Letters to The Editor — October 18, 2025

Celebrations and crackers

The bursting of crackers, especially during festivals such as Deepavali, only doubles the resultant harmful effects in terms of air pollution and mounting garbage. I happened to witness a fireworks celebration in Switzerland during their national day. Scheduled for late in the evening, on the banks of the Rhine, it was well organised. Organising such shows especially during festivals such as Deepavali could help slowly delink individuals from their craze to burst firecrackers.

Dr. V. Purushothaman,

Chennai

The recent order, permitting the use of firecrackers, appears to be more like a face-saving move by the judiciary, aware that a complete ban would have been widely defied. It must be remembered that Deepavali was celebrated with diyas and lights — not with deafening crackers that pollute the air. Bursting crackers is cruelty disguised as festivity, tormenting animals, the elderly and the sick. People must rise above newer ‘interpretations’ of traditions and embrace a green Deepavali.

R.S. Narula,

Patiala, Punjab

Pause and think

Google’s $15 billion investment in an India AI hub has stirred national pride — and rightly so. Yet, we must ask whether we are truly preparing minds to match machines, or merely training technicians for tomorrow’s code. Our education system still produces degree holders, not critical thinkers capable of ethical judgment. AI without moral intelligence risks deepening inequality and widening social divides. Innovation without introspection may create a smarter India, but not necessarily a wiser one.

Hasnain Rabbani,

Mumbai