Flipped script
Sir — In Haryana, the hunter became the hunted. Across India, the police have been routinely rounding up activists before major protests. Yet, when officers marched into Kabilpur village at dawn, the locals flipped the script on them. The police intended to detain a zilla parishad member to stop him from joining the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest at Jantar Mantar. Instead, hundreds of villagers surrounded and detained the officers. This incident is a reminder that while administration-led crackdowns are becoming commonplace, sometimes they can also backfire if citizens decide to collectively stand their ground.
Indira Sen,
Hooghly
Women on wheels
Sir — Reliable public transport is essential for women’s access to work and education (“Unequal trips”, Oct 8). The recently released National Household Travel Survey, a nationwide study of travel patterns, should guide improvements. Cities should expand electric bus services and provide connecting buses, shared autorickshaws and safe footpaths near metro and railway stations. Better lighting, trained security staff and prompt responses to harassment complaints should support women’s safety. Services reserved for women may provide additional options. Urban planning should include continuous footpaths
and safe cycle routes so
that people can complete
everyday journeys
safely.
Bal Govind,
Noida
Sir — Inexpensive travel can help women reach workplaces and seek employment further from home. Free bus travel for women, offered in several Indian states, can reduce commuting costs. Overcrowding, irregular services and uncertain waiting times can still make daily journeys difficult. Transport authorities should increase bus frequency, publish reliable timetables and improve connections between residential areas and workplaces. Safe footpaths and
well-lit bus stops also deserve attention. These measures would make
public transport more dependable and give women greater freedom to choose where they work.
Jayanta Datta,
Hooghly
Sir — Free bus travel can reduce financial barriers for women who have limited control over household spending. It can make journeys to school, work and social activities more affordable. Safety requires equal attention, particularly on crowded buses where passengers may face harassment. Transport authorities should provide frequent services, train staff to respond to complaints and ensure effective reporting procedures. Buses reserved for women could offer an additional option where demand supports them. Any allocation of reserved seats should reflect passengers’ needs and improve access.
Vinay Asawa,
Howrah
Sir — Transport planning should address differences in women’s and men’s journeys to work. The National Household Travel Survey, a nationwide study of travel patterns, found that 41.9% of female workers travelled more than one kilometre to work compared with 61.9% of male workers. These figures warrant closer examination of women’s access to employment and transport. Two-wheelers accounted for 42.6% of commuting workers’ main transport choices. Public investment should provide affordable, reliable services that help women reach workplaces safely and expand their employment options.
S.S. Paul,
Nadia
Friend in need
Sir — India’s diplomatic engagement could help advance peace talks between Russia and Ukraine (“Positive step”, Oct 9). Its longstanding defence and energy ties with Russia provide channels for discussion with Moscow. Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s foreign minister, has welcomed India’s peace proposals, while Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, has praised Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, for his efforts to end the war. These responses offer scope for further dialogue. India should pursue practical agreements to reduce hostilities and protect civilians. Progress will depend on the willingness of Russia and Ukraine to negotiate and honour their commitments.
N. Sadhasiva Reddy,
Bengaluru
Sir — Recent diplomatic statements offer an opportunity for further talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin praised Narendra Modi for proposing a peaceful solution. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, has expressed willingness to meet Putin at the forthcoming G20 Summit. India should use its contacts with Russia and Ukraine to encourage negotiations and practical measures to protect civilians.
Khokan Das,
Calcutta
Sir — Protecting civilians and essential infrastructure should be a priority in efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Russian attacks have damaged Ukrainian energy facilities and disrupted daily life. Ukraine has also struck targets in Russia, including oil refineries. India has advocated dialogue and diplomacy to end the fighting. Its diplomatic contacts could help encourage negotiations.
Aranya Sanyal,
Siliguri