Letters to Editor

Detain all who helped Headley

AsianAge — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:14:02 GMT

Nov 21 : Sir, This is with reference to the news implicating Rahul Bhatt and his friends in the David Coleman Headley case (Headley stayed at Taj, aide toured all India, November 13). It is clear now that Headley established himself in Mumbai with direct help and support from Rahul and his friends. Knowingly or otherwise, they provided a lot of assistance to the terrorist scout. These people should, therefore, be detained by National Investigation Agency till the case is solved.

J.N. Mahanty

Dutta Tola, Puri

NIA must follow FBI’s example

Sir, The work of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is to pre-empt attacks on India. The recent investigation of David C. Headley has resulted from the work done by America’s FBI. The NIA had nothing to do with it. It needs to follow the FBI model of working in which there is no interference from political bosses. In contrast, look at the Kasab and the Parliament attack case. With India’s porous borders and its politicians, there will always be threat from within.

Sunil Pradhan

Nuapada, Orissa

Isolation might cost left heavily

Sir, With reference to the editorial A delicate time for West Bengal (November 18), it has been rightly observed that the Left has squandered its political capital accumulated over decades. The old guard of Communist Party of India (Marxist) practised ideology, not isolationism. The present crop has not imbibed this quality. The new leaders saw challenges to West Bengal’s well-being as being extensions of a class struggle. Thus, for them the solutions did not lie in growth and development. Being busy with internal rifts and chasing a mythical "third front", the Left leadership repeatedly ignored urgently needed course corrections for the party.

R. Narayanan

Sumeru, Ghaziabad

Sena boss on sticky wicket

Sir, With reference to your editorial (Bravo Sachin, November 18), in the end it’s not Sachin Tendulkar but his so-called well-wisher Bal Thackeray who put himself on a sticky wicket while trying to unnecessarily queer the pitch for Sachin. Politicians should remember that Sachin is first and foremost an Indian player, and that his name and fame should not be exploited for some people’s narrow gains.

Amitabh S

Via email

Sir, As a true Maharashtrian and Indian, Sachin Tendulkar has shown the right way to those who seek to dictate terms to people from other states living in Mumbai. As a responsible party, the Shiv Sena should project Sachin’s words in practice, rather than criticising him for illuminating words he has spoken.

Syed Khaja

Old Rajendra Nagar, New Delhi

Let cops lead naxal war

Sir, The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to detect Maoist hideouts and monitor their movements may not augur well. Relying solely on military methods will prove counter-productive. To make such operations successful, practical knowledge of the local people and the terrain is essential. Local police stations must have the central role in anti-Maoist operations as they know the local conditions. Rehabilitation of the Maoist cadres in mainstream life should be part of the plans.

Biswanath Ghosh

Belgharia, Kolkata

Thackerays must be dealt with

AsianAge — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:11:22 GMT

Nov.20 : Sir, This is with reference to the news report Bal Thackeray takes on Sachin, angers India (November 17). Sachin Tendulkar is right when he says, "I’m proud to be a Maharashtrian but I personally feel I’m an Indian first". Nobody should be allowed to divide us on regional lines. People like Bal Thackeray and Raj Thackeray should be sent to the border to fight the country’s enemies. Even after the drubbing they received in the Assembly elections, they are not able to read people’s minds. They should be dealt with firmly.

Sneha Sharma

Via email

Our engineers deserve better

Sir, There is an urgent need to standardise the syllabus and the system of evaluation of engineering education in various universities in India, including the deemed and private ones. The human resources developement ministry must appoint a committee of experts to find out the real reasons why India’s effort to gain full membership of the Washington Accord has not succeeded. After all, India’s engineers have been doing so well around the world.

Raghubir Singh

Prabhat Society, Pune

Fight maoists, talk to tribals

Sir, While everyone would agree that terrorisim should be curbed, there may be a difference of opinion on the method employed to achieve this goal. It is alarming that the Maoists are effectively fighting our government forces. The socio-economic backwardness of people in eastern states and the apathy of politicians has allowed them to be lured into Naxalism and armed struggle. The situation is no different in the northern and northeastern states. It is time the Centre and state governments abandoned rhetoric and addressed the real socio-economic issues. They should be ruthless in dealing with the forces of violence.

G. Kulandaivelu

Via email

Bjp should pick leader carefully

Sir, A young leader from outside Delhi — which the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has asked for — will not put an end to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) difficulties. The party has failed to raise young leaders, but has removed senior leaders one after another. A provincial satrap can never be a national leader. Succession planning should be discussed by the BJP and other national parties on a priority basis if democracy is to be saved. The BJP needs a leader

who commands respect within the party and has a mass appeal.

