No compromise on safety

It is deeply unfortunate that fires continue to engulf commercial complexes across India, with faulty electrical wiring and leakages emerging as perennial culprits. The tragedy in Lucknow’s Aliganj area (Front page, June 23) once again exposes the criminal negligence that has become all too routine. Wiring standards for commercial establishments remain outdated, poorly enforced and often bypassed through corruption or sheer incompetence. Agencies responsible for public safety — including the electrical inspectorate, urban development authorities, fire services and local municipal bodies — must be held accountable. A nationwide review and comprehensive overhaul of wiring standards is urgently needed.

A. Thirugnanasambantham,

Coimbatore

Sushruta statue

It was gratifying to read that a bronze statue of Maharishi Sushruta — revered as the Father of Surgery — has been unveiled at The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. It would be truly inspirational to have well-sculpted statues of the sage surgeon in centres of science and medicine across India. Tu Youyou, who was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for synthesising a life-saving antimalarial based on cues from traditional Chinese medicine, affirmed that cultural legacies inspire scientific work. “Let us reach to a greater height to appreciate Chinese culture and find the beauty and treasure in the territory of traditional Chinese medicine!” she said.

Dr. G.L. Krishna,

Bengaluru