Rail travel
The Indian Railways have to make concerted efforts to improve passenger safety. But there is another issue: ensuring that passengers do not face situations that cause their discomfiture and endanger the safety of their belongings. Very often, one finds reserved compartments being invaded by ‘passengers’ who do not have reserved tickets. There are also vendors and vagrants who take advantage of the indifference of railway staff. The plight of passengers in unreserved compartments is even worse. The authorities must ensure that every passenger has a happy and safe journey.
S. Soundararajan,
Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu
The Trump approach
It is quite clear from U.S. President Donald Trump’s pronouncements and executive decisions that he wants to run the U.S. government like a business enterprise. But he should know that even business enterprises have what is called ‘corporate social responsibility’. Promoting the U.S. as a world leader in every sense of the word requires its leader to play the role of a real global leader. He must help multilateral organisations intended for the welfare of humanity and the environment to function in a harmonious manner.
Manjeet Singh Sandhu,
Amritsar, Punjab
Elephant in well, its rescue
A report on the drama around the rescue of a tusker that had fallen into a well in Malappuram district in Kerala (January 24) indicates growing friction in the man-wildlife relationship and shrinking sentient ethics. At the root of the problem lies deforestation, mining, poaching, agricultural expansion, climate change, the dumping of waste in forest areas and colonisation along elephant corridors. We need a multifaceted solution including widespread afforestation drives, focusing on sustainable development, safeguarding elephant corridors, installing ‘bee buzzers’ in fields and roping in local people in conservation.
R. Srivatsan,
Chennai
It was shocking that there was vehement resistance by local residents, with a political leader saying that ‘the elephant should be buried alive’. People should be more co-operative during such critical situations.
Monita Sutherson,
Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu
Had the elephant been a human, would it have evoked the same cruel sentiments? People should not forget that elephants face dire situations due to human activities.
Hema Kanekar,
Mumbai
Published - January 25, 2025 12:24 am IST
