MyVoice: Views of our readers 23rd June 2020

India needs to counter China

After poisoning mind of Nepalese government, China now woos Bangladesh by luring gigantic investments through FDI which may pit Bangladesh against India in war-like situation between India and China.

In the aftermath of India-China skirmishes, cash-rich China is turning India's neighbours against it. In the long run, it could cost us heavily, so India too needs do something to counter China. We should also keep in mind China's loans to 150 nations are even more than of World Bank and IMF.

Shruti Raikwar, Warangal

India much ahead of other countries in Covid cure

We should be proud that our Indian doctors and scientists have been trying to find tablets and injections for coronavirus. The Hetero company manufactured a dose to prevent Covid-19. The Remdesivir generic version will be branded as Covifor in India. Hetero group of companies M D Vamsi Krishna said it would be in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 per 100 mg dose.

We feel proud because it was materialised by a Telugu person. In Mumbai also, Institute of Chemical Technology scientists invented some tablets. They are known as Favipiravir tablets.

The pharmaceutical firm Glenmark is trying to get the nod to manufactured FabiFlue tablets. The price of one tablet is Rs 103 rupees. We all bow our heads before you doctors, scientists and police.

TVS Suchitra, Khammam

Democracy in peril

This has reference to the editorial 'Concept of parliamentary democracy goes for a toss' (THI, June 22) which brought out daringly the role of the first citizen of the State under an elected government.

The Governors and the President have the onerous responsibility to protect and guide the government for setting right violations if any, of the constitutional provisions. But they have become mere titular heads to speak and sign only for passing Government Orders.

As Sarojini Naidu rightly put it, this position is always locked in a golden cage. Former Chief Minister of combined Andhra Pradesh N T Rama Rao wished for abolition of this gubernatorial mannequin showcased only to act as representative of the Centre. Ours is namesake parliamentary democracy, it is in fact ruling party's persuasive democracy for laying foundation for the next elections.

N Ramalakshmi, Secunderabad

Let's salute brave Covid warriors

This is with reference to the news item 'Class 12 student handles Covid bodies for mother's medicines, school fees' (THI, June 18). We salute this young unsung Covid warrior Chand Mohammad and his mother's courage and also thank The Hans India for bringing such stories which bring a bright spot among everyday news of inhuman behaviours in our society.

One day the Covid-19 will go, but in future, whenever this horrible virus episode will be mentioned, people will also remember such brave heroes. The Central and the States governments and other NGOs must consider to reward our Covid-19 warriors specially crematorium staff, graves diggers, ambulance drivers etc because they perform duties where even immediate family members of dead persons refuse to accept their near and dear one in their final journey.

We pray for Chand Mohammad's good health and safety and stand with his family in these hours of testing time.

Syeda Miratu Zohra, Moghalpura, Hyderabad

Modi should shun doublespeak

So far, the Modi government's signature strategy has been to keep domestic politics out of foreign policy. This is demonstrated by Modi's acceptance of multilateralism in stark contrast to Donald Trump or Jair Bolsonaro.

In the months to come, we'll see New Delhi firefighting to douse the criticism from outside its borders. One can also expect greater reliance on India's time-tested diplomatic handbook pioneered by the likes of Nehru.

However, Indian policymakers must understand the limits of a short-term damage control strategy.

In this context, the Modi government should abandon the path of diplomatic doublespeak wherein public representatives and officials peddle exclusionary and sectarian narratives at home while diplomats harp on the record of Indian 'pluralism' in the capitals of the world.

A viable option is to harmonise domestic policies with international norms while acknowledging genuine criticism. To strengthen the constitutional principles of secularism and equality of all before law should be a priority in this regard.

Jaideep Goud, Hyderabad