Dhanakar Thakur

Shyamali, Ranchi

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Games team’s late reaction

Sir, With reference to the article Lucky games (November 15) by Dilip Cherian, the induction of some more bureaucrats into the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee is unlikely to strengthen the much-delayed preparation efforts. Rather, it’s merely more jobs for the boys. Clearly with growing fears about New Delhi’s preparedness, the government has stepped up funding for the Games. This is a typical knee-jerk reaction. Now we are expected to believe that a handful of babus in the organising committee will wave a magic wand and all

will be well. What

was the organising committee doing all this while?

Karishma Handa

Via email

Jjudges must be unbiased

AsianAge — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:27:18 GMT

Nov 19 : Sir, In the public’s interest, the Bombay high court should order an inquiry against the North Goa district judge, Nutan Sardesai, for having heard cases in violation of judicial propriety. In the case of the grounded vessel "River Princess", one of the parties in the litigation before Judge Sardesai was Anil Salgaocar, her former employer. It was improper of her to have heard the matter. The minimum that is expected of a judge is to disclose the connection with any of the parties, and in the event of a connection the judge is expected to excuse herself from hearing the case. This has recently been exemplified by Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice Markandey Katju of the Supreme Court. Contrary to judicial propriety, Judge Sardesai also heard a divorce matter relating to her own cousin.

Aires Rodrigues

Ribandar, Goa

FAMILY over democracy

Sir, What the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is doing to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is similar to what Indira Gandhi’s family has done to the Congress Party. Possibly, the BJP under the RSS’ control does one better. It appears that Indian political parties can function coherently only under autocratic rule or family control. Just like nobody can speak against Sonia Gandhi and her family and remain in the Congress, or against M. Karunanidhi and his family and remain in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, nobody can speak against the RSS and remain in the BJP. This situation speaks volumes for the state of Indian democracy and the present political system in the country.

N.S. Venkataraman

Via email

Iif more hawkers, crime will fall

Sir, This is with reference to Jayati Ghosh’s remarkable analysis of the unceremonious eviction of poor roadside vendors (Where are the hawkers? November 17). The author’s observation that "cities that have a large number of street vendors tend to be safer and less prone to crimes" is splendid. The noted economist has to be congratulated for exposing the fact that parking areas for private vehicles occupy more space than slum-dwellers. In the name of beautification, lives of ordinary people are trampled over.

S.V. Venugopalan

Via email

IT'S NOT THE CROWDS, SILLY

Sir, The article The Indian cricket and the killer instinct by Shiv Visvanathan (November 14) was very interesting. The writer said that it is the spectator and not the player that we have to understand. It is wrong to say that Indian players succumb to pressure from spectators who want incessant excitement and constant victory. The fact is a player succumbs only to pressure from the opposite team. If the batsman is not able to handle the opposing bowler, he will lose his wicket.

M.S Ramakrishna

Sadananda Nagar, Bengaluru

MEDIA created the sensation!

Sir, If Bal Thackeray is to be criticised for his over-the-top writing, the journalist responsible for starting the controversy in the first place should not be spared either. Why did the excited journalist present at the media interaction ask Sachin Tendulkar the question that forced him to reply in such a way? What was the scribe trying to achieve? Anyone in Sachin’s shoes would have said exactly what he did if he were pressed on the subject. It reflects poorly on the media to be seen actively generating sensationalist news out of nothing.

J. Seshagiri

V.V. Mohalla, Mysore

SECURITY GREATER THAN STIGMA

AsianAge — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:04:54 GMT

Nov 18 : Sir, This is with reference to the article Stigma of the question mark haunts and hurts (November 16) by Shiv Visvanathan. Yes, it does. Rahul Bhatt is no small kid and is responsible for his actions. The rich and the powerful should know whom they are rubbing shoulders with. That a specific name has cropped up in suspicious emails indicates that the terrorist duo had a significant role for this person in their evil designs. Certainly the investigating agencies would like to unravel the details. Voluntary disclosure is no immunity from being investigated. No amount of publicity blitzkrieg by Rahul’s father Mahesh Bhatt and his sister Pooja Bhatt can alter this position. Terrorism is no trivial business. Concern for security should overweigh all other considerations, such as stigma to a particular individual or family.

V.S. Prasad

Via email

Disinvestment plan genuine

Sir, This is with reference to the news report Don’t flood market: Scope (November 16). Although the interest of investors and stocks traders needs to be respected, the ultimate objective of the Centre in diluting 10 per cent stake in 60 public sector undertakings cannot be undermined. The government proposes to utilise the proceeds of disinvestments to generate employment in the rural sector. This is a bonafide aim. We cannot always take the narrow perspective of the investors who worry that initial public stock offering emanating from the government’s action will cause a market glut and bring down the Sensex.

