
Letters to The Editor — June 20, 2025
Trump's claims
United States President Donald Trump's repeated claims over Operation Sindoor are a clear indication that Mr. Trump is unsure of himself (Page 1, 'India will never accept a mediation: PM to Trump', June 29). The American President's claims are only a ploy to assume importance and proclaim that he is very influential in shaping world events.
C.G. Kuriakose,
Kothamangalam, Kerala
The ideal setting
We need to thank the central government for implementing a new rule standardising air-conditioner temperature between 20° C and 28° C. When air conditioners are set at unnecessarily low temperatures, they work harder, drawing more power, leading to higher bills and faster wear and tear. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), every 1° C increase in an air-conditioner set point can cut energy consumption by up to 6%.
A modest adjustment in set points may seem inconsequential in the face of India's vast cooling challenge. Yet, when 'multiplied across millions of units in households and offices nationwide, it signals a quiet revolution — one that can help secure a cooler, greener, and more sustainable future for all. The government's move reflects the need to optimise our response in ways that are technically sound and socially just'.
R. Sivakumar,
Chennai
Paddy procurement
I am writing this letter to highlight the poor state of the paddy procurement management system in Bargarh district of Odisha. Farmers are facing numerous difficulties due to delays in procurement, the lack of transparency, and inadequate support from the authorities concerned. The situation is causing significant hardship to the farming community. Timely procurement is crucial for our livelihood, but the system is not running smoothly, resulting in financial losses and distress among farmers.
Mukesh Kumar Sahu,
Bijepur, Bargarh, Odisha

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump wants a Nobel Prize: These four US Presidents including Obama had received it
As U.S. President Donald Trump continues to publicly express frustration over not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize, he has once again pointed to his self-claimed diplomatic successes as proof of deserving the world's most prestigious peace honour. As of date only four US Presidents and one Vice President has been recognised with the honour since its inception. Each of them earned the prize under vastly different historical circumstances, often after significant international consensus and, at times, long-standing public service. Theodore Roosevelt (1906) The first U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. He was honoured for mediating the peace settlement between Russia and Japan through the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the 1904–05 Russo-Japanese War. Also Read: 'I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the war between India and Pakistan': Trump does it again Live Events Roosevelt's intervention was significant in halting hostilities in East Asia and marked a turning point in U.S. global diplomacy. Despite the award, critics of the time questioned Roosevelt's broader imperialist policies. Woodrow Wilson (1919) In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson was awarded the Peace Prize for his role in ending World War I and founding the League of Nations, the first global intergovernmental organisation aimed at maintaining peace. Although Wilson's vision helped shape the post-war order, the U.S. Senate refused to ratify the treaty, and the U.S. never joined the League. The prize, presented in 1920, reflected both Wilson's aspirations and the limitations of U.S. isolationism at the time. Jimmy Carter (2002) Former President Jimmy Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002—21 years after leaving office. The Nobel Committee recognised his decades-long work in advancing human rights, promoting democracy, and facilitating peaceful conflict resolution globally. His post-presidency work through Also Read: 6 times in one post- Trump brings up Nobel Peace Prize again and again The Carter Center, including efforts in global disease eradication and free elections, contributed to the honour. Carter had earlier facilitated the 1978 Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel during his presidency. Barack Obama (2009) Barack Obama was awarded the Peace Prize in 2009, less than a year into his presidency. The Nobel Committee cited his 'extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples' and for promoting nuclear non-proliferation. However, the decision sparked global debate, with critics pointing to his limited record at the time. The prize was seen by many as an encouragement for future action rather than a reward for past achievement. Al Gore (2007) Although not a U.S. president, former Vice President Al Gore was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, shared with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The prize recognised their joint efforts in raising awareness about global warming and pushing for action against climate change. Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth and his international campaigning were central to the award. Trump's case President Trump has been nominated multiple times, for the 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2024 Peace Prizes, for a series of diplomatic moves, including the Abraham Accords , which normalised ties between Israel and several Arab states, and his summit diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In 2025, U.S. Representative Darrell Issa officially nominated Trump for the prize. Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration over not receiving the award. In his latest social media post, Trump said, 'No, I won't get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do, including Russia/Ukraine, and Israel/Iran, whatever those outcomes may be, but the people know, and that's all that matters to me.' He also referenced his claimed role in preventing a war between India and Pakistan and in easing tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Nile dam. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )


Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Will Donald Trump win the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize? Here is what students must know about the history of this award
