Digital keepsake
Sir — Photographs were akin to precious memories. The method of preserving memories, though, seems to be changing in the digital age. A software engineer from Australia was recently in the news for keeping almost 7,500 tabs open on her web browser for around two years. Fortunately, the user was able to restore the tabs after she accidentally shut them down; she admitted that she felt like a part of her had been “restored” following their successful recovery. She claims that the tabs serve as a “trip down memory lane”, helping her recall her past activities and interests. The question is this: what dark magic does the engineer use to keep her operating system running with thousands of tabs open when most of us struggle to keep even 10 tabs running at a time?
Pradyut Sharma, Mumbai
Too powerful
Sir — The Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to field Karan Bhushan Singh, the son of the tainted former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as a Lok Sabha candidate from his father’s erstwhile constituency reminds one of the adage, it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other (“Family values”, May 7). This shows that the BJP is allowing Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to call the shots by proxy. Can the BJP still claim that it is a ‘party with a difference’?
Avinash Godboley, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh
Sir — It is clear that the BJP is not ready to antagonise Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at any cost. This is why it has fielded the son of the six-time member of Parliament who stands accused of sexual assault. The party has made a mockery of its tall claims of promoting ‘nari shakti’ and its slogans of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. This move sends out a clear message to the nation: powerful men can get away with anything. Moreover, is this not an example of blatant parivarvaad?
S.S. Paul, Nadia
Risky journey
Sir — The inadequate economic and social opportunities in India and the increasingly restricted legal pathways for emigration aid the proliferation of fraudulent agents. Thriving on the demand for cheap labour and the desperation of students and the unemployed to go abroad by hook or by crook, these agencies exploit loopholes in international migration processes (“Disposable casualties”, May 7). Vulnerable job-seekers are thus coerced to participate in fraudulent practices. The government needs to be proactive in plugging the gaps in the migration procedure and shaping a definite structure for the labour market, both in India and abroad.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Sir — While reading the article, “Disposable casualties”, by Carol Schaeffer, I was reminded of the exploitation of indentured Indian labourers during the raj. They would be taken to work for a pittance in sugarcane plantations in former colonies like Fiji, Suriname, Mauritius and the West Indies. It is deplorable that more than a hundred years later, Indians are still risking their lives abroad because their own country is unable to provide them gainful employment. The government must ensure that these workers are not duped of their wages or exploited in foreign lands.
Amit Brahmo, Calcutta
Strained unity
Sir — While discussing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, Suhit K. Sen has rightly stated that “the current regime is pursuing a project of uniformity in unity, evident in its endorsement of cultural homogeneity” that is reliant on a Hindutva-based view of the nation (“Thoughts on unity”, May 7). The fact that the voter identity card does not suffice as proof of citizenship raises uncomfortable questions. It brings into doubt the identity of the very voters who elect the members of the powerful legislative bodies. How can an elected government invalidate the identities of the same citizens who put it in office? The CAA has also damaged the secular nature of the Constitution by introducing religion as a criterion for validating citizenship.
Sujit De, Calcutta
Amicable split
Sir — Carrying forward a familial legacy without a public spat is key to cementing a positive image in people’s consciousness. The Tatas and the Birlas have successfully carved a niche for themselves as tightly-knit family organisations. Godrej, too, is one such name that has grown into an established brand from modest beginnings in the early 1900s. It is thus heartening that the two sections of the Godrej family have come to an amicable settlement to split the estate into two parts, Godrej Enterprises and Godrej Industries. Many illustrious business families, such as the owners of Raymond, the Singhanias, and others like the Murugappas and the Kirloskars, have grabbed the limelight for the wrong reasons. Such disputes not only taint the legacy of the companies but also destroy investors’ confidence in the brand.
Vijay Singh Adhikari, Nainital
Great void
Sir — The death of the former Argentine football player and manager, César Luis Menotti, is saddening (“‘The thin one’ who won ’78 Cup”, May 7). His passion for football and his ability to read the game helped him become one of the most influential football coaches in Argentine history. He was instrumental in securing Argentina’s maiden Fifa World Cup victory in 1978. His death has created a void in world of football.
Jayanta Datta, Hooghly
Golden lies
Sir — It is likely that people will make a beeline for jewellers tomorrow under the superstition that buying gold on Akshay Tritiya will bring them luck. This gold rush is nothing but a marketing gimmick. We should not fall prey to such sales scams.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
