Apropos, ‘It is possible to push electric cooking in a big way’ (April 27). The West Asian conflict has starkly illuminated India’s structural energy vulnerability, particularly its pronounced reliance on imported LPG for domestic and commercial cooking needs. Volatility in global supply chains and price escalations have severely burdened hotels, restaurants, canteens, and innumerable small food enterprises operating on fragile margins. Households, too, confront mounting expenditure pressures. India should accelerate calibrated transition towards electric cooking ecosystems, supported by dependable power infrastructure, while simultaneously scaling decentralised biogas generation. Diversification of cooking energy sources would enhance national resilience, moderate import dependence and insulate consumers from geopolitical turbulence.

N Sadhasiva Reddy

Bengaluru

Security breach

The alarming security breach at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25 is a stark reminder of the deeply volatile political climate confronting democratic societies today. That an armed assailant could penetrate the venue’s outer security perimeter during an event attended by President Donald Trump and senior officials raises serious concerns about security preparedness, even as the swift and courageous intervention of the Secret Service prevented what could have been a national tragedy. In an era of sharp polarisation, such dramatic incidents inevitably invite public scrutiny — not merely about motive, but also about how crises are politically framed. Democratic accountability demands a transparent, independent, and credible investigation into the attacker’s intent, background, and possible ideological motivations.

Vidyasagar Reddy Kethiri

Warangal, Telangana

Health insurance

Apropos ‘Cover point’ (April 27), the National Sample Survey’s latest round on household health spending highlights both progress and serious shortcomings in our health insurance framework. Coverage has widened, yet out-of-pocket costs remain high, especially for outpatient treatment, chronic ailments and care for infants and the elderly. A balanced way forward would be to develop specialised riders for chronic conditions and outpatient expenses, streamline claim processes to reduce paperwork, and foster closer coordination between public programmes and private insurers. Greater use of the survey’s granular data could also guide more responsive product design.

M Barathi

Bengaluru

Published on April 27, 2026