Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Readers Debate Robot Farewells, Aviation Safety and Food Waste
These letters share readers’ views on several different topics.
One reader thought a robotics company’s dramatic retirement for its robots was troubling.
Other readers praised a pilot who fought off an alleged attacker on a flight.
They want authorities to investigate how the co-pilot was hired and assigned to the flight.
One letter also praised a man who tried to protect tourists during an attack in Pahalgam.
Several readers said India should waste less food.
They suggested planning meals, storing leftovers, serving sensible portions and sharing safe extra food.
One writer also called for better information and stronger action on food waste.
A letter criticizes Figure’s decision to send retired F.02 humanoid robots into molten steel as a dramatic, Terminator-inspired farewell.
Writers say the alleged mid-flight attack on Flydubai Flight 1073 raises urgent questions about co-pilot screening, cockpit security and accountability.
Letters praise Captain Smit Machchhar for resisting the attack and protecting passengers, and describe Israel’s invitation to him as a gesture of solidarity.
Another writer highlights Syed Adil Hussain Shah’s efforts to protect tourists during the Pahalgam attack.
Several letters urge households, businesses and governments to reduce food waste and improve the use or redistribution of safe surplus food.
- Who
- Readers writing letters about Figure’s robots, the Flydubai flight incident, the Pahalgam attack and food waste.
- What
- The letters comment on a robot retirement spectacle, aviation safety and bravery, a tourist attack, and food conservation.
- When
- The letters refer to reports dated October 3 and October 5; no publication date for the letters is given.
- Where
- The topics include Calcutta, India, Israel, Oman and the Flydubai flight route, which is not specified.
- Why
- The writers aim to discuss public safety, recognize acts of courage and encourage action to reduce food waste.
- Robotics company
- Figure
- Robot model
- F.02 humanoid robots
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight 1073
- Food waste estimate
- Calcutta households may discard nearly 680 tonnes of food daily, according to a cited report.
- Food waste proposal
- The state government plans to collect safe surplus food from hotels and social functions.
- Global Hunger Index
- One letter says India ranked 102nd out of 123 countries in the 2025 index.
- Food waste per person
- One letter cites an estimate of 55 kilograms wasted per person each year in India.