A. Jayaram

Via email

Politicians on pogo sticks

Sir, This refers to the news report Kalyan attacks Mulayam, to ‘make amends’ to BJP (November 15). It seems that Kalyan Singh acts in haste and later calls it a mistake. Politicians like Mr Singh should not make such statements. He parted company with the Bharatiya Janata Party twice, and now hints at joining that party again. He once apologised to the nation, owning responsibility for the demolition of Babri Masjid, but now says that he wants a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

K.S. Srinivasan

Via email

Give cricketers a Fair chance

Sir, The last One-Day International between India and Australia in Mohali has clearly shown howa team with many new faces can win. There were no legends in the Australian team. Our selectors tend to go on repeating the winning combination. This is pure superstition and deprives many young cricketers of the chance to show their mettle.

P. Madhok

Bandra, Mumbai

Obama needn’t flatter china

Sir, It’s unfortunate that US President Barack Obama, on whom many had pinned hopes of restoring the moral leadership of America, is seen backslapping China by making unnecessary statements about a strong and prosperous China being a source of strength for the international community. One can understand that Mr Obama’s soft approach to the Communists is being dictated by hard economic realities. Lest Mr Obama go down in history as another Neville Chamberlain who appeased Hitler, let us hope that Mr Obama presses the Chinese to open up their political system and allow democratic dissent.

M.P. Muralidharan

Via email

Stop language chauvinism

AsianAge — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:04:44 GMT

Nov.17 : Sir, The attack on Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) legislators deserves condemnation for sure. But the Hindi brigade at the Centre seems to be standing on a higher moral ground without justification. Many boards displaying important information at Kolkata’s railway station and Metro Rail stations are in Hindi. Thus the railway authorities are not only imposing Hindi in West Bengal, they are also virtually killing Bengali in the heart of Kolkata. If the MNS legislators are parochial, the Hindi brigade at the Centre is imperialist to the core. Its sole purpose is to make Hindi the first language of our multi-lingual nation by eradicating linguistic diversity.

sushmita chatterjee

Panihati, Kolkata

Sir, This has reference to the editorial The manner of Maha politics (November 13). The Congress-Nationalist Congress Party ruling combine should realise that Maharashtra has not only produced stalwarts, but has all along remained the country’s most progressive state. The foremost task is to curb regional chauvinism spreading across Maharashtra, nurtured by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. If left uncontrolled, this will become a major law and order problem. Unless there is a peaceful atmosphere, progress won’t be possible, despite all the efforts of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi.

R.T. Narayanan

Via email

Don’t confuse terror, islam

Sir, This is with reference to the article A song and a fatwa by Javed Anand (November 13) in which he talks about the Darul Uloom, Deoband. He has rightly pointed out the way Deoband and the Jamiat-e-Ulema Hind (JUH) campaigned against terrorism, clearing the misconception about mixing up terrorism with Islam, and I thank him for that. But at the end he writes about JUH pushing for a socially "obscurantist, insular, outdated Islam". Islam is a complete religion and the fatwas are based on the Holy Quran and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed.

Shajee Salahuddin

Via email

Sir, This is with reference to the article A song and a fatwa by Javed Anand (November 13). The piece is daring and an eye-opener. It is a clarion call to Indian Muslims to stand up for a better tomorrow for themselves, their children and the entire country.

R.S. Bakshi

Via email

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India’s security system is lax

Sir, The fact that US-based Lashkar-e-Tayyaba operative David C. Headley repeatedly visited India around the 26/11 terror attacks, but India’s intelligence agencies remained completely unaware of this fact is quite disturbing (India to seek extradition of US suspect, November 12). Now that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has nabbed him and disclosed his plans of major terror attacks in India, Union home minister P. Chidambaram is confirming details. It needs to be examined why our intelligence agencies fail to prevent terror attacks when their counterparts have successfully prevented major attacks in the US and UK after 9/11 and the London bomb blasts.

M.C. Joshi,

Mahanagar, Lucknow

Mns deserves to be banned

AsianAge — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:47:49 GMT

Nov16 : Sir, The attack on the Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi in the Maharashtra Assembly by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) MLAs is a black day for Indian democracy. The way Mr Azmi was slapped and heckled should make every Indian feel ashamed and ask whether such people deserve to be elected to legislatures. Suspension for four years is no punishment at all. The four legislators deserve to be booked under sedition charges. Any chauvinism, be it religious, regional or linguistic, is very dangerous, and will lead to the vivisection of the country. Linguistic chauvinism is more dangerous than religion-based communalism as we have hundreds of languages and dialects. If others behave like the MNS, the day would not be far away when there would be a civil war in the country. Hindi is our national language, and Mr Azmi committed no crime. The MNS should be banned along the same lines as terrorist and secessionist outfits have been, for seeking to divide the country. If the MNS tendency is not crushed, there would no longer be any

Indians and only Punjabis, Kashmiris, Tamils, Kanadigas, Malyalis, Gujaratis and so on.

