Future food
Sir — Entomophagy has been an accepted practice in many cultures across the world and, yet, it was relegated to the category of dietary exotism in modern societies after the agricultural revolution. But it seems that creepy crawlies are now making a comeback on our plates in an effort to combat climate change. Recently, the Singapore Food Agency approved 16 species of insects, including beetles, locusts, grasshoppers and mealworms, as fit for human consumption on the grounds that insects are healthier, less expensive, and more environmentally sustainable than meat. However, given the deeply entrenched biases against consuming insects, will the prospect of saving the planet be enough to get people to switch to a bug-based diet?
Nilima Laskar, Howrah
Justified concerns
Sir — The ongoing mass agitation against the rape and murder of a young woman doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital is not being organised by any political outfit. But there has been a deliberate attempt to label this spontaneous outpouring of anger as ‘political’ by members of the Trinamool Congress government. The public outburst is an expression of a lack of confidence in the government.
The TMC parliamentarian, Jawhar Sircar, has rightly resigned from the Rajya Sabha citing his concerns over the state government’s mishandling of the protests (“Clumsy and corrupt: MP quit missive to CM”, Sept 9). Sircar’s resignation must be seen as dissent against the malaises afflicting the government.
Debaprasad Bhattacharya, Calcutta
Sir — The concerns raised by Jawhar Sircar against the TMC dispensation in West Bengal are justified. The rape and murder of a young woman doctor at her place
of work has triggered massive outrage and raised questions about the safety of women in their workplaces. What is worse, the clumsy handling of the incident and the hasty reinstatement of the outgoing principal in an equivalent position has led
to suspicions of a cover-up. The nexus of corruption in public hospitals that has come to light thereafter has tarnished the image of the Mamata Banerjee-led government. The dispensation is failing to read the public mood and employing diversionary tactics that keep backfiring.
Bhaskar Sanyal, Hooghly
Sir — Jawhar Sircar, a former Indian Administrative Service officer and one of the staunchest critics of the Narendra Modi regime at the Centre, has left the Rajya Sabha on account of the culture of corruption in the TMC. Sircar has been unsparing in his criticism of the Bengal government’s response to the movement demanding justice for the R.G. Kar victim. He deserves applause for demonstrating courage of conviction, a rarity in today’s politicians.
S.K. Choudhury, Bengaluru
Sir — Jawhar Sircar has expressed his grievances against the TMC in a letter addressed to Mamata Banerjee. In this letter, Sircar referred to having considered resigning after the arrest of the then state education minister, Partha Chatterjee. He stated that at that time, he chose to stay on in the Rajya Sabha in the hope that Banerjee would continue her anti-corruption efforts. The R.G. Kar incident reveals how deep the roots of corruption go in the TMC.
Anandambal Subbu, Coimbatore
Strategic move
Sir — With the wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, joining the Congress, the party’s fortunes in the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana have brightened remarkably (“Vinesh joins Cong, in poll bout”, Sept 7). The Congress aims to present itself as a platform for the youth through Phogat and Punia. The party is keen to capitalise on the popularity of the two wrestlers, especially Phogat’s after her historic bout at the Paris Olympics.
Given that both wrestlers are from the Jat community, this could also consolidate the decisive Jat vote bank in the state for the Congress. On the other hand, the internal feuds in the Bharatiya Janata Party have led to several senior state leaders quitting after being denied tickets. It seems that all the stacks are in favour of the Grand Old Party to wrest back power in Haryana.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Sir — The Congress had put up a united front with the Aam Aadmi Party in Haryana before the Lok Sabha elections but is averse to such an alliance in the state polls. Perhaps the Congress has become confident of winning after the induction of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. But it would be a mistake to assume that the party can win Haryana by just banking on the popularity of the two wrestlers. The AAP has increased its foothold in the state and may end up clinching crucial seats. This will divide the vote shares of the Congress and the AAP, ultimately helping the BJP.
N. Mahadevan, Chennai
Lifesaver
Sir — A recent study published in Nature has revealed that around 11 crore household latrines built under the Swachh Bharat Mission have averted 60,000-70,000 infant deaths annually. This reaffirms the link between improved access to sanitation and reduced in child mortality. Launched in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission has proved to be a game-changer in improving sanitation in the country.
M. Jeyaram, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
Space crunch
Sir — Arijit Chatterjee’s article, “Path of shame” (Sept 9), highlighted the worrisome condition of the footpaths in Calcutta and elsewhere. Encroachment on footpaths by hawkers has become common. Chatterjee suggested solutions to the menace such as instituting a separate cadre of footpath police which would save pavements from being encroached on. This must be implemented across India.
K. Nehru Patnaik, Visakhapatnam
