Indistinct script

Sir — Handwriting is always accorded a great deal of importance in school. It is thus ironic that doctors — highly skilled professionals supposedly at the pinnacle of the pedagogical pyramid — are often known for having poor handwriting. Gautam Mukhopadhyay’s article, “Is your doctor’s prescription legible?” (April 17), correctly highlighted the importance of doctors having legible handwriting. Illegible scribbles might lead chemists to hand out incorrect medication in haphazard doses. What is the use of having studied diligently for so many years if one’s patients are unable to understand the prescription written for them? Perhaps it is for the best, then, that doctors are increasingly adopting electronic prescriptions these days.

Rushati Mondal,Nadia

Hungry hearts

Sir — The chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, will do better to take notice of the affairs of her own party instead of holding the Central government responsible for the Pulwama massacre. Numerous cases have been filed against Trinamul Congress leaders with regard to various scams. It is a crying shame that Banerjee has been unable to curb the wrongdoings of her party members. The responsibility of punishing corrupt politicians does not lie with the judiciary alone.

Amit Brahmo,Calcutta

Sir — It is surprising that Mamata Banerjee has blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party for the arrest of the TMC member of the legislative assembly, Jiban Krishna Saha, by the Central Bureau of Investigation (“TMC MLA Jiban Saha held in job scam case”, April 18). People will not sympathise with her given the number of herparty functionaries who have been implicated in several scams. Even much-publicised measures like ‘Didike Bolo’ had no impact inreducing acts of corruption in the state.

Jahar Saha,Calcutta

Key figures

Sir — The chorus for a caste census has grown too loud for the Centre to dismiss. The Congress has now joined social activists and other political parties in demanding the census (“Cong prods Modi on swift census with caste count”, April 18). Perhaps the Narendra Modi government fears that data from the demographic exercise would reveal glaring caste inequalities and belie its promise of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. Self-styled deshbhakts should understand that the latest caste data are essential for getting rid of inherited disadvantages that the so-called backward castes face.

G. David Milton,Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

Bit player

Sir — The dominance of the United States of America in the Middle East is on the wane (“Sands shift”, April 18). Saudi Arabia was one of the key allies of the US, but the Arab state has now decided to join hands with its once-sworn enemy, Iran, in a deal brokered by China. Ankara and Cairo are also inching closer without any contribution from the US. Further, Russia is mediating a peace deal between Syria and Turkey. Bashar al-Assad’s overtures to Saudi Arabia may also lead to Syria’s readmission into the League of Arab States. The shifting power dynamics in the Middle East seem to be reducing the US’s sphere of influence.

Aranya Sanyal,Siliguri

Sir — While the US is sticking to its anti-Bashar al-Assad stance in Syria, Saudi Arabia has been making efforts to bring Syria back into the Arab political fold. The resumption of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, mediated by China, is further evidence of the fact that Arab governments are charting their own courses. The US might be losing its influence in the Middle East owing to its proximity to Israel.

Gregory Fernandes,Mumbai

Violent struggle

Sir — It is unfortunate that close to 200 civilians have already been killed in fighting that broke out recently in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (“Civilians feel strain of Sudan violence”, April 18). The two generals, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the army and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the paramilitary forces, had worked together in 2021 to seize power. But they are now refusing to negotiate with each other.This is a fresh problem in a country that is already suffering from a humanitarian crisis.

Khokan Das,Calcutta

Sir — The ongoing internal conflict in Sudan is worrying; it has already taken a toll on the civilian population. The fight between the two generals for control over administering the country has turned violent as the civil uprising in 2019 against the three-decade-old dictatorship has not borne fruit. The global community should take steps to help the country find a solution at the earliest.

D.V.G. Sankararao,Andhra Pradesh

Shortchanged

Sir — The Central government has further disadvantaged farmers by lowering the reserve price of wheat. The decision will deprive farmers of the rightful income they deserve and should be condemned.

Vijaykumar H.K.,Raichur, Karnataka

First look

Sir — The much-awaited Indian Premier League debut of Arjun Tendulkar, son of the legendary cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, took place at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai recently. This is a remarkable feat for a youngster who made his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy just last year. Now, it is up to Arjun to make use of this opportunity to bring fresh laurels for his family.

Jayanthy Subramaniam,Mumbai