Ode to stability

Sir — Studies have shown that only 8% of people who make a New Year’s resolution follow through all year, and 80% of people quit by February. One of the reasons why people fail to stick to their goals is that they set themselves impossible targets and take an ‘all or nothing’ approach’ to achieving them. There is too much emphasis on progress and improvement in comparison to the previous year. It is important to remember that the opposite of progress is not necessarily regression. Remaining stable takes as much, if not more, effort as making progress.

Subrata Dasgupta, Calcutta

Be firm

Sir — The Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi has accused the government of snoozing while China plans a full-blown war against India. This led to counter-allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party that Rahul was demoralising the armed forces. Rahul has retorted by saying that he was merely criticising the government and not the army (“Rahul: Do not hide”, Jan 1). This trading of barbs only confuses the public.

In the meantime, China is going ahead with its nefarious plans. While it is true that there is no place for adventurism when it comes to two nuclear-armed countries, Beijing is getting used to being appeased. Strategic confrontation should be the way forward for India. But this is made impossible owing to poor decision-making and lies on the part of the government.

Shovanlal Chakraborty, Calcutta

All in the mind

Sir — Uddalak Mukherjee turns a popular hypothesis on its head in “Spectral season” (Dec 28). It is generally contended that the lack of imagination — be it in public discourse or literature — is one of the challenges when it comes to mitigating climate change. Mukherjee argues that imagination can be as potent a threat by lulling people into a false sense of comfort.

This is an interesting proposition. Scientists have proven that imagination plays a key role in safeguarding us, conjuring up scenarios that may not have happened to ease the blow of reality. Can it then be contended that those who are imagining that everything is shipshape with the climate are actually aware of the gravity of the situation?

Yashodhara Sen, Calcutta

Sir — The article, “Spectral season”, argues that the power of imagination allows people to delude themselves about climate change. But it is not just that. The rise of right-wing politics, anti-intellectualism, the erosion of trust in science and a spike in religious conservatism have all contributed to the denial of global warming.

Sukhendu Bhattacharjee, Hooghly

Sir — The raj might have imagined Bengalis to be an “effete” race, but it is unfortunate that instead of protesting such a character assassination, Bengalis themselves invoke it time and again as Uddalak Mukherjee does in “Spectral season”. Moreover, monkey-caps are worn by people all over India, yet Bengalis are the only ones mocked for it.

Kajal Chatterjee, Calcutta

Save more

Sir — The Centre has sharply raised interest rates on eight out of 12 small savings schemes for the January-March quarter of this financial year. This is like a New Year bonanza. It is irrational, however, to deprive four schemes of this benefit. Further, interest rate hikes should be made in consonance with the price of essential commodities and services. Arbitrary increase or decrease in interest rates fails to stimulate savings.

K.V. Seetharamaiah, Bengaluru

Era of changes

Sir — It was disheartening to learn about the death of Pope Benedict XVI at the age of 95. He became the first pontiff to resign from office in six centuries. He will be remembered for his courtesy, gentleness and openness. His appointments of cardinals had shown a clear shift towards Asia and Latin America, addressing a lacuna in the Roman Catholic church.

Jayanta Datta, Hooghly

Weeded out

Sir — The Indian Medical Association has felicitated Abhijit Neog, a doctor from Guwahati, for exposing no less than 26 fake medical practitioners since 2016. These quacks were practising not only in rural and semi-urban areas but also in many cities in Assam. Neog’s crusade to ensure public safety will help many people across the states. Other states, too, suffer from a plague of quack practitioners and should take necessary measures to weed them out.

A.K. Chakraborty, Guwahati

Parting shot

Sir — Coaching centres have mushroomed all over the country and lure in aspirants with tall promises. But these institutes are merely money-spinners and seldom have well-educated coaching staff. The government should start its own coaching institutes, which can help students from all backgrounds at a nominal fee.

N. Mahadevan, Chennai