Costly purity
Sir — Sweet vendors across India usually get creative during festivals by reimagining Indian mithais. A sweetmeat vendor from Bihar recently garnered attention for his distinct take on Indian politics — Lalu Sharma from Bhagalpur has created special laddoos for Diwali this year which are called ‘Modi laddoos’. An ardent admirer of the prime minister, Sharma has even shared the secret ingredient — Ganga jal — that makes these laddoos not only delicious but also “pure”. But given the claims about the Centre levying taxes on Ganga jal, ‘Modi laddoos’, it seems, will remain out of reach for most Indians.
Mallika Ghosh, Calcutta
Unhealthy politics
Sir — Since its launch in 2018, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana of the Central government has benefitted thousands of needy Indians. The Centre recently broadened the scope of the health scheme to provide insurance to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above. Unfortunately, the governments of West Bengal and Delhi have refused to implement it (“Ayushman in health hazard”, Oct 30).
While the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi has argued that implementation of the scheme is difficult owing to its strict stipulations, the Trinamool Congress regime has alleged that the Ayushman Bharat is a rip-off of its health scheme, Swasthya Sathi. Such arguments do not hold water. Healthcare insurance is crucial and should be available to all citizens.
Arun Kumar Baksi, Calcutta
Sir — Under the expanded Ayushman Bharat scheme, both spouses are eligible for free health insurance coverage of five lakh rupees per annum. This will benefit most senior citizens grappling with steep premiums for health insurance and rising healthcare costs. It is thus a shame that the Bengal government has refused to implement the scheme.
Dhrubo Gupta, Calcutta
Sir — By not initiating the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the TMC and the AAP are serving their own political interests. Even though Bengal already has implemented a similar scheme called Swasthya Sathi, which ensures paperless, cashless treatment with no cap on family size, people should have the freedom to choose between the national and the state schemes. The welfare of the people must prevail upon self-centred politics.
A.P. Thiruvadi, Chennai
Sir — There is no reason for Bengal to not implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme when states like Maharashtra — it’s per capita income is higher than that of Bengal — are implementing it. The tussle between the Centre and the state is costing the poor who can actually benefit from the health coverage.
Diganta Chakraborty, Hooghly
On the wane
Sir — The article, “Other doctors” (Oct 31), by Rishav Chatterjee was illuminating. The understanding of the evolution of dentistry is mostly rudimentary among Indians. Bengaluru, too, has been a hub of Chinese dentists. The Government Dental College and Research Institute, established in 1958 in Bengaluru, is among the first few dental colleges in the country. Many Chinese dentists set up practices in the city during that time.
H.N. Ramakrishna, Bengaluru
Sir — Even though Chinese dental clinics are still operational in some pockets of Calcutta, their legacy is carried forward mostly in the districts by Bangladeshi quacks. These quacks even perform surgeries without having the necessary qualifications and training. This is detrimental to public health. The government should fill up the vacancies for qualified dental surgeons in district hospitals for the benefit of the people.
Basudeb Dutta, Nadia
