MyVoice: Views of our readers 12th January 2021

The Covaxin politics

Chhattisgarh state is well within its right when it pooh-poohs the use of Covaxin in the absence of phase 3 trial data. Like many things in India, the science of vaccine approval too has also been made the politics of chest-thumping nationalism. The hasty nod given to the vaccine has raised eyebrows of the scientists and healthcare experts about a public rollout of a not-fully tested product. There is each and every reason to panic that the hastiest and most hurried launch of drug may culminate in dangerous developments.

E Sethuramalingam, Kollam

A controversial draw to Sydney Test

Racism rearing its head again in Australia with a hostile crowd at Sydney cricket ground targeting Indian players and in particular Siraj and Bumrah by hurling racist abuses during the third test between India and Australia. As racism and heckling of players is rampant even after several complaints in the past.

However Cricket Australia coming out with a statement that abuse of cricketers by the crowd is unacceptable and going ahead with investigation into the whole episode is a step the right direction but it must be followed by taking strict action against the culprits so that such ugly incidents do not recur in order to keep aloft the spirit of the gentleman's game.

As India team played with grit throughout, in the end, valiant fight back by Hanuma Vihari and Ashwin ensured a draw in the racism marred test. Overall, it can be said that it is a "victory for India in draw" with a reminder to Australia that there is no place for racism in today's civilised society.

K R Srinivasan, Secunderabad

India shows its mettle

A great fight back from Indian cricket team at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) with injuries to its many players. After conceding big first innings lead to Aussies in the first innings nobody expected to turn around the things for India in the second innings especially when Jadeja, Pant, Vihari etc., got injured.

Most of the time we appreciate a player for scoring 100 + runs. For a change let's appreciate the players for surviving 100+ balls (Pujara - 200+ Balls, Pant - 110+ Balls, Vihari - 160+ Balls, Ashwin - 120+ Balls) on the final day of the test match against world class bowling of Kangaroos. It is astonishing that both wicket keepers Saha (Sub) & Pant excelled in the same match, one behind and the other in front of the stumps.

V Nagendra Kumar, Hyderabad

Ensure data security

It is a matter of grave concern that The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has objected to the new WhatsApp privacy policy through which all kinds of personal data, payment transactions, contacts, location, and other vital information of a person who is using WhatsApp will be acquired by itself and can be used for any purpose by WhatsApp. The mobile applications have enabled users to access information and services smoothly, but its providers create trouble by misusing the subscriber's personal data for different purposes. The Government has also constituted laws to ensure cybersecurity. The need of the hour is that the Government should develop a strong mechanism to secure the personal data of people and ban such applications that are not following the laws. People need to be aware and adopt safeguards for data security.

Amit Singh Kushwaha, Satna (MP)

Need for healthy democracy

The editorial of Jan 11 brought out to the fore, the aspects that mar and stand in the way of healthy democracy in the country, owing to a single party rule in the state, with no worthwhile Opposition in place to question. The dillydallying on conduction of local body election in Andhra Pradesh on the pretext of Covid situation, and the Covid vaccine roll out in the country is farcical. Elections in several states had taken place even during the peak Covid time, like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, J&K and Kerala. The recently held local body elections in Kerala, were conducted in three phases in the state, with efficiency, by following rules prescribed under Covid precautions.

Another reason cited for the deferment of the poll in Andhra Pradesh as the grapevine is that the ruling party is rather nervous to have these elections at this juncture as the public mood is clearly against the establishment for series of temple discretions that the state has witnessed in the recent times. Perhaps the Jagan government took cue from the setback that the TRS suffered in the GHMC polls, in the aftermath of the floods in Hyderabad, in which the TRS came a cropper, giving more elbow room for the BJP to reconsolidate its position from the humble 4 to 48.

It is impossible to imagine Indian electoral scenario without being overshadowed by caste, religion and cash equations. But, the freebies and sops alone cannot give a strong and sustained administration, about which the electorate must be educated in choosing a talented and efficient candidate during the election.

K V Raghuram, Wayanad