Letters to the Editor dated May 23, 2025

Yunus on a sticky wicket

With reference to the news report ‘Bangladesh’s interim govt chief Yunus mulls resignation: Repor’ (May 23), the Bangladesh interim government’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus saying that he would not be able to work in the country’s current situation as political parties failed to reach a common ground, is a reflection of his failures.

In fact, he should blame none but himself for his ‘partisan’ role vis-a-vis Sheikh Hasina.

He also banned her Awami League Party. Moreover, he seems to be at loggerheads with Bangladesh Army Chief too, who has asked him (Yunus) to hold elections by December. It’s time he put in his papers.

Kumar Gupt

Panchkula (Haryana)

Downgrade fallout

Apropos the Editorial ‘America downgrade’ (May 23), Moody’s downgrade of US sovereign credit rating is startling. That the US sits on a voluminous debt of $36.2 trillion as on date is alarming.

The sovereign debt itself amounts to 123 per cent of the country’s GDP. Though the report says that the fiscal deficit is down to $41.83 trillion in 2024 from a high of $43.1 trillion, still, it forms 7 per cent of GDP is quite disconcerting.

Successive US governments have failed to take measures to arrest the growing debt.

Despite these odds, Dollar is still the favourite reserve currency and the preferred medium of global trade, the negotiating countries under FTA can take the advantage of the mark down in the value of treasuries to derive maximum benefit.

RV Baskaran

Chennai

Banu-Bhasthi’s victory

The Booker prize awarded to Banu Mushtaq will give a fresh impetus not just to writers in Kannada but all regional languages.

However credit is due to Deepa Bhasthi; without whose English translation, her work would never have been known to the outside world.

English language is a window to the world and we need more translations and translators to showcase our literary talents to the world. Congrats to both, Banu and Bhasthi for their Booker victory.

Anthony Henriques

Mumbai

Published on May 23, 2025