Lost on Google Earth
Sir — Just as doctors are tired of patients bombarding them with queries about self-diagnosed ailments from Google, people in Kodagu, Karnataka, have had it with travellers led astray by Google Maps. Villagers in Kodagu have now put up a board saying, “Google is wrong. This road does not go to Club Mahindra”. Just last month, two German tourists, Philipp Maier and Marcel Schoene, found themselves lost in the Australian wilderness after following directions from Google Maps. This goes to show that the best way to navigate a new place is to simply stop and seek help from the locals.
Durba Mullick, Calcutta
Hide and seek
Sir — The delaying tactics adopted by the State Bank of India in providing the complete details of the electoral bonds reveal the institution’s loyalty to its political masters (“SC raps SBI for key omission”, Mar 16). Withholding the unique numbers attached to the electoral bonds also shows the SBI’s disrespect for the Supreme Court’s verdict. The reluctance to disclose the unique numbers raises suspicion about the nature of transactions that were undertaken in the name of buying electoral bonds. The apex court should not stop at reprimanding the SBI; it should be held in contempt of court.
Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai
Sir — The SBI seems to be dancing to the tunes of the ruling dispensation at the Centre. Why else would it create hurdles in the path of uncovering the identities of those who purchased electoral bonds? Such actions should be enough for people to smell something fishy and amend their electoral preferences.
K. Nehru Patnaik, Visakhapatnam
Sir — Even the incomplete details on electoral bonds released by the SBI reveal the possibility of quid pro quos with the government. Not only have some donations been tentatively linked to companies securing lucrative contracts and licenses at both the Central and the state levels but there are also indications of donations following raids by Central investigative agencies. It should also be noted that a large number of the donors operate in sectors such as mining, telecom and infrastructure that are under strict government control. Much needs to be done to ensure that the pitch does not remain queered.
M. Jeyaram, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
Sir — The data released on the electoral bonds, although incomplete, make some startling revelations. As many as 14 of the top 30 donors had been under investigation by Central investigative agencies. In other cases, donors have also happened to land lucrative State contracts. A Hyderabad-based engineering and infrastructure company raided by the income tax department, for instance, bought electoral bonds worth 966 crore rupees. It was also involved in the construction of the Zoji La tunnel in Ladakh and the Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project in Maharashtra.
An investigation into such links by a committee headed by a sitting judge
of the Supreme Court should be undertaken. A forensic audit of the donors’ account books to verify whether they are being used as shell companies is also necessary.
S.K. Choudhury, Bengaluru
Cost of living
Sir — It is heartening that Zydus Lifesciences has launched a new anti-cancer medicine, Olaparib, which will reduce the cost of treatment to Rs 3 lakh a year (“Cancer drug at 24 times lower cost”, Mar 14). In comparison, Rs 72 lakh is required for treatment using the branded drug. The increasing number of cancer cases in India is a matter of concern. The expense of cancer treatment and drugs cripples families financially. Cheaper, generic medicines like Olaparib can thus be a boon for cancer patients.
In a country where out-of-pocket spending constitutes about half of the total expenditure on healthcare, generic medicines provide cost-effective, accessible, and reliable treatment options. The quality and the efficacy of generic medicines are
comparable to branded ones. Doctors should promote these instead of branded formulations.
Kiran Agarwal, Calcutta
Keep it clean
Sir — The use of derogatory language by politicians is a matter of concern. It is a sign of weakness and desperation. Unfortunately, politicians often get away with such indecencies. The Election Commission of India should ensure that a code of conduct stays in place all year round instead of being applicable just before the elections. Comments that do not pertain to a person’s work in public office must be banned.
D. Bhattacharya, Calcutta
Parting shot
Sir — The death of the former chief of naval staff, Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas, is a great loss for the country (“1971 war hero, activist, Ramdas no more”, Mar 16). He will be well remembered for being an outspoken voice of conscience even after his retirement. He advocated for constitutional values till the very end.
Jahar Saha, Calcutta