Jassi Khangura

Halqa Qila Raipur, Punjab

Sir, This is with reference to the editorial Day of shame in Maharashtra (November 10). I fully support the view that MNS activists who indulged in attacking Abu Asim Azmi must be punished. Besides, adding a black chapter to the history of Maharashtra Assembly, they have insulted the national language. Legislators who physically attack a sitting MLA should be barred forever from the Assembly. They pose a great threat to the stability of democracy.

Abdul Hameed Yousuf

Sonahati, Domariaganj

Left's citadels are crumbling

Sir, The Left parties must introspect on the never-ending slide in their electoral fortunes. It must be embarrassingly clear even to them that their citadels are crumbling. A few years ago, they could browbeat the government. Now they have not only lost the power to sting, but seem to have simply folded up. Perhaps, people have lost faith in the Left ideology. However, what the Left subscribes to cannot be condemned wholesale.

V.P. Damodar

Viman Nagar, Pune

Fight to the finish is best

Sir, This is with reference to the news report Most-wanted Maoist: Killing is normal (November 8). So be it, then. Let the Maoists be annihilated in a decisive action the way the armed forces of Sri Lanka acted against the LTTE and currently the Pakistan forces appear to be acting against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. That alone will determine the effective blunting of the ultra-Left terrorists in rural areas, and go a long way in establishing a semblance of peace and normality.

R. N. Shanbhag

Mulund (East), Mumbai

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Save national resources

Sir, It is clear that mines are being looted by politicians to make money at the expense of the country's national resources. I wonder what is stopping the Centre from bringing a law to stop the plunder. While most of these iron ore from the mines is exported to China, the Chinese treat their ore as a strategic resource, and import iron ore to build up reserves. Shouldn't we also be doing the same?

K. Rajesh Tripathi

Via email

Chinese threat condemnable

AsianAge — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:44:25 GMT

Nov.15 : Sir, The reports in the government-controlled Chinese media, threatening India with 1962-like military invasion, deserve to be condemned in the strongest terms. China is reportedly upset that India has allowed the Dalai Lama to visit Tawang. But the hard facts are that the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has made India his home since 1959 when he was forced to flee Tibet on account of Chinese occupation. And, he is revered by millions across the world, cutting across race and religion. Unlike China, in a democratic India, as long as he and his followers do not misuse the hospitality of the government, there is no reason to curb his non-political travels, and Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, not open to any scrutiny by India’s neighbours.

Amitabh

Via email

Sir, In view of the strained relations with China, and the latter’s claim on Arunachal Pradesh, it was not advisable that the Dalai Lama should have been permitted to proceed for religious functions to Tawang. This will provoke China and it may attack Arunachal Pradesh. Being a major nuclear power, China may not think through the consequences of such an attack. It is better now to ask the Dalai Lama to cut short his tour. Also, we can request the spiritual leader to take asylum in another country. This will soothe China and inhibit it from evil designs against India.

A.H. Makdoomi

Via email

The value of democracy

Sir, The question that is being debated now in the Supreme Court is whether the courts can enact laws (Can the courts ‘frame’ laws? Bench to review, November 12). The three pillars of democracy — the executive, the legislature and the judiciary — should bear the responsibility of state functioning collectively, through active interaction with one another, and without transgressing their limits or invading the domain of others. Judiciary can sit in judgment over laws enacted by the legislature. The legislature can enact a law to nullify the judiciary’s orders and the executive can issue a fiat to the other two for observance.

K. Pradeep

Via email

CPM should go for early polls

Sir, Byelection results are not a referendum, and only serve as an indicator of the current popularity of political parties. It is clear, however, that the decline of the Left is now indisputable. The precipitous fall in its electoral fortunes, appears irreversible. With the Left Front government virtually dysfunctional, and the Marxists unable to get their act together, it would be perfectly in order for the Communist Party of India-Marxist to opt for an early Assembly polls, if only to save itself from a disgraceful rout in 2011 state Assembly polls.

Padmini Raghavendra

Via email

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A united ‘team india’ can win

Sir, This is with reference to the Age Debate (Dhoni XI overrated? November 12) in which Navjot Singh Sidhu argued for the motion and Sourav Ganguly against. As Sidhu notes, the Indian team suffers from lack of ability to take the right decisions. That is why they tend to lose by small margins just when they are on the threshold of victory. The team is unable to handle crunch situations. They need time and the right guidance, as suggested by Ganguly. The long and short of it is that they are capable but are unable to act as a unified bunch.

