (“Shut the door”, Dec 23). While the EU cannot be faulted for prioritising its own interests, it should also adopt a compassionate approach towards those escaping various humanitarian crises.
Sanjit Ghatak, South 24 Parganas
Violence rules
Sir — Asim Ali’s article, “Baser instinct” (Dec 23), was an interesting read. Directors like Sandeep Reddy Vanga promote toxic misogyny to ride the current wave of sexism and communalism. Vanga has emerged as the prophet of ape-brained masculinity. The opening sequence of Animal is reminiscent of the scene from Stanley Kubrick’s film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, which shows some apes beating up another tribe of monkeys to gain control over a watering hole. Both illustrate humanity’s propensity for violence, though Vanga’s portrayal of this brutish, universal theme is more crude.
Dyutiman Bhattacharya, Cooch Behar
Historic crater
Sir — Estimates about the fourth meteorite impact crater in the country in the Kutch region of Gujarat have now been confirmed on the basis of detailed scientific surveys (“In Kutch, imprint of a meteorite crash”, Dec 18). At 6,900 years, it is much younger than the 2,500 million-year-old Dhala impact crater in Madhya Pradesh. Such craters help fill out the gaps in earth’s geological history. Moreover, the tracking of asteroid bodies moving close to the earth’s orbit is a major field of astronomical studies as it may be key to the survival of humans.
Tapes Chandra Lahiri, Calcutta
