Cup of joy
Sir — A lot can happen over coffee. A woman who set out to find a partner who would help her brew the perfect cuppa ended up getting a job offer from a coffee company. The woman had set up a dating profile looking for someone who had the recipe to brew a splendid cup of coffee. After a lot of misguided advice from men who thought they knew it all and even a date who stole her coffee jar, she ended up writing a review of her experience online. So well-written was her review that she was offered a job in copywriting by a coffee company. The woman might not have found the perfect man — does one even exist? — but she certainly got something much better: a job at a coffee company will not only keep her coffee shelf stocked but also make her independent.
Monica Dubey, Mumbai
Urgent reminder
Sir — The Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, has, once again, touched on the important issue of judges of lower and trial courts being reluctant to grant bail (“CJI lens on judges’ bail safe-play”, July 29). There have been many cases of late where defendants have had to approach several courts before they were finally granted bail by the Supreme Court. Chandrachud rightly nudged judges to be more proactive in granting bail and to consider bail petitions with “robust common sense”. This is a timely reminder indeed given the rising number of arbitrary arrests of those who oppose the government.
K. Nehru Patnaik, Visakhapatnam
Sir — Most trial courts refuse to grant bail to an accused even in the absence of prima facie evidence to support his or her detention in police custody. Judges of lower courts must remember that investigative officers and agencies have a propensity to exaggerate allegations. Members of the lower judiciary need not only sound knowledge of criminal laws but also common sense to ascertain whether the accused concerned is a habitual offender and is capable of influencing witnesses if granted bail. But since trial courts are overburdened, it is difficult for judges to make an in-depth study of cases. They thus play it safe to avoid the wrath of top courts.
Arun Gupta, Calcutta
Sir — While highlighting the importance of granting bail other than in exceptional cases, the CJI said something interesting. He called India’s legal system “hierarchical”. This is the crux of the problem. Perhaps the legislative and the judiciary should put their heads together to try and make the legal system less hierarchical so that common people are not stuck doing rounds of the courts for ages just to prove their innocence.
N. Mahadevan, Chennai
On the mark
Sir — Manu Bhaker has made India proud by winning the bronze medal in the 10-metre air pistol event at the Paris Olympics (“Manu mettle gives India first medal in Paris”, July 29). Many outdoor sports are overshadowed by cricket and football. Bhaker’s victory has brought one such sport out of the shadows. Not only has she won India its first medal at this edition of the Olympics but she has also become the first Indian woman shooter to claim an Olympic medal.
Manas Mukhopadhyay, Hooghly
Sir — In October 2018, Manu Bhaker became the first Indian shooter to win gold at the Youth Olympics. After her historic win, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader and the then sports minister of Haryana, Anil Vij, had promised her a cash prize of two crore rupees. Bhaker later called Vij out for this jumla since she never received this money. In return, Vij was scathing in his criticism of her calibre as a sportsperson. With this Olympic medal, Bhaker has effectively shown Vij, and the world, her calibre.
Kavitha Srikanth, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
Sir — Three years ago, when Manu Bhaker returned home from her maiden Olympics empty-handed, many were disappointed at her having failed to live up to expectations. But with her stupendous achievement at the Paris Olympics, Bhaker has joined the league of Abhinav Bindra and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, among others.
A.P. Thiruvadi, Chennai
Sir — Manu Bhaker has won both the bronze medal in the 10-metre air pistol event at the Paris Olympics and the hearts of Indians. One hopes that this is the first of many medals for India.
T.S. Karthik, Chennai
Poor planning
Sir — The recent rains in Maharashtra have caused significant disruptions in Mumbai, Pune and other areas, exposing the vulnerabilities of the state’s infrastructure. The state’s continued lack of preparedness affects slum dwellers the most, often resulting in the loss of life. The government should prioritise the development of a modern and efficient drainage system similar to the ones in cities like Tokyo and Singapore.
Wasiullah Khan, Mumbai
Waste not
Sir — It was heartening to see the children of Auxilium Convent School, Dum Dum, take part in a cleanliness drive. However, one should ask how the placards used by students at these drives are disposed of. After such events, placards, banners and festoons, often made of non-biodegradable material, are dumped in street corners, adding to the waste problem.
Shibaprasad Deb, Calcutta
Biased approach
Sir — July 9 is International Tiger Day. The Indian government never fails to boast about the rising tiger population of India. However, what about fishermen, honey collectors and other professionals who depend on forests for their livelihoods and are killed by tigers? There is no Central assistance scheme for them or their families in case of their demise.
Fakhrul Alam, Calcutta
