Midnight munchies
Sir — There are many reasons for Indians to lose sleep — inflation, unemployment, poverty, majoritarianism and so on. Instead, Indians are reportedly losing sleep because delivery apps like Swiggy, Zomato, and Dunzo are helping people cater to their late-night whims and cravings. Food, groceries, and even alcohol are all just a few taps away — around the clock, every day. Experts claim that if we eat late, our bodies are less prepared to fall asleep. Staying up for too long, however, can lead one to feel hungry again, thus spawning a vicious cycle which is benefitting none but the capitalists.
Sneha Chowdhury, Calcutta
News hounds
Sir — Narendra Modi has always had a love-hate relationship with the media. While he has exploited the media to his advantage, he has also been backed into a corner by them occasionally — no one can forget him nervously asking for a glass of water at an interview with Karan Thapar. He thus avoids press conferences and any situation where he can be questioned like the plague. Unfortunately, he was forced to face a press conference during his trip to the United States of America. As usual, the questions of discrimination against Muslims were posed and he looked visibly distraught. The Indian media should learn from the US press and ask the prime minister more probing questions.
Muzakkir Khan, Mumbai
Sir — It is surprising that Narendra Modi chose to address a press conference in the US. Perhaps he was forced to do so because that is standard protocol in America. But his discomfort at being asked about religious discrimination under his reign was obvious. His spiel thereafter, about democracy being “in our veins”, fooled none.
V. Kunnath, Bengaluru
Sir — The report, “Between the lines of PM’s ‘pressed’ conference” (June 24), made an excellent point. Even though the Murdoch family, which runs The Wall Street Journal, attended the State dinner held in honour of the Indian prime minister, a reporter from the newspaper was not afraid to ask Narendra Modi a pointed question. This has always been the marker of good journalism — business should stay out of the editorial’s business. But in India, business and editorial have become entangled and the survival of a newspaper now depends on its editorial stance.
Shreya Basu, Nainital
Sir — It is a matter of great shame that the US journalist who asked Narendra Modi about religious discrimination in India is being harassed and bullied online. But it is not as easy to make the US press cower. In fact, it only shows India in a poor light.
Rahul Agarwal, Mumbai
Justice denied
Sir — A father and son — the latter died in prison — who had been sentenced to life imprisonment in a 1995 murder case have been acquitted by the Supreme Court (“Acquitted after 25 years and son’s death”, June 23). The court noted that the police had ante-dated the first information report to implicate the father and son. The judgment is no compensation for the 25 years that the father lost in prison and the son who passed away in jail. The maxim, justice delayed is justice denied, is applicable in this case. Still, the police officers responsible for this should be brought to book.
Jahar Saha, Calcutta
Poor choices
Sir — The cricketing legend, Sunil Gavaskar, is furious with the Board of Control for Cricket in India for excluding Cheteshwar Pujara from the West Indies Test squad. He believes that Pujara should have been given an opportunity. Instead, the selectors opted for young talents like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Gavaskar also criticised the decision to overlook Sarfaraz Khan who has been in excellent form domestically. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, will begin the World Test Championship campaign in the Caribbean on July 12, with Ajinkya Rahane as the deputy skipper.
Amarjeet Kumar, Hazaribag, Jharkhand
Steep flight
Sir — The hike in flight fares post-Covid is yet to stabilise (“Fares soar as flights are fewer, post-Covid”, June 23). After being cooped up during the pandemic, people have been travelling with gusto. Moreover, with airlines like Go First shutting shop and SpiceJet reducing the number of flights, there is now a duopoly in the airline business. The increase in aviation fuel costs owing to the Russia-Ukraine war is also a reason for the exorbitant prices. People travelling for work are facing the brunt of the problems.
Navanil Nath, Calcutta
Charity at home
Sir — It is common practice in the West for the affluent to show their appreciation to their alma mater with substantial donations. But it is a rarity here in India. Nandan Nilekani’s decision to donate Rs 315 crore to the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay should thus set a precedent for other Indians of his ilk.
Anthony Henriques, Mumbai
