Letters to the Editor: Worrisome foursome

India is full of people who come to TV and other media platforms and advise the citizens on various topics. While delivering their so-called 'gyans', they forgot to look at themselves. In recent years, there were plenty who came and vanished and out of these so many I have figured out four people whom I have clubbed as a worrisome foursome. The first case is actor Shahrukh Khan. His son is a druggie who was recently caught red-handed by the Narcotics department but Shahrukh Khan is never shy of giving lessons on BYJU (an online learning portal). Had he given his son proper education and morals his son would not have gone haywire. The second case is Shilpa Shetty Kundra, whose husband Raj Kundra was arrested by cops for making porn movies but his veteran actress is so bold to appear in front of the TV screen to give lectures on yoga and culture. Sounds crazy. The third case is actor Salman Khan who is guilty of endangered blackbuck hunting but he teaches his fans and followers about being Human. The last one is Aamir Khan, a man who always feels insecure in India but over the years has earned name, fame and fortune in India. In a TV show titled 'Satyamev Jayate', he addressed many social issues of various communities of the nation, even not shying away from criticizing Hindu's rituals and beliefs. The funny part about that person is what he preached about marriage and family life on his TV show, he violated all the advice by going for three marriages. India is incredible and there are many like the above mentioned worrisome foursome who make the great country more incredible!

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.

Virat Kohli

Whenever the talk of Indian cricket captains will arise in test cricket, Virat Kohli's name will be up there, not only for results but the kind of impact he had as a captain. But just one day short of four months, Virat having announced his decision of stepping down for the second time, this time from the mother of the cricket Test format. In between, he was removed as ODI captain by the BCCI. Kohli's announcement came not only a day after India suffered an embarrassing Test series defeat against South Africa but also at a time when his relationship with the BCCI is so strained that he preferred to announce his decision on social media.

For seven years, especially for the last five years with Ravi Shastri by his side, Kohli's power had grown immeasurably in Indian cricket. He did what he wished, almost. Talk of the town, if Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo in politics, then Ravi Shastri-Virat Kohli duo in cricket. Both pairs (politicians and cricketers) are India's most aggressive and successful. Of late, the inevitable sizing down has happened. Kohli lost Shastri, quit his T20 captaincy, lost his ODI role, and now has quit Test captaincy. Immediately after his announcement, BCCI congratulated Virat Kohli for his admirable leadership qualities that took the Test team to unprecedented heights. He led India in 68 matches and has been the most successful captain with 40 wins (58.7%).

Interestingly, the way Kohli played the second innings of the last test showed (added just 29 runs to his name in 143 balls) he already decided to quit the captaincy. He played as if he was mimicking someone else's style and not in his style. So the writing was clear on the wall. For many cricket lovers, Kohli has been an excellent batsman but not an ideal leader. Moreover, in the third Test in his last series as captain, Kohli was at the centre of controversy against Proteas as he vented his anger into the stump mic after a close DRS call for LBW went in favour of opposition skipper Dean Elgar.

Moreover, Kohli's present form is nowhere close to his peak. As the premier batsman of the team, he has not scored a century for almost 3 years now and failed in the crucial moment just like the second innings of this Test, hence if he doesn't focus on his batting and rediscover his form there will be questions on the continuity of Virat the batsman also. We wish him a long journey ahead as an accomplished batsman. Even all these ifs and buts BCCI secretary Shah very correctly said, "Virat turned the team into a ruthless fit unit that performed admirably both in India and away. The Test wins in Australia & England have been special." How one forgets that this controversial Kohli led India to the top of world rankings and during his tenure, the team recorded a memorable series win in Australia.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,

Faridabad 121005.

Street food initiative

In most cities and towns though people go and have their food from hotels and restaurants many prefer having a snack or drink at food stalls, kiosks and vendors who cater delicious food items at no extra cost. The items made are often tasty and food lovers like to please their taste buds by indulging themselves at these vendors stalls on the street, tasting a variety of food of their choice.

Though many of these are well maintained and gourmet-friendly some fail, especially because of lack of hygiene and also because food safety tips are not followed faithfully. In foreign countries, street food has been a part of city life and as rules, regulations and norms adhere to complaints regarding food poisoning, health problems and as such is less.

In India, the streets of our towns and cities are studded and abuzz with street food vendors and stalls and foodies and tourists often make a beeline to these stalls to have a taste of the authentic taste of the food prepared there. Food lovers and tourists believe that if a taste of the cuisine of a particular region has to be felt it is definitely street food. They also swear that except for most of the street food vendors most maintain hygiene and cater fresh food, unlike costly restaurants, because for a street food vendor it is his livelihood and will never risk that with his business. Recently 'Eat Street -a night food court initiative', was inaugurated by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation. The Eat Street project was developed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.40 crore for the public to relish quality food at night. The food court will start its service at 10.30 pm after all the other hotels and restaurants in the city are closed. These street food hubs will be at the main centres of the city for the people to enjoy authentic quality food in a good and pleasant atmosphere. With the support of VMC, Eat Street is designed in a typical foreign style.

M Pradyu,

Kannur