A. Sudhakar Rao

Via email

Mind your language

AsianAge — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:49:42 GMT

Nov.14 : Sir, While we condemn the conduct of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena legislators, it is worth considering whether a mature politician like Abu Asim Azmi could have saved the situation by taking the oath in Marathi. He could have read it out from a piece of paper. Although Mr Azmi was within his rights when he took the oath in Hindi, an elected representative is expected to show respect to the language of the state which he represents in order to avoid confrontation with regional parties which try to extract mileage out of such issues. I doubt whether any people’s representative in Tamil Nadu would dare take the oath in Hindi.

J.N. Mahanty

Dutta Tota, Puri

Sir, What happened in the Maharashtra Assembly is shameful. Apart from a dismal failure of the state in checking these goons at the start, media’s encouragement to such acts through intensive coverage of their actions and statements is also to be blamed. This is especially true of the electronic media. Why can’t the media exercise better judgment in such cases?

Balvinder

Sector 48 A, Chandigarh

Bjp shows its true colours

Sir, It was really amusing to go through the news report RSS chief: Next BJP boss not from Delhi (November 6). It is an open secret now that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which had all along been boasting of being the only party which is truly nationalist has now shown its true colours by compromising not only on discipline but also basic decency just to remain in power. This is evident in the party’s shameless actions in Karnataka. The BJP is yet to accept the fact that people have rejected it in almost all the states that stood in elections. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has declared with arrogance its intention to impose on the BJP the party’s next boss, but by the time such a candidate is picked up, the BJP itself may not be in existence.

Tharcius S. Fernando

Via email

Woman power rules the roost

Sir, Union railway minister Mamata Banerjee and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati have woven a maya jaal over the electorate in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh respectively (Mamata, Maya sweep bypolls, November 10). Communist Party of India (Marxist) appears to be at the receiving end in West Bengal and Kerala — where it used to matter — and very soon would be isolated everywhere in India. Women’s power is growing day by day in India. Very soon, it will be the men who may need a 33 per cent quota in the legislatures. Beware the Mulayams and the Buddhas!

S. Venugopalan

Via email

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Sheila dikshit diminished

Sir, How come the police failed to monitor Manu Sharma’s movements? Did it require a pub brawl to alert the police that Manu Sharma wasn’t tending to his "ailing" mother in Chandigarh? Finally, it is shocking that a convicted killer should have been released on parole from Delhi’s Tihar Jail to visit his "ailing" mother not for a couple of days but two months! Chief minister Sheila Dikshit’s brazen attempt to justify the ill-deserved and manipulated parole only serves to underscore her own complicit role in the scandal. She clearly stands diminished in popular perception.

Meghana. A

Via email

The games our politicians play

AsianAge — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:00:16 GMT

Nov 13 : Sir, As expected, Raj Thackeray’s newly-elected brigade attacked Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi for having taken his oath as MLA in Hindi. Mr Azmi would not have become a better person had he taken the oath in Marathi. Mr Raj Thackeray’s men would not have been charged of dereliction of duty had they ignored Mr Azmi. Politicians on all sides do these kinds of things for one-upmanship. In the process, ordinary people suffer. Changing the names of places and forcing one to speak a particular language will not improve our day-to-day life.

M.H. Nayak

Via email

Sir, The Parliament and state Assemblies have been fighting arenas for a long time. The episode of Raj Thackeray’s men attacking Abu Asim Azmi for taking the oath in Hindi is not only shocking, it is also an affront to the core values and dignity of an individual. That these goons have been elected by people to represent them makes it all the more shameful. In an ostensibly democratic set-up, there shouldn’t be any place for any kind of linguistic and ethnic chauvinism. Language, be it Hindi or Marathi, is only a front for politicians to pursue their narrow goals.

Sumit Maclean

Dr S.M. Avenue, Kolkata

Use FUNDS from PSUs wisely

Sir, The government’s decision to disinvest 10 per cent of the equity in public sector undertakings (PSUs) that are doing well is excellent. The performance of the former VSNL, which is now Tata Communications, shows what a tonic privatisation can be. We should expect that more disinvestment will lead to the end of political manipulation and exploitation of the PSUs. The question is what will the government do with the proceeds of disinvestment? True and lasting welfare can come to people only through quality education and the acquiring of skills and proper qualifications. The proceeds should therefore be used to start first class schools for poor people, irrespective of the caste and religion so that they learn to earn, and not depend on the welfare dispensed by the government, becoming welfare addicts and work-shirkers. Public health, augmentation of power generation, national highways and mass housing should be missions that should be taken up.

