Vicious cycle
Sir — Japan, a country known for its ‘996’ work culture — 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week — has now urged its youth to drink alcohol. The encouragement is to boost alcohol sales in the country which have dipped presumably on account of the fact that citizens are too tired to drink. The country’s bid to make more money for a few companies at the cost of public health is not unlike its work culture that pushes people to make money for business at the cost of their own happiness. Fortunately, the two can now go hand in hand. Young people can drown their misery in alcohol before beginning their drudgery the next day.
Esheeta Kundu,Calcutta
Toxic air
Sir — It was distressing to read that Calcutta is the second-worst among the most populous global cities when it comes to exposure to the toxic PM 2.5 pollutants, according to the State of Global Air Report 2022 (“Calcutta second worst in pollution”, Aug 18). Delhi is the worst city in this regard. Notably, India is home to 18 of the 20 cities with the most severe increase in PM 2.5 from 2010 to 2019.
As cities grow, so will the levels of pollution. This underscores the need for urgent interventions in the way cities are developed. Rising air pollution will have a serious impact on human health.Khokan Das,Calcutta Sir — Calcutta has earned the dubious distinction of being declared the second-most polluted populous city in the world. Pollution is causing a spike in serious ailments like asthma and lung cancer. In this context, the government must take a serious look at vehicular pollution in the city. Most public and private buses and taxis can be seen belching out black fumes on the city’s streets with impunity. In spite of repeated orders from the Calcutta High Court and the National Green Tribunal, vehicles much older than 15 years are still plying in the city. Initiating a stringent ban on out-of-date vehicles could seriously reduce air pollution levels in Calcutta. The government must treat the State of Global Air Report 2022 as a wake-up call.
Sanjit Ghatak,Narendrapur
Sidelined
Sir — Nitin Gadkari’s performance as a minister cannot be questioned. Further, his proximity to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has often allowed him to speak freely unlike many of his colleagues. Last year, Gadkari had said that Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee were the two “ideal leaders of Indian democracy”. The exclusion of Gadkari from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s parliamentary board has, thus, not come as a surprise. There is no snubbing Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
R. Narayanan,Navi Mumbai
Take care
Sir — Many cities have witnessed a spurt in viral influenza and respiratory tract infection. Some cases have even required hospitalisation. Since the symptoms of flu and Covid-19 are difficult to tell apart, contracting the former can also become a cause for unnecessary worry. People should take flu and pneumonia vaccines, which can bring down these ailments drastically. Another disease that ails Indians is self-medication and buying antibiotics over the counter. This does more harm than good. People with co-morbidities should be especially careful.
Swati Pandey,Ujjain
Parting shot
Sir — Two photographs in the August 18 edition of The Telegraph — one of an artisan making a Durga idol and the second of the half-constructed pandal at Md Ali Park — reminded readers that Durga Puja is around the corner. If this was not enough, the sight of pujabarshikis appearing in roadside bookstalls has heralded the arrival of the goddess.
Sourish Misra,Calcutta
