Lunar lunacy
Sir — Astrology often plays a major role in regulating the quotidian routines of those who believe in it. Be it sporting precious gemstones to moderate one’s personality or conducting interpersonal relationships based on the positions of celestial bodies, people go to great lengths for astrology. But now it seems that the moon — not just the stars — is also dictating stately affairs. In Uttar Pradesh, policemen are supposedly tracking criminals using phases of the lunar calendar as per Hindu scriptures. Criminals, apparently, are like the tide, their activities ebb and flow with the moon. Whether or not this otherworldly technique will yield results remains to be seen, but what is clear is that New India is slowly turning into the kingdom of ekushey aain created by Sukumar Ray.
Subrata Maitra, Calcutta
Great disgrace
Sir — The provisional suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India by the international governing organisation, United World Wrestling, is a body blow to the sport in India. It is a pity that internal politics among office-holders loyal to the disgraced WFI chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has deprived our athletes of the chance to represent the nation on the global platform. The WFI had already earned a bad reputation due to the allegations of sexual harassment against Singh. This disbarment will now ensure that our national anthem will not be played even if our grapplers manage to win a gold medal abroad.
N. Mahadevan, Chennai
Sir — Words fail to describe how shameful the suspension of the WFI is for the nation. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is undoubtedly the person responsible for the inordinate delay in conducting elections to the organisation as he has been protected by the ruling party at the Centre. The Indian Olympic Association has also been suspended in the past due to the shameful actions of our political leaders. Our athletes have had to bear the brunt of such suspensions time and again. It is time to appoint former athletes to positions of power in our sporting bodies — Dilip Tirkey, a former Olympian who now heads Hockey India, is an example.
Bal Govind, Noida
Sir — The WFI’s provisional suspension by the UWW was the proverbial accident waiting to happen. The conflict between Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and senior wrestlers who have accused him of sexual harassment played out in public for months. In future, self-styled political heavyweights should be kept away from influential posts in sporting bodies. Singh and his political allies are responsible for India’s fall from grace.
Avinash Godboley, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh
Fatal blasts
Sir — Repeated explosions in illegal firecracker factories across West Bengal — the latest incident took place in Duttapukur in North 24 Parganas — reveal how ineffective the state administration is in controlling such nefarious activities (“Big bang”, Aug 30). Although the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, has expressed her ire and suspended two police officers, the damage has already been done. The authorities should crack down on such life-threatening illegal units across the state.
Arun Kumar Baksi, Calcutta
Sir — After Egra in East Midnapore, Duttapukur has witnessed yet another tragedy. It beggars belief that neither the police nor the local member of the legislative assembly was aware of the illegal firecracker factory in the area. The lack of funds available under rural job schemes can no longer be used as an excuse to let such illegal activities flourish. The state government must take stringent action to nip this problem in the bud and prevent further loss of life.
Amit Brahmo, Calcutta
Sir — It is surprising that two police officers have been suspended in the aftermath of the explosion in Duttapukur (“2 cops axed as Mamata fumes, blast toll 9”, Aug 29). The chief minister should have ordered an internal probe into the incident. Her decision seems to have been a knee-jerk reaction to criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Ananda Dulal Ghosh, Howrah
Journey to the sun
Sir — After the successful moon landing of Chandrayaan-3, India’s next space mission is the launch of Aditya-L1, the country’s first outer space solar probe (“After the moon, what will it be? The sun, of course”, Aug 29). The Aditya-L1 spacecraft is scheduled for launch in the first week of September and will attempt to study the sun from close quarters. Such expeditions show India’s growing prowess in space exploration.
Amarjeet Kumar, Hazaribagh
Sir — Even as Pragyan, the rover on Chandrayaan-3, continues to conduct experiments on the lunar surface, the Indian Space Research Organisation has set its sights on the launch date of its next mission, Aditya-L1, which will be a space-based observatory of the sun. It will be positioned in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1, about 15 lakh km away from the earth. Although it will face challenges, the data collected by this mission will help improve our understanding of the effect of the sun’s radiation on our planet’s climate.
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad
Twisted narrative
Sir — In a cruel twist of fate, The Kashmir Files, a film widely criticised for promoting a divisive message, has been awarded the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration (“Picture imperfect”, Aug 27). The film’s demonisation of Kashmiri Muslims and its distorted narrative on the forced migration of Kashmiri Pandits go against the pluralist ethos of Indian cinema. The award is an affront to a multicultural icon like Nargis Dutt.
Vishal Mayur, Tumkur, Karnataka
