MyVoice: Views of our readers 19th July 2025
This has reference to the article 'Why drones and AI can't quickly find missing flood victims'. Over the decades all types of calamities are handled by human beings. As a result, there has been a repeat of the sequences and methods. During such calamities, the government and social service organizers do their best to bring such situations to normal. However, the mental agonies of people who lose their properties and kin continue as no one can heal it. When Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones must work efficiently they shall be fed with a lot of information which is time-consuming. Human Intelligence had been in vogue for over centuries and suppressing human intelligence is unwise. Technical experts need to test and experiment the AI and drones that are used during calamities. Those found with a success rate that is above 70 per cent shall be certified for use. One should know that in Shankar's film 'Robot' all such practical problems are duly addressed. Let us welcome the efficient machinery for all pericytial works.
Gudipati Anirudh, Secunderabad-11
Hyd's clean city ranking is a sham
I am not only amused but also shocked that Hyderabad has secured the sixth rank in the Swachh Survekshan 2025-25 cleanest city list as evolved by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The report card mentions 100 per cent in door-to-door collection of waste which is a totally bogus claim. Residents are paying anywhere between Rs 100 and 150 (in some places it may be Rs 50-75) to waste collectors but they are mostly irregular and sometimes absent for more than two days. After GHMC had done away with garbage bins at various points, the situation has worsened as residents have no idea where to put waste accumulated during their absence. On such days, street dogs have a field day and enter houses to look for leftover food. It is better to stop this bogus ranking system (Hyd sixth cleanest city among 40 with population of over 10 lakh) and officials who have gone to receive the award should introspect whether the city is clean.
N Nagarajan, Hyderabad
We need unity, not uniformity
This is in reference to the article 'Hindi & politics of Regionalism' (July 18), which rightly highlights the misuse of language identity for political gains. Politicization of Hindi imposition, especially during elections, distracts from real governance issues like education, health, and employment. India's strength lies in its diversity — linguistic, regional, and cultural. The idea of promoting Hindi should never mean suppressing other languages. Language must be a bridge, not a barrier. The need of the hour is not uniformity, but unity through mutual respect and equal promotion of all Indian languages.
Chetan Malvi, Raipur
A welcome eco-friendly KMF initiative
Nandini Milk, Karnataka Milk Federation's (KMF) popular brand, is set to transform its milk packets into eco-friendly ones in the coming days. The new biodegradable milk packets are made from corn starch, sugarcane and other plant-based materials. Unlike conventional polythene packets that take over 500 years to decompose, these eco-friendly alternatives break down naturally within 90 days and can even be converted into organic fertiliser. All the cooperative dairy farms in other states should take cue from KMF to aid a sustainable environment.
Nagendra Kumar Vempalli, Bengaluru
Best ranking ever for Hyd
Kudos to Hyderabad for securing the sixth rank in the national Swachh Survekshan 2024 survey, its highest-ever position among over 4,500 cities across India. The GHMC has rightly earned recognition as the 'most promising clean city' of Telangana. Through consistent efforts in door-to-door waste collection, cleanliness of residential and market areas, effective dump-site remediation, and maintaining hygiene around water bodies and public toilets, the city has demonstrated remarkable improvement in urban sanitation. Additionally, Hyderabad is set to join the elite '7-Star Garbage-Free' cities, apart from having earned the 'water plus' certification for the fourth consecutive time. These achievements are a tribute to the collective dedication of sanitation workers, civic officials, and citizen participation.
Dr Krishna Kumar Vepakamma, Hyderabad-45
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
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O'Sullivan travelled to India last month to brief Indian officials on the EU's latest sanctions package, which listed Vadinar refinery, jointly owned by Russian energy major Rosneft, and included an import ban on refined products made from Russian crude. According to the documents reviewed by HT, an investigation by Ukrainian authorities established that electronic components from Vishay Intertechnology and Aura Semiconductor – either assembled or made in India – were 'used by Russia in the production of the Shahed 136' UCAVs. The documents provided detailed information and images of specific components. A 'bridge rectifier E300359' of Vishay Intertechnology assembled in India was used in the Shahed's voltage regulator unit, while a PLL-based signal generator AU5426A chip made by Aura Semiconductor was used in the jammer-proof antenna for the drone's satellite navigation system, according to the documents. The people said, purely on a technical basis, the firms have not violated any Indian laws. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to a query on the matter by saying: 'India's exports of dual-use items are in keeping with its international obligations on non-proliferation, and based on its robust domestic legal and regulatory framework. Due diligence is conducted to ensure that such exports do not violate any of our laws.' There was no official word on the matter from the Ukrainian embassy in New Delhi. However, Ukraine's defence intelligence directorate or HUR has reported about the Indian-origin components found in Shahed drones on its official Facebook page and Telegram channel. Several requests for a comment from Vishay Intertechnology, a US-based manufacturer of chips, optoelectronics and sensors, elicited no reply. Kishore Ganti, co-founder of Aura Semiconductor Pvt Ltd, the Bengaluru-based subsidiary of Ningbo Aura Semiconductor Co, said the firm ensures its products are used lawfully and ethically, and fully complies with all applicable national and international export control laws. 'We are deeply disturbed by the possibility that any of our components may have reached defence manufacturers through unauthorised third-party channels, in violation of our stated compliance framework and distribution agreements. We strongly oppose such activity and are committed to taking action wherever compliance gaps are identified,' Aura Semiconductor said in a statement. Ganti said that on becoming aware of the use of an 'Aura buffer product' in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Aura undertook a limited audit to understand the end-use for the item in question. 'However, the findings of the audit were inconclusive with respect to supply chain/end-user visibility of the Aura buffer product,' Ganti said. The component is a 'plug-and-play' one and can be used without dependence on Aura for any kind of support, 'making it difficult for Aura to trace the end users in this instance', Ganti added. The people cited above said there were instances of electronic components made in India being legally exported to destinations in West Asia, from where they were diverted to Russia or Iran. After Ukraine raised the matter, representatives of Indian security agencies visited manufacturers of electronic components and chips in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai to sensitise them about international restrictions related to dual-use items, the people said. The Shahed, a relatively inexpensive drone, has been used in large numbers by Russia to target Ukraine since late 2022. According to Ukraine's Security Service or SBU, Iran initially supplied 2,000 fully assembled drones to Russia, which later established its own assembly system using Iranian ready-made parts. Data from Ukraine's air force showed Russia launched 6,129 Shahed-type drones in July. Ukraine's defence intelligence directorate has also reported that electronic components from firms in the US and China have been found on Russian drones and other weapons. Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), said the components may have been diverted by foreign buyers to Iran through third countries. 'India strictly prohibits the export of dual-use items to sanctioned destinations. However, once such goods are exported to legitimate third countries, tracing their end use becomes nearly impossible – a challenge every open economy faces,' he said. These incidents underline the need for India to strengthen exporter awareness, especially in sensitive sectors, Srivastava said. 'Exporters must be better informed about high-risk geographies and flagged entities. But no system, however rigorous, can guarantee full control once goods leave Indian borders,' he added. 'Export compliance must be enforced, but blame must not be misdirected.'
Time of India
2 hours ago
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United News of India
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- United News of India
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