MyVoice: Views of our readers 21st September 2026

Dementia diagnosis matters a lot

Every September 21 has been observed as ‘World Alzheimer’s Day’ ever since 2012. Dementia, also known as Alzheimer’s, is a multi-morbid condition. An alarming statistic is that over 55 million people worldwide suffer from some form of dementia, and 10 million new cases are being reported every year. India ranks third after China and the United States with an estimated four million Alzheimer’s cases. If this continues, it is likely that there may be 150 million dementia patients by 2050. The day is being observed to create awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The theme for this year is “The earlier you know, the more you can do: A dementia diagnosis matters”. Though the symptoms could be hereditary, disorders like diabetes, BP, obesity, and mental depression increase the symptoms.While till date, there is no complete cure for Alzheimer’s disease, expensive medicine can only bring about temporary relief. Meanwhile, we should discuss Alzheimer’s disease openly, study the experiences of dementia patients and not give room to any misconceptions.

Dr Burra Madhusudhan Reddy, Karimnagar

End the belt shop menace

This refers to reports that belt shops are openly thriving in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Numbering around 2000, they serve as 24x7 illegal sale counters for liquor. The general notion is that such belt shops exist in rural areas, thandas, on the fringes of Telangana’s districts. It is said that most of them are run by aides of licensed liquor shop owners; the monthly turnover from these outlets is estimated at Rs. 1000 crore.

The menace of the belt shops has been prevalent during the previous BRS government in the state. The present government ensured closure of these shops to an extent in December 2023. However, after the new auction of liquor shops in November 2025, the situation is back to square one; with some raids exposing the nexus between dealers and excise wing officials. That should be stopped with an iron hand.

S Lakshmi, Hyderabad

Climate discourse must be uniform

The report regarding global carbon emissions discussed recently highlights a critical contradiction in international climate discourse. While developing nations like India are frequently pressured to accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels, the stark reality remains that per capita emissions in developed nations are roughly six times higher than those in India, whose per capita contribution remains less than half the global average. India’s proactive efforts evidenced by fulfilling its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of schedule demonstrate that economic development and environmental responsibility can coexist.

Additionally, the discussions regarding domestic and legal opposition to clean energy projects, particularly nuclear power generation, deserves serious reflection. Combating climate change requires a pragmatic mix of renewable and nuclear baseload power, rather than ideological resistance to viable clean energy solutions. If the global community is serious about sustainable development, climate action must be rooted in equity, historical responsibility, and an unhindered push toward clean energy technology.

Mhoksha Ravula, Hyderabad

Varsities spell death-knell for students

The devastating health crisis unfolded at the prestigious Anna University, Chennai, where several students have succumbed to dengue and seasonal fevers have exposed a terrifying lapse in campus safety. The deaths have triggered a wave of panic among parents across the state. It is shocking that a premier State-run institution has allowed its residential hostels and academic blocks to become breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors. Reports indicate that campus health centres have failed to conduct timely diagnostic blood tests or maintain proper medical histories, highlighting a systemic failure in early medical intervention.

Irrespective of how health authorities classify these fatalities-dengue or monsoon related fevers, the core issue remains a fatal lack of institutional accountability. A university should be a safe space for learning, not a place where students lose their lives to preventable illnesses. A thorough and transparent investigation must be conducted into campus sanitation standards, round-the-clock medical infrastructure at student hostels, and aggressive vector-control measures on a war footing.

Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai

Reading habit on the wane

Apropos your editorial ‘Reading for pleasure is akin to unlocking a hidden treasure’. The reading habit, especially among the youngsters, is on the wane. This is due to increased addiction to the screen, pressure to ‘study hard’, and general decline in the quality of the written word to have the readers glued to the pages. Gone are the days when youngsters were asked by grandparents to read, and to refer to the dictionary whenever a new word is encountered.

Fallout of decline in reading habits is evident in the youth within today’s society. Glued to the screen, instead of pages, the impressionable young minds take to violence, substance abuse, crime, disrespect for women and other undesirable qualities. Words that once used to leave a lasting impression on the young are left unread or neglected, and that shows.

Dr George Jacob, Kochi

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The Hans India