See the difference
Sir — The phrase, ‘women and children’, is often invoked in discussions surrounding conflicts, wars, and humanitarian crises to emphasise the vulnerability of certain groups. There is an implied helplessness often associated with ‘women and children’. While women and children are, indeed, disproportionately affected by conflict in unique ways, framing the issue thus implies that women and children together comprise one vulnerable group, rather than two distinct groups. This undermines the role of women in peacekeeping and protection during ongoing conflict and violence.
Sohini Saha, Calcutta
Political tool
Sir — There is little doubt that awarding the Bharat Ratna to the former prime minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, posthumously is nothing but a political strategy on the part of the Narendra Modi-led government (“It’s raining Ratnas in election season”, Feb 10). The Bharatiya Janata Party is desperate to expand its footprint in South India ahead of the general elections. But people are shrewd enough to not fall prey to such manoeuvres.
The BJP’s ulterior motives aside, Rao richly deserves the Bharat Ratna. He will always be remembered for bringing India’s economy back from the brink of a major collapse in 1991. Rao’s accomplishments are all the more commendable given that he headed a minority government.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Sir — The Rashtriya Lok Dal led by Jayant Choudhary, the son of the former prime minister, Chaudhary Charan Singh, might leave the INDIA bloc and align with the National Democratic Alliance after a Bharat Ratna was awarded to his father. This raises questions about the nature of this honour and its exploitation for political purposes. The Bharat Ratna for P.V. Narasimha Rao, too, is to gain political mileage in Andhra Pradesh.
Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai
Sir — The decision to award Bharat Ratnas to Chaudhary Charan Singh and P.V. Narasimha Rao was taken days after Bharat Ratnas for Karpoori Thakur and Lal Krishna Advani had already been announced. The timing of it is certainly suspicious. But these awards were long overdue. In fact, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance governments should have bestowed them earlier.
Abhijit Roy, Jamshedpur
Sir — National awards like the Bharat Ratna are used by the Narendra Modi-led government to appease political parties and certain segments of the electorate before the general elections. The intentions of the BJP are clear. But it is unlikely that the people of the country will be fooled by such empty gestures.
Romana Ahmed, Calcutta
Sir — It is raining Bharat Ratnas in India. Yet, personalities like the Nobel laureate, Kailash Satyarthi, were not awarded a Bharat Ratna. Is this because Satyarthi’s work exposed the dark sides of Narendra Modi’s Ramrajya?
Kajal Chatterjee, Calcutta
Unsafe space
Sir — A recent survey by The Guardian found that Meta is failing to report or even detect the extent of the online pimping of children. The company’s own documents show that about 100,000 children, mainly girls, are sexually harassed each day on Facebook and Instagram. Experts warn that job cuts at Meta and other businesses, particularly in moderation and safety teams, will make these problems even harder to manage. The extent to which children’s well-being has been neglected is unacceptable, especially as evidence grows of the links between online and offline sexual abuse. The vast wealth of Meta, X, Google and the other internet giants should increase, and not lessen, the responsibilities to society places on them.
H.N. Ramakrishna, Bengaluru
Sir — The world wide web must be made a safer place for children. Countries across the globe should collaborate on this.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Fractured ties
Sir — Not so long ago, India had strategic policies in place to strengthen its ties with its neighbours. But at the beginning of 2024, the unfortunate reality is that India is surrounded by unsettled and tetchy neighbours. This will affect India’s plans in the region. For instance, the recent capture of Paletwa in Myanmar by the Arakan Army has rendered the Kaladan Multi-Modal Project almost impossible.
Another big blow has come in the form of festering anti-India sentiments in the Maldives. Sri Lanka, too, recently captured 19 Indian fishermen on charges of unauthorised bottom-trawling. China and Pakistan have always been India’s foes. In recent times, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, traditionally strong allies of India, too, have gravitated towards China. All this presents a troubling situation. India needs to take immediate steps to mend these ties. Working the diplomatic channels can restore peace to this world fraught with divisions.
Kirti Wadhawan, Kanpur
