Life experience

Sir — Career breaks are usually frowned upon by recruiters. But with millions of people dropping out of the workforce during the pandemic, résumés have begun to feature more gaps than before, leading to increased career-related anxieties. Hearteningly, an Indian woman recently justified a 13-year gap in her employment history by listing her expertise as a homemaker — a full-time job with hardly any compensation or leave. Drawing attention to a role that routinely goes unrecognised not just makes her stand out but also shows that honesty is perhaps the best policy when it comes to seeking employment.

Deepika Bindra, Lucknow

Absent leader

Sir — The prime minister, Narendra Modi, was conspicuous by his absence from the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha which was brought about by the Opposition to discuss critical issues plaguing the country (“Silent & absent”, Aug 9). The misgovernance of the Modi-led dispensation has adversely impacted the country, denting its global standing. Instead of deliberating on the ongoing communal conflagration in Manipur in Parliament, the leaders of the ruling party have been either maintaining silence or engaging in whataboutery. This is unfortunate.

Governments are constitutionally accountable for their actions. People should not be hoodwinked by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s chicanery of using security threats and surgical strikes to deflect attention from serious problems.

Aayman Anwar Ali, Calcutta

Sir — Although Narendra Modi is vocal during his foreign visits, he keeps mum in his own country, howsoever critical the domestic situation might be. The news report, “Silent & absent”, aptly lists Modi’s governance ‘credentials’ in the past nine years
which are proof of his shortcomings as the nation’s leader.

The prime minister’s decision to go mute in the face of the Opposition’s questions regarding burning issues highlights his authoritarian style of functioning and his apathy to people’s sufferings. This begs the question: how long will people continue to elect such haughty leaders?

Arun Gupta, Calcutta

Saving grace

Sir — It is reassuring that the Supreme Court has always been proactive in curbing hate speeches by pulling up governments and law enforcement from time to time (“Hear no evil”, Aug 9). In April, the top court had directed all states and Union territories to take suo motu action against hate remarks, which tarnish the secular image of the country. Strict and pre-emptive measures against hate mongers could have prevented the communal violence in Haryana.

Several political leaders have also been accused of making hate speeches. Action must be taken against them.

Jahangir Ali, Mumbai

Sir — In the run-up to the 2024 general elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will bank on its usual tactics of religious polarisation and majoritarianism to reap electoral dividends. Several leaders of the saffron party will be seen delivering hate speeches during election campaigns that will blatantly be supported by the ‘godi media’.

It is thus encouraging that the faculty members of the Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru, have appealed to corporate houses to stop disbursing funds to those media organisations that have been spreading hatred between communities (“Appeal to firms: Don’t give ads to hate media”, Aug 9). Corporate houses should heed the request to ensure peace in the country.

Kamal Laddha, Bengaluru

Erratic monsoon

Sir — Even though the arrival of the monsoon was delayed this year, the trajectory of the annual rains has been somewhat lopsided. While North and Central India were ravaged by torrential downpours, eastern and southern parts received less than sufficient rainfall.

These aberrations will have implications on both kharif and rabi crops. This will, in turn, impact inflationary trends. The vagaries of the monsoon should provide important lessons for tailoring policies accordingly.

Tauqueer Rahmani, Mumbai

Deep bias

Sir — A father of four daughters recently kidnapped a four-year-old boy from the waiting area of a railway station in Maharashtra in a desperate attempt to have a son. This speaks of the bias towards the male child that is deeply ingrained in our social system. Parents usually expect sons to support them in their old age. Society should invest more in girls’ education to eradicate gender inequality.

Sudhir Kangutkar, Thane

Parting shot

Sir — Football fans have been waiting impatiently for the face-off between the two arch-rivals, Emami East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, on August 12 in a Durand Cup match (“Derby tickets go on sale today”, Aug 10). It is expected that the Salt Lake Stadium will be packed to capacity for the season’s first derby.

Sourish Misra, Calcutta