T.H. Chowdary

Via email

LEFT’s mistakes helped mamata

Sir, This is with reference to the editorial Congress on a roll, Mamata triumphs (November 12). It is because of the Left Front’s mistakes that Mamata Banerjee is sweeping West Bengal. Her pro-poor stance has also contributed to Trinamul Congress’ victory in the bypolls.

Rosy Rajan

Kalkaji, New Delhi

Rreview parole guidelines

Sir, This refers to the news report Manu Sharma surrenders, back where he belongs (November 10). Had the media not highlighted the story of the murder convict’s parole, Manu Sharma would not have returned to jail. It is true that the rich and the politically influential get "more equal" treatment in getting parole compared to other prisoners. But considering the way hundreds of hardcore criminals were released on the birthdays of prominent politicians, grant of parole to Manu Sharma cannot be faulted. It is time the judiciary reviewed the guidelines for parole, which should only be given in exceptional circumstances, not to visit pubs or clubs.

A. Seshagiri Rao

Via email

Democracy or ‘demonocracy’?

AsianAge — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:14:29 GMT

Nov 12 : Sir, It is evident that political parties are giving tickets to candidates with money power, muscle power and criminal background, with caste and religion also playing a key role. If this dangerous trend continues, India will soon be declared clinically dead since good people will not find a chance to enter public life or national service. A recent report by National Election Watch says that 60 out of 151 candidates, i.e. 40 per cent, in the fray for the Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh were extremely rich and had assets of more than Rs 229 crores. The Lok Sabha has many members who have criminal cases pending against them. In these circumstances, it is not clear whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh delivers democracy or "demonocracy". India is already critically ill with economic crisis, terror threats, caste wars, communal clashes, public safety threats, food security issues, and flood and drought. We need to quit votebank politics.

N. V. S. N. Murthy

Via email

BJP misjudged reddy brothers

Sir, The article Karnataka crisis: A lesson in governance by Jayanthi Natarajan (November 9) was well written and an eye-opener. The Karnataka episode has proved that business and personal interests are more important than state development. When the state was in deep crisis due to the recent floods, the Reddy brothers, instead of supporting the government, blackmailed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command for their personal gains. By acceding to the Reddy brothers’ demands, the BJP high command and chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa have become powerless. It is a fact that the BJP has lost its sheen in Karnataka due to this episode — and for this the BJP’s high command is mainly responsible. Instead of acting against the Reddy brothers, the high command had to bend. The BJP should learn a lesson from the Congress Party in dealing with rebels.

Ramesh Kotnana

Via email

Are Politicians ever guilty?

Sir, In Madhu Koda’s case, we must remember that many politicians have been accused of scams or having assets far beyond their known sources of income. In most cases, no politician is ever found guilty. This is only because of lack of evidence. The evidence never reaches the court as the politicians suppress it with money and power. As a result, they roam around scotfree. All political parties and politicians are the same.

M. Kumar

Connaught Place, New Delhi

MNS episode is a matter of shame

Sir, The thrashing of Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi and the hooliganism by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) members over his oath in Hindi was indeed one of the worst acts that could have been committed. Hindi is our national language and there was nothing wrong in taking the oath in Hindi. The guilty MNS members must be punished in such a manner that no other political party ever repeats such an act.

Sandeep Ghiya

Mulund (W), Mumbai

Sachin gave his best, but...

Sir, With reference to the news report Sachin Heartbroken (November 7), the master batsman would have been happier if he had won the series for India instead of crossing the 17,000-run personal mark at Hyderabad. Millions of fans were left heartbroken. Kudos to the Aussies who played sensible cricket till the last over.

A. Kumar

Via email

No use talking to maoists

AsianAge — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:31:44 GMT

Nov 11 : Sir, Union home minister P. Chidambaram talks through his hat to divert attention from his inaction. The Naxals were a defeated force during the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) regime in Andhra Pradesh in 2004, and were not a force to reckon with elsewhere in the country. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy’s government began talks with Naxals just to spite the TDP chief, who was opposed to that move. The Naxals used this opportunity to amass funds, collect weapons, recruit cadres and open links with the Nepal Maoists, the LTTE, the Inter-Services Intelligence and other terror groups. Due to the inaction of the Congress-ruled states, the Maoist menace grew unchecked. The Centre does not coordinate with non-Congress states due to malafide intentions, and yet Mr Chidambaram and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh want to hold discussions with Naxals. What’s the point?

M. M. Kale

Via email

No passion in Indian team

Sir, The defeat of the Indian cricket team in the one-day international series might have come as a blow to fans, but the writing was already on the wall. Some time ago, Prof Ratnakar Shetty, a Board of Control for Cricket in India official, had noted that Indian cricketers no longer felt remorse on losing matches. Such an attitude is in stark contrast to teams like Australia. It is an open secret that many Indian cricketers have ceased to make most of their money from the game, and they know which side their bread is buttered. They are now only keen to end their careers, having made their pile. The team needs a thorough overhaul.

