The Mumbai Times authors are probably ignorant of the readers' psychology. Readers who write back to authors with their comments gain tremendous satisfaction and pleasure when the authors reply. I have experienced both sides. Yet, there is a difference between writing a regular letter and sending an email. When readers write letters to newspaper or magazine addresses, they know at the back of their minds, that the letter may never reach the author and are not particularly disappointed when a reply does not come.
People give their email addresses because they expect to be contactable.
If the authors value their privacy, their email addresses should be distributed judiciously and not be printed in a way that allows any Ram, Shyam and Naresh direct access. Do take the trouble to reply to your emails. It doesn't take much. If however, you do not have the time to reply back, then do not publish your email address for the entire world to see. Being 'with it' brings with it, a certain responsibility.