Letters to the Editor: Why Eknath Shinde?

Eknath Shinde is made Chief Minister of Maharashtra to recognize the Shinde-faction as the original Shiv Sena and to trivialize Thackerays. To run down Uddhav Thackeray even more, a Shiv Sainik is given the baton: this is seen by many as a cold return of the betrayal done to the BJP. Also, there's BMC (Bombay Municipal Corporation) election round the corner. The BMC is probably the richest municipality in Asia, and therefore, the stakes are higher. Eknath Shinde could perhaps sense the anger that was brewing up against the Shiv Sena on the ground. This, the "rebel" MLAs apprehended, might reflect on BMC election results where Hindutva is apparently an important issue.

Uddhav Thackeray's last decision to rename Aurangabad to Sambhaji Nagar can be seen in that light: a drowning Uddhav Thackeray clutching at Hindutva, as it were. Also, it can't be ruled out that Eknath Shinde was offered the Chief Ministerial berth beforehand, for the next 2.5 years, for pulling down the MVA Coalition Government. Last but not the least, by renunciation of CM berth BJP top-brass silenced those who always accuse BJP of engineering conflict in opposition-ruled states to grab power.

Amartya Sen,

Bongaigaon.

Subdued Wimbledon

Unlike every year, Wimbledon 2022 appears to have commenced in a somewhat subdued manner, possibly due to the reason that both the ATP and WTA have reprimanded it by stripping ranking points for the first time in the tournament's history, as players from Russia and Belurasia have been barred from taking part in Wimbledon against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war. In the absence of some big names like Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, the lustre of the most prestigious tournament of the Grand Slam is certainly missing. In fact, Wimbledon has earned more wrath worldwide, particularly because players from these two countries were still allowed to compete in other tournaments, including in the French Open this year. No doubt, winning the Wimbledon trophy will be the ultimate dream for any tennis player more than earning ranking points. But the ATP ranking system is the gold standard when it comes to men's and women's tennis, and a professional tennis player's ability is solely determined by his/her position in the rankings. Removal of ranking points in Wimbledon this year will be particularly felt by the young and upcoming players who will desperately need those points to amplify their career.

Ranganathan Sivakumar,

Chennai – 600 091.

Highly commendable

Kudos to Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd, for developing GEMCOVAC ™- 19, the first indigenously-developed mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 licensed for emergency use by the Drug Controller of India for safe and effective usage in the age group of 18 and above. It is the third mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 to receive international approval. In contrast to other mRNA vaccines, which often require sub-zero settings, Gemcovac-19 can be stored from 2 to 8 degrees.

The vaccine was certified by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) as being secure, well-tolerated, and immunogenic. mRNA vaccines function by preparing the immune system to combat the virus before becoming infected. When mRNA vaccines are administered to a person, they cause a certain type of reaction and a certain group of cells to be activated. This helps the body produce stronger antibodies and prevents the Covid infection. Genova's goal of granting low-income and middle-income nations worldwide sustainable access to the vaccine in order to slow the pandemic's spread is highly commendable.

Krishna Kumar Vepakomma,

Hyderabad – 500045.