New dawn

Sir — People from marginalized communities have long been coerced to forsake cultural or ethnic markers of identity — facial tattoos or Afro-textured hair, for instance — to conform to narrow notions of presentability. As such, it is heartening that a news anchor in New Zealand, Oriini Kaipara, recently became the first person with a moko kauae — a traditional tattoo worn by Maori women on the chin — to present a prime-time news broadcast. This is a giant leap forward in the representation of indigenous people and their practices in mainstream media. This may encourage the younger generation to honour traditions without fearing professional censure.

Mehr Johnson,
Mumbai

Battle for justice

Sir — Thousands of doctors across India are rightly protesting against delays in admission to postgraduate medical courses in 2021 (“Doctors join list of wounded”, Dec 29). The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, which usually takes place in January, was postponed this year because of the pandemic. The exams were finally held in September but the counselling and admission process could not begin because of pending cases in the Supreme Court. Unsurprisingly, resident doctors have taken to the streets, demanding that the counselling be conducted at the earliest.

It is truly unfortunate that a first information report was lodged against the doctors for rioting, causing obstruction in the duty of police personnel — physical clashes allegedly took place between the doctors and the Delhi police — and damaging public property. We must extend our support to the agitating doctors.

Jang Bahadur Singh,
Jamshedpur

Sir — The demands of the protesting junior doctors are not unfounded. The constant delay in admission to postgraduate courses has put the careers of thousands of young doctors in jeopardy. The government must address their concerns at the earliest.

Amit Brahmo,
Calcutta

Think again

Sir — In a shocking development, the Union government has refused to renew the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act licence of the Missionaries of Charity (“New weapon”, Dec 30). The Centre has accused the organization of “adverse inputs”, but did not clarify what they were. Reports also indicate that the organization is being investigated by the Gujarat police for alleged religious conversion.

While it is important that non-governmental organizations fulfil the requirements of the FCRA, the government must not take any hasty steps. The Missionaries of Charity provides aid to a number of people and any blockage of funding will directly affect their well-being. The Union government should rethink its decision.

Bhagwan Thadani,
Mumbai

Sir — The move against the Missionaries of Charity is appalling. The chief minister of Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, is right to say that around 22,000 patients and employees will be left without basic amenities in the absence of adequate funding. At the very least, the Centre should clarify its reasons for the non-renewal of the licence.

Shyamal Thakur,
Ramnagar, East Burdwan

Sir — The Central government’s refusal to renew the licence of the Missionaries of Charity coincides with a growing spate of attacks on Christians in India. On several occasions, the sangh parivar has accused Christian missionaries of nefariously converting people. There is little truth to such claims. Organizations such as the Missionaries of Charity provide comfort and support to thousands of people who have nowhere to go. This move will bring about untold miseries for many.

Amrita Ganguly,
Calcutta

Grave threat

Sir — The crackdown on Stand News, a prominent media outlet in Hong Kong, does not come as a surprise. Over 200 police officers swept into the newsroom, arresting senior journalists under a colonial-era sedition law. This unending onslaught on press freedom in Hong Kong coincides with a global censure of journalists. According to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, 293 reporters were imprisoned worldwide as of December 1 this year. It is a shame that world leaders largely remain silent on the precarious condition of scribes.

Nilanjana Chakraborty,
Calcutta

Positive move

Sir — It is heartening to know that a fodder storage in Calcutta has been converted into a museum for the mounted police at their headquarters at S.N. Banerjee Road (“Fodder storage turns into mounted police museum”, Dec 29). The mounted police were introduced to the city in 1840, much before the Calcutta police, and have a rich history. As a football fan, I frequently visit Maidan and have seen them control crowds with practised ease. It is truly wonderful that their contributions are being memorialized.

Sourish Misra,
Calcutta

Lost icon

Sir — The demise of the American artist, Wayne Thiebaud, has brought down the curtain on an era of pop-art painting. Thiebaud’s artistic vision and colourful exploration of everyday items in paintings such as Three Cones and Shoe Rows influenced generations of painters. His subjects may have been ordinary but his use of exaggerated colours with thick, enticing brushstrokes was exceptional.

Ranjana Datta,
Calcutta

Parting shot

Sir — Crowds of people are flouting Covid protocols and attending political rallies in Uttar Pradesh as the state gears up for the 2022 assembly elections. Political parties, too, seem to be encouraging such irresponsible behaviour. With a rapid spike in Omicron infections across the country, it is high time people became cautious. Political parties must campaign virtually to ensure public safety.

Kirti Wadhawan,
Kanpur