Deep clean
Sir — A cluttered mailbox or notification list is now part and parcel of our lives. Although some religiously clear their inboxes, others choose to ignore the digital mess. A psychologist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio has stated that having an unorganised digital life can affect mental health and productivity. This is a problem that afflicts Gen Z in particular as it is a generation that has grown up in times when digital storage space was not in short supply. For millennials who had to save important things on floppy disks with 1.44 MB space — a regular Gmail account has over a thousand times this space — the idea of wasting digital storage is still anathema.
Sritama Bose, Noida
Toxic ingredient
Sir — In his article, “Deadly dependence” (Nov 19), Pankaj Kumar Mishra warns about the presence of microplastic in everyday food items like salt, seafood, and grains. This is a grave problem, which, if not addressed right away, will have irreversible implications for our health. Discarded plastic products break down into smaller particles and eventually become microplastic. We consume food that has been contaminated with microplastic through plastic containers and other packaging material used during production, processing and transportation. Microplastic accumulates in our organs, triggering inflammatory responses, disrupting hormone regulation, and increasing the risk of cancer. The food industry must shoulder the responsibility of adopting adequate safety measures and consumers must be vigilant as well. The government needs to enforce stricter regulations and invest in public awareness campaigns.
Jahar Saha, Calcutta
Sir — Microplastic accumulates in the bodies of several living beings, including humans. It has been detected in our organs, like lungs, intestines and even the brain. According to a recent study, each of us consumes a credit card-sized amount of microplastic every week. Governments all over the world must step in and tax products based on their environmental impacts. Global leaders should also come together to launch biodegradable substitutes in order to save the environment.
H.N. Ramakrishna, Bengaluru
Sir — PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, the two soft drink giants, are facing lawsuits in an American court for using single-use plastic bottles that contribute to environmental pollution. Plastic has a wide, global market due to its durability and flexibility. Several companies thus tend to use plastic containers, often also misleading consumers about their recyclability. However, the process of recycling plastic also emits toxic fumes that add to pollution. India generates around 10.2 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. The government should focus on phasing out plastic and promote the usage of biodegradable material.
Seetharam Basaani, Hanamkonda, Telangana
Choked city
Sir — As winter sets in, Delhi is, once again, facing a spike in pollution and dense smog. High levels of suspended particulate matter have rendered the air quality hazardous in the capital city. Reduced visibility is affecting flights and people have been warned to stay indoors to avoid severe long-term health consequences.
Various kinds of anthropogenic activities are responsible for this situation. Vehicular emissions, industrial discharge, and stubble burning contribute to air pollution in the capital. Temporary bans on outdoor activities cannot solve this problem; it requires sustained governmental action.
Khokan Das, Calcutta
Sir — The worsening of air quality in northern India, particularly Delhi, is concerning. This year the Air Quality Index in Delhi breached 500 in several areas despite the governmental ban on stubble burning. Other measures like restricting construction activities, putting a cap on industrial emissions and encouraging people to use public transport are needed as well.
Instead of passing the buck on to the next government, the governments in Delhi and at the Centre should remedy the situation by formulating comprehensive policies that address various sources of pollution.
D.V.G. Sankara Rao, Andhra Pradesh
Reader’s paradise
Sir — Higginbothams, one of the oldest bookstores in India, has been in business for 180 years. A majestic building at the heart of Chennai, the store’s first outlet is a heritage structure that must be protected. It is a book-lover’s paradise and has an extensive collection across genres. Higginbothams has a rich and diverse history and must be conserved.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Ethical growth
Sir — The initiative by the ministry of electronics and information technology to frame a voluntary code of ethics for Artificial Intelligence companies warrants scrutiny by software engineers. How can the ministry ensure accountability among AI users without hindering innovation? The companies, too, must balance development with ethics.
Anshu Bharti, Begusarai, Bihar
