Trump might not have even imagined in his wildest dreams that PM Modi wouldn’t pick up his call one day. If a German newspaper is to be believed, PM Modi has been ignoring Trump’s calls for quite some time, something no other leader would dare do given his imposing stature and the significant clout that he invariably wields across the world. The grapevine has it that Modiji is so irritated with Trump’s fidgety mannerisms that he has decided to give him a slip for the time being. So far, so good.

Manish Shukla, Kota

Govt apathy

A man carried his dead newborn baby to the police station in Lakhimpur Kheri when hospital management threw the body on the roadside waiting for the capital amount to run the operation process despite getting plenty of money in advance. This reflects the apathy of the govt hospitals.  

Nadeem Aasim, Mumbai 

Explicit expletive

Call it another (dirty) feather in Trump’s overstuffed cap, but Carol Christine Fair using an Indian expletive for Trump is the ultimate ‘honour’ that one can bestow on a person who has no qualms about using the “F” word. The expletive is slang from Hindi and Urdu that’s highly informal and often offensive, depending on the context. One wonders what the interpretation will be if narrated to Trump and what his reaction will be. 

Avinash Godboley, MP

Be a friend

“Friend” Russia can help India by stopping its war with Ukraine. This can make the USA cancel its 25% penalty tariff on imports from India and might reduce the other 25% tariff too. Russia should act as “a friend in need” for India by declaring a permanent ceasefire with Ukraine and sticking only to peaceful negotiations. Also, Russia, Ukraine and the US can benefit in multiple ways by doing “prosperous mining trade (of critical minerals and metals),” instead of waging wars.

Sreelekha P.S., Telangana 

Pandemonium

This refers to the article ‘The Collapse Of Consensus In The Indian Parliament’. (August 27). The parliamentary business nowadays is losing its lustre because of frequent pandemonium. The quality of conduct in the House has reached rock bottom. The government’s undue haste in bringing out bills without discussion, the opposition’s approach towards the government, and the presiding officer’s failure in controlling the Houses raise serious concerns. The monsoon session serves as a stark warning of a disturbing trend that looks at disrupting and denting the pride of our democracy.

S.K. Sangam, Pune

Hollow words

The recent incident at Madurai, where actor-politician Vijay’s bouncers allegedly threw a fan of his, causing injuries to him, raises concerns beyond law and order. At Madurai, Vijay thundered that a lion always comes alone, yet, in reality, he appeared at the rally with a dozen bouncers shielding him from the very people he seeks to lead. This contradiction undermines his promise of accessibility. If citizens cannot approach him now, how will they reach him once he sits in office? 

Gopalaswamy J., Chennai

Pond purification

Apropos “Guruvayur Temple pond purified after reel shooting” (Aug 27). Ah, the pond hath sinned, or so say the guardians of sanctity, after a Bigg Boss alum dipped toes where only traditions may tread. The temple’s swift plunge into purification rituals suggests our rituals remain immune to modern filters. Perhaps next time influencers should carry a priest and a footnote on customs. Meanwhile, social media gets its reel, the temple its sanctity, and the pond… a very pious bath!

K. Chidanand Kumar, Bengaluru