Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Letters urge earthquake preparedness, Hasina diplomacy, and youth action
Many people wrote letters to an Indian newspaper about big events in the world.
One big story was an earthquake in Colombia, a country in South America.
The earthquake was very strong, knocked down buildings, and sadly more than 200 people died.
The writers said countries like India should send help and that buildings should be made stronger and safer.
Another letter talked about the former Bangladesh prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, who is staying in India, and some leaders are not happy about that.
One happy letter celebrated badminton player Ashmita Chaliha, the first Indian to win a big tournament in Korea.
There was also a funny letter about a festival in Italy where a pretend politician is put in a cage and lowered into a river.
Some letters mentioned India's Independence Day theme, 'Yuva Shakti,' which means the power of young people.
The writers hope young people will help make India better by the year 2047.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10 with its epicentre near San José del Palmar, with the death toll topping 200.
Letters urge earthquake-resistant construction, early-warning systems, and public drills, with the US offering $15.5 million in aid and Mexico, Chile, and El Salvador also contributing.
Letters say the presence of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi since August 2024 and her recent virtual media interaction have strained India-Bangladesh ties, already tense over issues including Tarique Rahman's visit to China.
Ashmita Chaliha of Assam became the first Indian to win the BWF Korea Masters Super 300, beating China's fourth-seeded Han Qian Xi on August 9.
India's 80th Independence Day theme 'Yuva Shakti' targets Viksit Bharat by 2047, though one reader says youth remain disillusioned and deprived.
- Who
- Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, badminton player Ashmita Chaliha, and readers calling for action after Colombia's earthquake.
- What
- Letters to the editor cover the deadly Colombia earthquake, strained India-Bangladesh ties, Ashmita Chaliha's Korea Masters title, and the Yuva Shakti Independence Day theme.
- When
- The earthquake struck on August 10; Chaliha won on August 9; the letters appeared around August 13.
- Where
- Western Colombia (epicentre near San José del Palmar), New Delhi, and India.
- Why
- Readers want stronger disaster preparedness, smoother India-Bangladesh diplomacy, recognition for Indian sport, and attention to youth issues.
Aspirational View
Critical View
Political accountability and Italy's La Tonca ritual
Aspirational View
Satirical rituals that publicly judge politicians for civic blunders, like Italy's La Tonca festival, are a model for accountability that India could adopt.
Critical View
The ritual only dunks a body double, so it fails to affect real leaders; actual culprits must face direct consequences.
Sheikh Hasina's stay in India
Aspirational View
India should facilitate Sheikh Hasina's voluntary, safe departure to Bangladesh so New Delhi can step out of the diplomatic crossfire.
Critical View
India must reassure the Bangladeshi government over Hasina's potential return and preserve the humanitarian refuge while avoiding confrontation.
Yuva Shakti and the state of Indian youth
Aspirational View
The Yuva Shakti theme rightly celebrates the power of youth to achieve the Viksit Bharat vision by 2047.
Critical View
Indian youth remain disillusioned, facing exam paper leaks, falling employment, rising dropouts, and silenced dissent.
- Earthquake magnitude
- 7.4
- Epicentre
- Near San José del Palmar, western Colombia
- Earthquake date
- August 10
- Death toll
- Topping 200
- Affected regions
- Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas
- US aid offered
- $15.5 million
- Hasina's refuge
- In New Delhi since August 2024
- Independence Day theme
- Yuva Shakti, targeting Viksit Bharat by 2047