Happy hobby

Sir — While the benefits of having a hobby, especially one that engages the creative faculties, have long been known, recent research by Anglia Ruskin University shows that engaging in such creative endeavours can deliver greater well-being than a job. The reason for this is simple. It is not possible to allow oneself to perform below a certain standard at the workplace, especially in a world where jobs are scarce. But there are no performance appraisals for hobbies. After all, even a blurry photograph of a sunset can bring one a moment of joy and make for a #humblebrag post on Instagram — that is the luxury of being a hobbyist.

Bidipta Sen, Calcutta

Glimmer of hope

Sir — The first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in a decade will be held in three phases on September 18, 25 and October 1, the Election Commission of India recently announced (“Sept-Oct polls in J&K, Haryana”, Aug 17). All political processes have come to a standstill in J&K since Article 370 was revoked five years ago. The EC’s deference to the “awaam ki umeedein” is thus welcome. In the aftermath of the abrogation, the restrictions on civil liberties have raised disquieting questions on the democratic deficit that seems to be the perennial inheritance of J&K. Given that key powers now rest with the lieutenant-governor of the Union territory, the onus is on him, too, to ensure that the elected assembly gets the space that is its due.

Jayanta Datta, Hooghly

Sir — Since the last assembly polls were held in J&K in 2014, the constituencies of the Union territory have been redrawn. In 2022, a delimitation commission added seven assembly seats to J&K, taking the total up from 83 to 90. There are now 43 seats in Jammu and 47 in Kashmir, with nine seats reserved for scheduled tribes. Six of the seven new seats went to Jammu, the Hindu-dominated region of the erstwhile state.

In the recently-held Lok Sabha elections in J&K, the National Conference led in 34 assembly segments, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party in 29. The Congress was the leading party in seven assembly seats, the People’s Democratic Party in five, and the People’s Conference in one. The INDIA bloc, which comprises the Congress, NC and PDP (although the latter two are bitter allies at the local level and might not fight the elections together), could potentially win 46 assembly seats, one more than the 45-seat majority mark.

Fateh Najamuddin, Lucknow

Sir — The abrogation of Article 370, the BJP’s high-handedness in the Valley and strategies to counter its influence are expected to remain significant issues in the J&K assembly elections. Given that statehood has not been restored in J&K, voters will prioritise voting to regain it. Safeguarding land, identity, resources and Article 370 will remain crucial concerns.

Zakir Hussain, Kazipet, Telangana

Sir — It would be interesting to see whether former chief ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, will contest in the upcoming assembly elections in J&K, having
previously stated that they would refrain from doing so unless statehood is restored. This is especially significant since they suffered massive losses in the Lok Sabha polls, with Abdullah losing in 15 out of 18 assembly seats and Mufti in 16 out of 18.

S. Kamat, Mysuru

Treasure troves

Sir — Libraries exist to provide free access to knowledge (“Free the shelves”, Aug 18). They also promote the culture of reading and learning for pleasure. Many people do not have access to the internet and, as such, well-stocked libraries are not only key to learning but also a basic human right.

We should donate books, magazines, and other reading materials like textbooks that we no longer need so that others can read it for free. We must ensure that public libraries remain free and vibrant centrepieces of our communities. The enormous sums spent on erecting statues can be gainfully utilised by building modern libraries named after eminent personalities.

H.N. Ramakrishna, Bengaluru

Sir — The editorial, “Free the shelves”, reminded me of a quote by John F. Kennedy: “If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all — except the censor.” One wishes that the current dispensation had built a grand library instead of a grand temple.

Avinash Godboley, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh

Sir — If books are the treasure troves of knowledge, libraries are akin to the mythical El Dorado. Libraries not only store books in a way that ensures their longevity but also provide people from all sections of society easy access to books and a chance to satiate their thirst for knowledge. To be a member of the few modernised libraries in India one has to pay through the nose and jump through many bureaucratic hoops. Public libraries must be made absolutely free and easy to access.

Sunil Chopra, Ludhiana