MyVoice: Views of our readers 23rd December 2020

Himalayan blunder?

This refers to the news item 'Nepal PM stumps rivals, gets Parl dissolved', (The Hans India, December 21). Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday recommended that the lower house of Parliament be dissolved and fresh elections be held. The country's president acceded to the request and announced that elections will be held over April and May next year. The legality of the development is contested and the last word hasn't been said. The political turmoil comes at a difficult moment. Nepal has been hit hard by the fallout of the pandemic as tourism and remittances play important roles in the economy. In addition, there have been other challenges such as sugarcane farmers protesting in Kathmandu over unpaid dues.

Oli, who has been in office for almost three years, has shown a pronounced tilt towards China in foreign policy. Simultaneously, the relationship with India deteriorated, with the cabinet's approval in May of an updated political map marking a low point. China, through the office of its ambassador to Nepal, has also played a direct role in domestic politics. The Indian government will watch the developments in coming days with interest. None of the differences between the two countries are irreconcilable. They have a unique relationship, as an open border and free movement of people between sovereign neighbours are rarely seen anywhere else in Asia. Nepal can ill afford political turmoil at this time. Hopefully wiser counsel will prevail.

N Sadhasiva Reddy, Bengaluru

Jagan sets off a revolution

Kudos to the reformist zeal of Jagan's government which has taken one more bold step towards making AP, a " Rythu Rajyam". Taking up this gigantic exercise of "Saswatha Bhu Hakku Bhu Rakshana Pathakam"(land survey ) in partnership with Survey of India, across the state, with the aid of latest Drone / Rover technology, to ensure protection of lands ,and to issue permanent title deeds to all farmers cum pattedars , is certainly a revolution ,Telugu people will be witnessing, after a century.

In this regard, it is an universal truth that the land has got emotional connect with the Telugu people and it is fondly hoped that this land reform ,at the doorstep of the landholders, will herald a peaceful enjoyment of land and property ,sans litigation and hassle. Further,this survey will ensure purification of land records and help to give a flawless Land administration to the people of AP.

P H Hema Sagar, Secunderabad

A shaky welcome to 2021

As we prepare to welcome the new year 2021 after nearly a year of struggle battling coronavirus and still continuing to do so with Damocles' sword hanging over everyone's head of losing one's job at any time on account of economy still in the nascent stage and not recovered, people started feeling jittery as uncertainty stares at their faces.

In this context, if we reminisce the year and analyse the life in pre-Covid times when it was peaceful with business and life moving at the usual pace with no restrictions placed on movement of transport and people from one place to another at any hour of the day. But with the outbreak of pandemic in late March, people least expected that it would turn out to be deadly one and last longer were proved wrong as after striking, it not only changed the life style of everyone but left them in a state of daze when lockdown was clamped asking people to stay indoors and not venture out for any errands. With the roller coaster ride starting from day one of lockdown, it confined everyone at home for months until lockdown was slowly lifted phase by phase.

Therefore, it is crucial for everyone to remain optimistic by focusing on the task on hand in order to ward off negative thoughts from our minds and as well to minimise the spread of virus. All said and done, after nearly a year of intense struggle, it seems that the world is finally entering the final phase of battling the coronavirus, let us hope the virus goes leaves as visualised by experts for everyone to heave a sigh of relief.

K R Srinivasan, Secunderabad

Threat of another type of corona virus is spreading with lot of variants from other nations, initially from Britain and South Africa. This strain is struggling in its way. Our country should be more vigilant to keep it at bay by continuing precautionary protocols such as mask wearing, hand sanitisation and maintaining physical distance and less or no gatherings during festivals, marriages and any other events. Though Covid-19 fatality rate is stated to be very low at little over one per cent on Indian population, it is very high as more than one lakh patients succumbed to the pandemic which is to be taken in to account. A team of specialist doctors addressed in media that this new strain will cause more harm than covid-19. Governments should again jump into action to contain it at entry point itself.

Dr NSR Murthy, Secunderabad

Political divorce?

When one leaves a political party, we call it a political divorce but what happened in West Bengal is between a real married couple, which was a love marriage who incidentally opted for BJP and TMC. and became political opponents culminating in the husband serving divorce notice to his wife. This clearly shows the kind of people we have in politics who have no qualms to go for divorce leaving the family high and dry. Probably, politics is so lucrative that even marital relationships can be sacrifiçed at the altar of transient political màrriages.

D S P Rao, Kakinada

Ramanujan, the genius

It is heartening to know that the enigmatic mathematical work and greatness of Ramanujan continues to inspire generations of mathematicians (The greatness of Ramanujan, TH, Dec 22). The annual celebration of his birthday as "National Mathematics Day" should not be a mere 'academic' gesture but be used to encourage and perpetuate his mathematical genius in our youngsters. A National Award in his name should be initiated and be given to promising scientists and academicians. Again little is known about how he could acquire and showcase such phenomenal talent with little formal education in daunting penury. A thorough research in to this aspect is highly appreciated as it comes handy for generations to come.

M Somasekhar Prasad, Hyderabad