This is with reference to ‘IT’s opaque’ (February 17). The editorial rightly calls out the trust deficit created by Indian IT firms projecting optimism while their financials and hiring trends tell a different story. Three years of muted growth and falling headcounts suggest AI disruption is not just another cycle. It may fundamentally reshape the industry. Leaders must move beyond jargon and disclose how AI is impacting both legacy and new businesses. As the example of TCS shows, its annualised AI revenue of $1.8 billion represents just six per cent of its total, leaving the bigger picture obscured. Employees, investors and educators need clarity, not spin. Transparency now is not just ethical. It is strategic for long term credibility.

K Chidanand Kumar

Bengaluru

Opaque working

It is rather unfortunate that after over four decades of doing IT work (not cutting edge technology or innovation), the Indian IT industry seems to be in dire straits. Just a few weeks of public discourse on the AI narrative has wiped out millions in investor wealth. Sadly Indian IT has not even moved beyond IT services to IT solutions for their customers, leave alone adopting AI tools to improve efficiency and cost for customers. Many argue that Indian IT will adapt, as in the past, and come out winners. They ought to remember that this time it is different.

V Vijaykumar

Pune

Coconut development

This refers to ‘Coconut sector gets a policy boost’ (February 17). It is comforting to see that in recent years agriculture has been getting more attention from the Centre. For various reasons, plantation crops and particularly coconut was not a priority till recently. There was a deliberate campaign against coconut oil supported by rich marketing lobbies. During the last decade, Kerala has been giving less priority to increasing coconut production while neighbouring States were increasing area under coconut cultivation with government support for increasing productivity and boosting export of processed products.

Even with limited geographical area under coconut production, southern States should take full advantage of the Budget support offered by the Centre in 2026-27.

MG Warrier

Mumbai

Emission control

This refers to ‘As Trump sheds climate rules, China’s emissions start to fall’ (February 17). Despite being one of the largest emitters of carbon, China has been taking appreciable initiatives in the recent past, like faster adoption of EVs of all types, clean power generation and framing stronger policies for protecting the environment. On the contrary, the US has been taking aggressive steps in increasing production of coal, gas and fossil fuels and dismantling the structure built around Paris agreements. India’s approach has been mixed. While trying to reduce carbon emission through climate-friendly initiatives, it’s also increasing fossil fuel imports.

RV Baskaran

Pune

Published on February 17, 2026