Letters to the EDITOR: The Ghibli Renaissance

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 The Ghibli renaissance

The ongoing Ghibli trend, surging in 2025, reflects a fascinating intersection of nostalgia, technology, and cultural resonance. Rooted in Studio Ghibli’s iconic hand-drawn animation known for its whimsical characters, lush watercolour backgrounds, and emotive storytelling, this phenomenon has been supercharged by OpenAI’s ChatGPT image-generation tool. Launched in March 2025, the tool allows users to transform photos into Ghibli-style portraits, sparking a viral wave across social media platforms like X and Instagram.

The trend’s explosive popularity, evidenced by OpenAI’s reported addition of one million users in a single hour on March 31, stems from multiple factors. Studio Ghibli’s timeless appeal, blending fantasy with universal human themes, resonates deeply in an era craving escapism amid global uncertainties. The accessibility of AI technology has democratised this art form, once the domain of skilled animators, enabling anyone to participate. Grant Slatton, a Seattle-based engineer, catalysed its virality with a widely shared Ghibli-style family photo, amassing nearly 49 million views on X. Yet, this technological marvel has strained OpenAI’s servers, prompting temporary rate limits and highlighting society’s growing reliance on AI-driven creativity.

 However, the trend is not without controversy. Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki’s 2016 condemnation of AI as “an insult to life itself” has resurfaced, igniting ethical debates. Critics argue that mimicking Ghibli’s labour-intensive style via AI disrespects its artistic legacy, while proponents see it as a tribute broadening the studio’s reach. Privacy concerns also loom, with experts warning that uploaded photos could train AI datasets, risking data misuse.

Chandan Kumar Nath

Sorbhog, Barpeta

Aspiration for judicial reforms

In the aftermath of the discovery of a huge amount of currency notes, some half-burnt, from the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma, efforts to restore eroded faith in and glory to the judiciary by both the Central government and the Supreme Court have gained momentum. The main focus of these initiatives is on promoting transparency in the process of investigation and remedial action thereon to stamp out corruption from the judiciary in the long run.

 While the Supreme Court collegium's decision to upload Assets Liability statements of all 33 judges (one post is vacant) by April 30 and uploading materials relating to the incident on the website of the Supreme Court are major steps towards transparency, the Rajya Sabha Chairman 's initiative to revive the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act (struck down by the apex court) is also a positive step to introduce accountability, objectivity and transparency in the selection of judges by replacing the present collegium system, which is believed by many to be opaque and therefore error-prone.

It is also heartening that a few High Court Bar Associations, Allahabad and Calcutta, among others, have become vocal against the shameful incident and firmly opposed the posting of tainted judges in their respective High Courts.

 That all is not well in the judiciary is admitted by none other than former Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana, who, in a public function, had stated that people are slowly losing faith in the judiciary and emphasised the need to acknowledge and address these perceptions while formulating solutions.

It is the desire of an aspirational India that the judiciary, a vital pillar of democracy, remains above suspicion and upholds the highest standards of accountability, integrity and probity. It should be more open to the idea of public scrutiny rather than stonewalling attempts to reform on the grounds of judicial independence.

To realise this desired objective, both the executive and judiciary should be working in tandem, keeping in mind the need for judicial independence. A thriving democracy demands an independent, accountable, clean and robust legal system.

Rajib Sarma

Guwahati

Barpeta’s lost glory needs reviving            

Barpeta, a seat of Vaishnavite culture, is the working place of saints Sri Sri Sankardev, Sri Sri Madhabdev, Sri Sri Damodardev, Sri Sri Haridev and Attapurushs. Since time immemorial, Barpeta attained the glory of cultural dominance. Barpeta is also the birthplace of Dr Banikanta Kakati, the renowned scholar, Ambikagiri Raychoudhury and Prasannalal Choudhury, the acclaimed poets. Moreover, Barpeta is the birthplace of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Mahendra Mohan Choudhury, both former Chief Ministers of Assam. Barpeta is also the birthplace of many other stalwarts, including Karnel Guru Prasad Das, the inventor of the vacuum brake. Many litterateurs chose Barpeta as their working place. At present, many litterateurs from Barpeta have been able to shine in the literary field. Singers, actors, and dramatists from Barpeta also have made indelible marks in their respective fields. Many acclaimed players from Barpeta have also been performing well in different sports and games.

Barpeta is also famous for various cottage industries. But due to lack of attention from every side, the glory of Barpeta is fading, and Barpeta has failed to develop in certain areas. It is very painful that Barpeta is not connected by railway. Being the third college of Assam, Madhab Choudhury College, Barpeta, has not yet been endowed with university status, but many new colleges in the state have achieved the same. The proposed Ram Rai stadium has not yet been completed, and in every sphere Barpeta is lagging behind. We expect Barpeta to regain its lost glory.

Benudhar Das

Galiahati- No. 2, Barpeta.

Rising drug abuse among youth in Assam

Through the columns of your widely read newspaper, I would like to express my concern regarding the alarming rise in drug abuse among the youth of Assam. News of narcotic seizures and young people getting involved in drug trafficking and consumption has become disturbingly common in places like Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Nagaon. This issue is not only affecting the health and future of our young generation but also contributing to rising crime and a general sense of insecurity in society. The easy availability of substances and the influence of peer pressure, social media, and unemployment are major reasons behind this growing menace. While the Assam Police and Narcotics Control Bureau have been actively conducting raids and awareness campaigns, more needs to be done. Educational institutions, parents, and local communities must come together to create a support system for vulnerable youth. Regular counselling sessions, awareness drives, and rehabilitation programmes must be strengthened at the grassroots level.

Moreover, there is a need for stricter monitoring at state borders to prevent the inflow of drugs from neighbouring regions. A long-term, coordinated approach involving law enforcement, health services, and community participation is essential to fight this crisis. I hope your esteemed publication will continue to shed light on this issue and urge the authorities to take effective, sustained action.

Darshana Nath

Gauhati University

No Banana Republic

India is a secular democratic nation guided by its constitution. As per our constitution, any bill passed by both houses of the parliament after debate and voting becomes a law. In this regard I beg to cite two bills, namely the Abolition of Article 370 and the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), which were passed by both houses of parliament after prolonged debates where MPs from both ruling and opposition took part. Likewise, the much talked-about Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled by the ruling party in both houses of the parliament for final approval. The said bill was accepted by both houses after prolonged debate and voting and became a law, and every Indian citizen is bound to abide by this law. If someone still has any reservations against the law, he or she may approach the SC. But very alarmingly, after the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, some opposition parties along with their supporters have resorted to violence.

A Shaheen Bagh-like situation can never be allowed to be repeated at any cost. India is not a Banana Republic.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.