Fuel price hike?

This refers to the news report ‘No plan yet to raise petrol, diesel prices: Oil Ministry’ (April 23).

Notwithstanding the Oil Ministry’s clarification of no proposal for a petrol and diesel price hike after April 29, the concluding day of the ongoing assembly polls, media speculation of a hike may come true.

With current stalemate in the Iran war, a fuel price hike cannot be ruled out. .

SK Gupta

New Delhi

Meaningful internships

This refers to ‘Final year students can now apply under PMIS’ (April 23). The PM Internship Scheme now includes final-year students, and it aims to improve job readiness. This move links academic learning with early industry exposure across sectors.

However, many internships still focus on routine tasks, so meaningful skill development often remains limited.

Therefore, a structured model with clear goals and mentor review can improve outcomes. Internships should build real skills, so students gain meaningful benefit.

S Balasubramaniyan

Villupuram, TN

IMF caution

Apropos the Editorial ‘Major undercurrents’ (April 23), the dichotomy of the US economy is glaring. With 126 per cent public debt, 7-8 per cent government deficit and supplier of world’s primary currency and world’s dollar reserves at $13.44 trillion, it does not augur well to depend on US collaboration.

The Trump tariffs and West Asian turbulence have changed the world order for the worse. The IMF must suggest the solutions.

Vinod Johri

Delhi

Need for hybrid model

Apropos “Importance of Insurance Agents” (April 26), life insurance has always been a supply-push product, with agents as its foundation. They create demand, build trust, and guide families through complex decisions — roles digital platforms cannot replace.

The future, however, is not agents versus digital, but agents with digital.

Tomorrow’s agents will be financial coaches and community advisors, equipped with dashboards and mobile tools to combine speed with human connection. Digital platforms will handle lead generation and onboarding; agents will focus on advisory and claims support.

The winning strategy is clear: empower agents with digital tools. Insurers that blend technology with human touch will outperform those relying solely on either channel.

Roy Markose

Thiruvananthapuram

Published on April 23, 2026