Loyal blood

Sir — While the World Health Organization has warned the world about many impending pandemics, the world’s oldest killer — the mosquito — is still at large and wreaking havoc. It is a fact that mosquitoes tend to bite some people more than others. A recent study has shown that mosquitoes are attuned to secretions like carboxylic acid. As a result, food items low in these components but high in eucalyptol can ward off mosquitoes. But research has also found that mosquitoes remain loyal to their ‘favourites’. It seems that a sattvik diet will not be enough for mosquito magnets to dodge past the pesky little buzzers.

Dhruv Khanna,Mumbai

Mixed bag

Sir — The Narendra Modi-led Central government recently completed nine years in office. Modi’s reign as prime minister has been marked by several hits and misses. The government can be credited for having improved India’s ranking on the ease of doing business index, growth of the country’s industrial as well as digital infrastructures, and ushering in crucial reforms such as the goods and services tax. At the same time, its track record in tackling unemployment, inflation and poverty leaves a lot to be desired. Concerningly, the government has underplayed these failures by launching a publicity blitzkrieg.

The Modi government has also pledged that India will be a developed country by 2047. This will remain a pipe dream unless it addresses the current socioeconomic challenges.

M. Jeyaram,Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu

Sir — Narendra Modi’s nine years in power will be remembered for his failures rather than his accomplishments. In the past nine years, people have been forced to struggle with spiralling inflation, unemployment and other hardships owing to the government’s arbitrary decisions, such as demonetisation, GST, Agniveer recruitment and so on. These measures seemed to be instances of ‘jumlebaazi’. In fact, several promises that Modi made before coming to power remain unfulfilled.

Modi’s time in power at the Centre has also been marked by increased attacks on freedom of expression and Islamophobia. These are sure to dent the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prospects in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Abhijit Roy,Jamshedpur

Uphold integrity

Sir — A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a gap of two years before a retired judge of the apex court and the high courts can accept a political appointment (“Petition for 2-year job bar on ex-judges”, May 31). This is a welcome move. Judges tend to feel motivated to pass orders in the government’s favour in the hope of a post-retirement job. This dilutes the independence of the judiciary. The judicial system is already facing a crisis on several fronts. Steps should be taken to bolster people’s faith in the justice system.

Patrali Pradhan,Calcutta

Sir — The petition seeking a two-year gap for a judge to take up political appointments after retirement cited the instances of the former Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, who was appointed a member of the Rajya Sabha and the former apex court judge, S.A. Nazeer, who was appointed the governor of Andhra Pradesh after they retired. But these have not compromised the integrity of the judicial system.

There have been instan­ces where judges have refu­sed offers for political posts — the former Chief Justice of India, M. Hidayatullah, is an example. The authorities must explore other options to uphold the independence of the judiciary.

Amanullah Ansari,Calcutta

Winning streak

Sir — The re-election of the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is significant (“Sultan again”, June 1). The high inflation and other economic woes plaguing the country have failed to dent Erdogan’s popularity. He used his hardline policies to subvert the judiciary and the legislature.

Now that he has been re-elected, Erdogan has his task cut out for not only making Turkey economically stable but also increasing its global clout, especially in the backdrop of the Ukraine war.

D.V.G. Sankararao,Andhra Pradesh

Fractured polity

Sir — The editorial, “Mercenaries” (May 31), was well-argued. India’s fractured polity, marred by opportunism and ideological bankruptcy, has become a fertile ground for political defections. By switching over from the Congress to the Trinamul Congress, the Sagardighi member of the West Bengal legislative assembly, Bayron Biswas, has joined the growing list of political turncoats.

Biswas’s defection will not only mar Congress’s prospects in the panchayat elections but will also impact Opposition unity.

Sudipta Ghosh,Murshidabad

Parting shot

Sir — World Bicycle Day is observed on June 3 every year. People these days prefer to use motor vehicles, which are environmental polluters. Cycles are a gre­ener and cheaper alternative. Cycling also keeps us fit.

Sourav Malik,South 24 Parganas