Will Donald Trump win the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize? In June 2025, Pakistan officially nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in de-escalating a dangerous military standoff with India. The announcement immediately sparked global debate. Could one of the most polarizing political figures of our time be awarded the world's most prestigious honor for peace? Pakistan claims Trump played a behind-the-scenes role in preventing a full-scale conflict, calling it a moment of decisive diplomacy. Supporters see the nomination as deserved recognition; critics argue that one diplomatic act cannot outweigh a legacy marked by international withdrawals and domestic division. Yet Trump wouldn't be the first surprise nominee—or winner. Former U.S. President Barack Obama received the Peace Prize in 2009, just months into office. In 2019, Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed won for making peace with Eritrea, though he later faced backlash over internal conflict. The prize has always sparked questions about who deserves it and why. For students today, Trump's nomination is more than just a headline—it's an invitation to explore what the Nobel Peace Prize stands for, how it has evolved, and what it reveals about leadership, diplomacy, and the changing face of peace in the modern world. What is the Nobel Peace Prize? The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most recognized international awards, established in 1901 by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What Is Your Writing Missing? Grammarly Install Now Undo It was meant to honor those who have contributed most to advancing peace, reducing armed conflict, and promoting diplomacy and humanitarian progress. Unlike other Nobel Prizes, the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway, by a committee selected by the Norwegian Parliament. For over a century, the award has honored a wide variety of individuals and organizations—leaders who forged peace treaties, journalists who risked their lives for truth, survivors who turned their trauma into activism, and movements that reshaped global policy. For students and young changemakers, the Peace Prize serves as a real-world guide to the values that define global leadership, advocacy, and collective progress. Historic peace laureates One of the most legendary winners is Martin Luther King Jr., who received the prize in 1964 for his leadership in the nonviolent civil rights movement in the United States. His legacy continues to inspire youth-led protests and movements for racial justice around the world. In 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded for her humanitarian work with the poor and dying in Kolkata, India. Her selfless service became a global symbol of compassion in action. Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Peace Prize recipient, won in 2014 at the age of 17. After surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban, she became a powerful voice for girls' education and youth empowerment, making her an icon for student activism across the globe. In 1993, Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded for their efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. Mandela's lifelong fight for equality and reconciliation transformed not just a nation, but global conversations about justice and healing. The prize has also gone to organizations like the United Nations , the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, and the World Food Programme, showing that peace is often achieved by collective effort—not just individual heroism. How winners have defined peace The Peace Prize isn't just for heads of state. In fact, many recent winners weren't politicians at all. In 2024, Japan's Nihon Hidankyo, a group of atomic bomb survivors, was honored for its powerful advocacy against nuclear weapons. In 2023, Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights activist, won while imprisoned for her fight for women's rights and civil liberties. Their stories remind students that peace often begins with personal conviction, not public office. In 2021, journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia were recognized for defending press freedom in authoritarian regimes. In 2020, the World Food Programme was awarded for feeding communities in war zones and disaster areas—showing that fighting hunger is also a form of peacekeeping. These winners teach us that peace is not limited to treaties. It includes the pursuit of justice, access to truth, and compassion during crises. Their work is a powerful lesson for students who want to create impact, regardless of their field of study or background. A history of controversial choices Trump's nomination may seem unconventional, but so were many before him. Barack Obama's 2009 Peace Prize was awarded just nine months into his presidency, sparking criticism that it was based more on hope than achievement. Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed was hailed in 2019 for ending a decades-long conflict with Eritrea, yet his later involvement in internal war led some to question the timing of his award. There have also been high-profile omissions—most notably Mahatma Gandhi, who never received the Nobel Peace Prize despite being the face of nonviolent resistance. These examples show that the Nobel Peace Prize is as much about global context and symbolism as it is about accomplishment.
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
29 minutes ago
- First Post
Any future terror attack in India to cost Pakistan ‘dearly', Op Sindoor not over yet: Rajnath Singh
The defence minister stressed that the Operation Sindoor was not over yet, and Delhi would respond with full force in response to any future terror attack read more Photo shows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacting with the Armed Forces Personnel during 'Barakhana' at Northern Command HQ in Udhampur. (Source: X@RajnathSingh) Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned on Saturday (June 21) that any future terror attack in India would cost Pakistan 'dearly', reiterating that Operation Sindoor had only been 'paused' by India. He also highlighted how Islamabad had to kneel down when India unleashed its military might in response to the ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in April. Singh was speaking with security personnel at Northern Command in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur, where he vowed that Pakistan's strategy to give India a thousand wounds won't succeed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We not only foiled their plans but also took such retaliatory action that Pakistan had to kneel down. Any terrorist attack on Indian soil is going to cost Pakistan very dearly,' said the defence minister. Delighted to interact with the Armed Forces Personnel during 'Barakhana' at Northern Command HQ in Udhampur. The life of a soldier is filled with courage and sacrifice. The nation will forever remain indebted to their services in the line of duty. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 20, 2025 India named its military action against Pakistan-backed terrorists as 'Operation Sindoor', during which Indian forces launched strikes at nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. When Pakistan targeted Indian military sites, India responded by launching missile and drone strikes at 11 vital military bases. 'Operation Sindoor not over yet' The defence minister stressed that Operation Sindoor was not over yet and Delhi would respond with full force in response to any future terror attack. 'Operation Sindoor sent a powerful message to terrorists and their patrons that New India is assertive, resolute and will no longer be a victim of terrorism, but respond with strength and strategy,' said the Defence Minister. 'Operation Sindoor is not over yet. This is just a pause. I want to tell this to my neighbouring country,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He praised the precision, coordination, and bravery of the armed forces and intelligence agencies in dismantling terrorist infrastructure, underlining that India's shift in its anti-terrorism policy stems from this exceptional courage and commitment. Singh characterised Operation Sindoor as more than a military operation, but a clear message to cross-border terrorists and their supporters that India will deliver a decisive response to any threats against its unity and integrity.