More tariffs
For the U.S. President, friendship with India seems to be substantially different from his presidential decisions (Front page, August 7). For all the bonhomie with New Delhi, the U.S. continues to treat India as a secondary power. India may have to accept that Mr. Trump will arm-twist countries to force them to fall in line with his policies. If New Delhi can get the tariff hike postponed it would give it elbow room to manoeuvre.
A.V. Narayanan,
Chennai
Is the U.S. trying to derail India’s economic standing? Mere expressions of verbal protest are not enough. The Government of India must respond firmly and decisively. Continued silence could have severe consequences, particularly for Indian businesses.
Gulam Rabbani,
Bajpatti, Sitamarhi, Bihar
While India and the U.S. share a strategic partnership built on mutual respect and shared values, this sort of punitive trade action risks prioritising business interests over the spirit of friendship. The U.S. should choose dialogue that honours both economic realities and the deepening bond between the two nations.
Anush D’Cunha S.J.,
Thiruvananthapuram
Nature’s warning
The ‘cloudburst’ that wreaked havoc in Uttarkashi’s Dharali and Sukhi Top areas is a reminder of the Himalayan region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. The message is clear. The region desperately needs transformation, from reactive responses to proactive resilience building. Only through such an approach can we protect the Himalayan communities while also preserving this ecosystem for future generations.
R. Sivakumar,
Chennai
Deletions, gender disparity
How can the Election Commission of India (ECI) ensure free and fair elections in Bihar when there are major issues with deletions and omissions in the electoral rolls?The ECI finds itself in a catch-22 situation. Its actions, once unquestionable, are being questioned by the Opposition and the judiciary. It will be a disaster if the ECI’s responses to the Supreme Court’s candid observations are not met with concrete replies, evidence and action (Data point, August 7).
Balasubramaniam Pavani,
Secunderabad
On the tomato
I write this letter as former Director, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology and Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Chennai. The article, “The virtues of tomato, a healthy vegetable” (‘Science’ page, July 27), was descriptive in terms of the health benefits of consuming tomatoes. But as a health-care provider, it is my duty to issue caution against some negative factors in this angel vegetable. Consumption in excess can lead to side-effects in certain individuals. These include acid reflux, allergies, digestive issues and potential kidney problems due to high potassium content. Being rich in calcium and oxalates, the tomato can induce kidney stone formation. The tomato is a nutritious gift from mother nature, but moderation is the key for good health.
Dr. M.V.S. Prakash,
Chennai
Published – August 08, 2025 12:24 am IST