Honouring Chola legacy
India should formally honour the Chola legacy for launching successful naval expeditions beyond India shores and establishing the Tamil influence across Southeast Asia. Getting the Indian Navy to celebrate ‘Rajendra Chola’ day would be a fitting tribute to these unmatched maritime achievements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s references to Chola military and democratic legacy rightly spotlights their enduring contributions. Their practice of Kudavolai Murai — selecting local representatives by lot — was a democratic model that was centuries ahead of its time.
The Chola overseas campaigns were not just conquests but also acts of cultural diplomacy and naval vision. Honouring the Cholas would not be symbolic alone. It would reclaim India’s proud naval heritage and inspire a forward-looking maritime spirit rooted in our own history.
Avinashiappan Myilsami,
Coimbatore
It is a matter of pride that Tamil Nadu is now home to a number of World Heritage sites. One can think of Gingee Fort along with the great Chola temples and the Mahabalipuram monuments. The only drawback at these sites is the lack of proper infrastructure. Connectivity is an issue. Pollution control too is another problem.
A.S. Thirumalai,
Chennai
Crowd management
Stampedes have become a frequent occurrence, leading to a tragic loss of lives (Front page, July 28). There needs to be comprehensive crowd control and management measures in place at all places of public gathering. There needs to be a posse of well-trained volunteers (with a specific dress code) to guide people and ensure their orderly movement.
Kosaraju Chandramouli,
Hyderabad
Published – July 29, 2025 12:24 am IST