Vijayalakshmi A.

Via email

Learn batting from praveen

Sir, On the strength of the Guwahati match, the entire Indian batting line — barring Sachin Tendulkar, of course — should learn batting skills from Praveen Kumar. He put in great effort not only in his batting, but also bowling. Senior bowler Ashish Nehra has been a big disappointment. He also doesn’t bat or field well. The selectors should again consider Irfan Pathan and Rohit Sharma.

Akhil Tadakamalla

Via email

Ignore tawang, strengthen ties

Sir, It is unfortunate that the Dalai Lama made some public statements in Tawang contrary to common expectations. India and China had recently patched up differences on border issues and come to a mutual understanding. Such statements are certainly unwarranted and are likely to cause irritations between the two nations. India and China must ignore this event and work towards improving bilateral ties.

A.R.K. Pillai

Jogeshwari East, Mumbai

Levi-Strauss: an era ends

Sir, The departure of the legendary French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss has marked the end of an era of intellectual pursuits of the most sublime and intricate order. The greatness of Levi-Strauss lies in his denial of anything structural. That is the reason he never liked to be called the "father of structuralism" — he never wanted to be pigeonholed into any school of sociological or anthropological study. Strauss believed in "deconstructionism". He is a legend who had his own ways to delve into societies — advanced or primitive. He proclaimed that the human spirit is universally the same.

Sumit S. Paul

Nul Stop, Pune

Disinvestment: A profitable idea

AsianAge — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:36:05 GMT

Nov.10 : Sir, This is with reference to the editorial Disinvesting PSUs boon to investors (November 7). Disinvestment in profit-making public sector undertakings (PSU) is a wise decision of the government. It gives the private players a chance to enhance the competitiveness and efficiency of operations in PSUs, paving the way for profits. Studies reveal that in the past five years out of 13 PSU Initial Public Stock Offering launched, 12 were trading in profit. However, the government should retain the maximum stake. Only then it can have better control over the welfare and safety of PSU employees. Additional revenue generated by disinvestment should be properly utilised in infrastructure development, power generation, agriculture, education and healthcare.

M. Srinivasa Murthy

Via email

Army team sets bad precedent

Sir, The decision by the Services team to skip a Ranji Trophy fixture in Srinagar has negative implications for the country. If the team of the Indian armed forces refuses to play within the country on security considerations, then no international sports team will be willing to play in India, citing similar apprehensions. There is less then a year to go for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. This is to be followed by the 2011 Cricket World Cup. India’s neighbour Pakistan is reeling under terror assaults which could overflow into India. Within the country there are glaring internal security issues, such as that of the Maoists and Naxals. The need of the hour is to improve the overall security so that sports and other cultural events can take place unhindered.

Amitabh S

Dubai, UAE

Sachin sets an example

Sir, Congratulations to Sachin Tendulkar for having reached yet another milestone. In the fifth One Day International (ODI) against Australia he became the highest run-getter in ODIs, crossing 17,000 runs. Whatever be the outcome of the current ODI series in Hyderabad, one saw a nail-biting finish after a long time. Spectators truly enjoyed the run feast.

Inamdar Ramachandra

Via email

Sir, Young cricketers have a lot to learn from Sachin Tendulkar. Chasing a score of 350 runs almost single-handedly, with little support from the other batsmen, is not an easy task. Technically, India lost the Hyderabad match, but morally we won it. Apart from batting skill, Sachin’s will-power, confidence and endurance will be an inspiration to all.

Sahana Rayan

Via email

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Time to rebuild maharashtra

Sir, The Maharashtra government will have an opportunity to rule the state for the next five years without any political threat. Chief minister Ashok Chavan and his team must bury the past and start on a clean slate. Instead of touting the state’s so-called prime position in the country, they should sincerely begin dealing with major problems in a systematic manner. Power supply, clean drinking water, irrigation and a vigilant police force are the topmost priorities for Maharashtra today. The degradation of the state over the past decade is devastating. The need of the hour is to rebuild Maharashtra. Mr Chavan must rise to the occasion.

Ashok R. Shinde

Dadar, Mumbai

INDIA must USE ITS STRENGTH

AsianAge — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:33:11 GMT

Nov.09 : Sir, With the One Day International series at 4-2 in Australia’s favour, the Indian team has to think something different, and think it fast. It cannot let the under-strength Australians stun the strong home side. Team India’s strength lies in its batting, but ironically it is this department’s failure that allowed the visitors to bounce back at Mohali, and win the game at Hyderabad. Ravindra Jadeja should be replaced with Yusuf Pathan, who can provide some lusty hitting down the order. Also, Harbhajan Singh, a pinch hitter, should be promoted up the order to unsettle the Aussies. He is probably the one player apart from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to perform consistently with the bat. It’s time India’s think tank utilised his services in the power play segment.

