Take flight

Sir — Ever since Elon Musk took over Twitter, many have been wondering if the Tesla chief is trying to destroy the microblogging site. Musk has taken a series of questionable decisions — including drastic layoffs and monetisation of the blue check verification — that has dented the credibility of Twitter and alienated a significant portion of its userbase. The comic, John Oliver, has quipped that Musk has effectively set $44 billion on fire and all we can do is watch it burn. Megalomania has decimated a social media site that had, so far, served as a viable platform for discussion and debate. It is difficult to fathom why Musk, an able businessman, would act so irrationally. Perhaps it is time for users to migrate to alternatives like Mastodon and explore new pastures.

Srijani Chakraborty, Calcutta

Still growing

Sir — According to the United Nations, the global population has officially hit eight billion. This is an enormous figure. The increasing population will exert enormous pressure on the earth’s resources, leading to a host of problems. Governments around the world must be careful so that overpopulation does not lead to conflict. Overpopulation has resulted in an increased demand on food, water, energy and has contributed to ecological degradation. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, rising inflation, and global poverty are some of the other pressing concerns of contemporary times. It seems that we are living in a state of permacrisis. People must come to each other’s aid and strive towards building a peaceful and prosperous future.

Kirti Wadhawan, Kanpur

For shame

Sir — Recently, the West Bengal minister, Akhil Giri, came under fire for his misogynistic comment about the president of India, Droupadi Murmu. This is disgraceful and must be strongly condemned. Murmu is an exceptional leader who has set an example by becoming the first indigenous female president of India. Giri’s comment laid bare the everyday discrimination that people from the adivasi community face. There is no place for such blatant discrimination in modern India. Strict action must be taken against Giri so that elected representatives think before they speak.

Diganta Chakraborty, Hooghly

Further demands

Sir — The six people convicted for the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 were released from prison last week after directions from the Supreme Court. Nalini Sriharan, one of the convicts and the only survivor of the five-person group tasked with killing the former prime minister, has appealed to the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government to release four Sri Lankan nationals, including her husband, V. Sriharan. All four are currently being held at a special refugee camp as they had illegally entered the country. The government must follow procedure and not give into such demands.

M.C. Vijay Shankar, Chennai

Critical situation

Sir — After toppling the democratically-elected government led by the Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, the military junta of Myanmar has unleashed a reign of terror on ordinary citizens (“Worsening conflict”, Nov 15). But the people of Myanmar have not bowed to oppression and have organised themselves in their fight against injustice. Several militant outfits are active across the country and are resisting the brutal assault of the armed forces. India must be cautious in its approach to this crisis. New Delhi should not be overtly critical of the Tatmadaw as that might push the Myanmar army towards China. However, India must also not be blind to protests that seek to restore democracy in its neighbourhood.

Aranya Sanyal, Siliguri

Blind spots

Sir — It is common knowledge that mosquitoes that cause dengue breed in discarded junk, such as car tyres and flower pots, that are often left on roadsides for months. The municipal corporation’s lackadaisical attitude is shocking. It speaks volumes about the state of affairs that the chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, had to direct municipalities to ensure cleanliness. Banerjee pointed out how strewn materials from dismantled pandals can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes during this time of the year. The source of infestations, as well as possible solutions, has been identified. Now it is up to the civic authorities to implement preventive measures.

Amit Brahmo, Calcutta

Simple measures

Sir — Good health is the greatest treasure one can have. A healthy body houses a healthy mind. Thus, it is important to exercise regularly. Gym memberships have become quite expensive and it is often beyond the means of ordinary people. But there are plenty of inexpensive and sustainable alternatives to working out in a gym. In fact, simple and free physical activities, such as walking, are enough to keep people healthy. Several parks have outdoor gyms that can be useful too.

Saikat Kumar Basu, Calcutta

Star power

Sir — It was heartbreaking to learn about the demise of the veteran Telugu actor, Ghattamaneni Krishna, popularly known as Krishna. He was associated with many firsts during his long and illustrious career, such as the first CinemaScope film and 70 mm screen, among others. Krishna acted in Western roles like that of cowboys andalso played James Bond with aplomb. He will be remembered for his immense contributions to Indian cinema.

D.V.G. Sankararao, Nellimarla, Andhra Pradesh