I write in reference to your article Kashmiris face backlash after deadly attack on Indian forces (February 18).
The attack on an army convoy in Kashmir’s Pulwama last week was one of the worst and most tragic moments the country has encountered in its recent history.
The incident showed beyond all doubt that militancy is still a major problem in Kashmir and ordinary people, soldiers and their families continue to suffer a lot as a result.
As the whole nation unites in mourning, it has piled extra pressure on the level of tolerance in India, where many are calling for forceful action to counter extremists and even punish the Pakistani state.
Citizens of the state of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered a lot in recent years, due to continuing violence.
Eventually it starts to disturb the region’s development plans, hindering the opportunities and life chances of the younger generation.
The reality is that the world has witnessed rising levels of extremism over the past few decades but very little has been done to identify and tackle its root causes.
Young people, who are most susceptible to this sort of hatred, must be kept away from any sort of extremist propaganda, usually spread over social media.
Instead, they must be encouraged to embrace the value of peaceful co-existence.
Ramachandran Nair, Muscat
Even as adults, we have much to gain from hobbies
I refer to Justin Thomas's opinion piece There is nothing trivial about hobbies (February 19). The proposal of the Indian high school in Dubai to allocate one-and-a-half days a week for hobbies is laudable. In my native country of India, I have seen many parents encouraging their children to take up interesting, often highly educational hobbies. And once cultivated, they do not easily disappear. Many adults look back fondly on the hobbies they did as children.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Shame on the perpetrators of terrorist atrocities
I write in reference to your online article Cairo explosion: two policemen killed pursuing bomber (February 19). Explosions, mass casualties, rubble-strewn streets and destruction are becoming too common across the Middle East and further afield, while proponents of perverted ideologists appear to be on the rise. Shame on the people behind these dreadful atrocities.
Name withheld by request
