Letters to The Editor — February 3, 2026

The Budget and the farmer

Having seen sluggish growth, falling crop yields, and mounting pressures for years, farmers believed that their plight would be addressed in the Union Budget. But, from their perspective, what they got was a failure of empathy and a missed historical opportunity. That cashew and sandalwood were chosen over concrete action for wheat, rice and pulses was strange.

The Budget has only sown the seeds of discontent and not prosperity.

R. Sivakumar,

Chennai

The Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz torpedoed the older Novak Djokovic. The four setter had disciplined rallies and big serves by both, but Alcaraz outsmarted Djokovic in all departments. Alcaraz gave us power tennis.

S. Viswanathan,

Srirangam, Tamil Nadu