Letters to The Editor — July 18, 2026

Silence is not governance

The report on Sonam Wangchuk’s deteriorating health on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike is deeply concerning (Front page, July 17). While the Delhi High Court’s intervention ordering regular medical monitoring is praiseworthy, judicial band-aid is not a permanent solution. A democracy must listen to its citizens, not merely monitor their vital signs as they fade away.

Prisha Jedidah Naysa,

Hyderabad

Wangchuk is not a political activist seeking power; he is a reformer demanding accountability for a broken examination system that has betrayed young Indians. The government’s continued silence is not just indifference; it is a refusal to engage with legitimate dissent. The executive must now show the courage to talk, not just monitor. A man’s life hangs in the balance, and the nation is watching whether this government values dialogue over silence, or silence over a life.

K. Chidanand Kumar,

Bengaluru

The objective of achieving developed nation status by 2047 requires a strategic emphasis on innovation across all sectors, underpinned by comprehensive reforms in the education system. The recommendations presented in the Editorial page article (July 17) are pertinent. Advancement is not possible without a responsive and sensitive system. It is imperative that citizens adopt independent and thoughtful perspectives for the benefit of society.

Dr. Prakash Airani Kalathil,

Pune

Green shift

India’s push for E-20 fuel is a vital step, but the ground reality presents a dual challenge for the average consumer: the higher cost of ethanol-blended fuel and its lower energy density compared to conventional petrol.

The environmental and macroeconomic benefits are clear, but for blending to be sustainable, advancements in engine optimisation and price subsidies are essential to ensure that the transition does not unfairly burden the commuter.

J. Balasurya,

Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu

S. Janaki

I would urge the Philatelic Bureau and the Department of Posts, Government of India, to issue a special commemorative postage stamp, along with a detailed information sheet, in S. Janaki’s honour. Such a tribute would be a fitting recognition of her invaluable contributions to Indian music and culture.

M. Sampath Kumar,

Erode, Tamil Nadu

Sir Garfield Sobers

With Sir Garfield Sobers’ passing goes the game’s most complete chapter. Barbados and the West Indies have lost not just a cricketer but also a symbol of an entire generation’s pride. His 365 not out and six sixes in an over remain benchmarks that even today’s data-driven game struggles to match. What set him apart was versatility, not brilliance confined to one discipline alone. In an age of specialists, he did everything, and did it well. Young all-rounders across the Caribbean and beyond, including in India, would do well to study his career, not just his statistics.

A. Myilsami,

Coimbatore