Abdul Monim

Sector 9A, Vashi

Sir, Field Marshal Sir William Slim titled his autobiography Defeat Into Victory. In the Hyderabad ODI against Australia, the Indian team scripted the reverse. Who should be blamed? Apart from Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni who did not even get into double figures, I would also put part of the blame on Sachin Tendulkar, despite his magnificent innings. The team had reached a stage where just his presence would have carried us through. Only 18 more runs were needed. That was hardly the time to play the stroke that got him out. And please, will someone put a ball and chain on Ravindra Jadeja’s feet? Here is a classic jack in the box who seems to have a chilli in his rear and does not know the existence of a crease. The best lesson for both teams is the one most often quoted "catches win matches". If all the catches had been taken, perhaps India would have had to chase less than 250.

T.R. Ramaswami

Via email

Why deoband resolution?

Sir, India’s national song Vande Mataram has once again stirred a hornet’s nest, and this time without even being sung. Is it surprising that the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (JUH), which has put down as mandatory for the faithful the boycottt of mass entertainment media, and the prohibition of higher education for women, thought it necessary to highlight its stand on the song as being crucial to its project of identity-formation?

Jayatheertha

Via email

Sir, What was the reason for the JUH maulvis to pass a resolution on Vande Matram and rake up an unnecessary controversy? Why can’t they focus on more serious issues? The resolution will only alienate JUH and can be exploited by the Sangh Parivar, which is lying low following its defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee

Sector 23 A, Faridabad

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People declare behenji guilty

Sir, The United Progressive Alliance government’s expression of regret before the Supreme Court about the installation of Mayawati’s statues at a prohibitive cost to the public exchequer of the most impoverished state in the country is not enough to save the chief minister from stringent punishment. Tendering an apology when found out is clearly an attempt to escape harsh punishment. Ms Mayawati has squandered public money to satisfy her vanity and has not bothered with jobs, food, shelter, education, healthcare, water and roads for the people.

R.J. Khurana

Arera Colony, Bhopal

Dalai lama must visit arunachal

AsianAge — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:50:10 GMT

Nov 08 : Sir, This refer to China attacks Dalai ahead of Arunachal visit (November 3). The decision to visit Arunachal Pradesh should be left to the Dalai Lama. India should not allow China to have a veto in this matter. What will China do to India if the Dalai Lama visits Arunachal Pradesh next week? Will it stop trading with India? India is not saying that the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao should not go to Tibet. If India agrees to postpone the Dalai Lama’s visit, the Chinese will push the envelope. In future they may mind his visiting Leh. If the Dalai Lama cancels his scheduled trip, it will be said that India gave in to Chinese pressure. Although bilateral trade between China and India has increased significantly in recent years, border disagreements and the Tibet issue still dog diplomatic relations. The Chinese aim is to use their economic power to reach India’s northeastern states, Chittagong port in Bangladesh, and Burma through these trade links via Nathu La Pass. The lateral roads from China into Pakistan and Burma, along with access to ports in Pakistan, Burma and possibly Bangladesh, are designed to put India in a pincer.

Nyima Gyalpo

Annshu Apartment, Pune

Pay commission for servicemen

Sir, Ex-servicemen were hoping against hope that their long-standing demand of "one rank-one pension" (OROP) would be met when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave an assurance to that effect in his Independence Day address, and the finance and defence ministers made a commitment to this effect in Parliament. It is quite clear that in the present set-up, political commitments to the pay commission and other recommendations for ex-servicemen would be negated. It is, therefore, necessary that a separate pay commission for defence personnel be constituted without delay, with an interim relief in respect of OROP.

Raghubir Singh

Prabhat Society, Pune

Equip Security Forces Better

Sir, This refers to the news report Kapoor: Can’t afford another 26/11 (November 4). The message from Army chief General Deepak Kapoor is very clear. Our internal security forces and defence services are finding it difficult to face the enemies more effectively as they are under-equipped. Unfortunately, India has disputes with two key neighbours, and China and Pakistan are both militaristic countries. Therefore, we need a strong internal security and defence system.

C.R. Nanda Kumar

Via email

Probe the ‘child begging’ case

Sir, With reference to the news report Nanny hired out baby for beggars (November 5), the Bengaluru police should take up the matter for investigation suo motu. It would be best if beggars were rounded up and lodged in homes specially prepared for them.

R. Ramachandra Rao

Via email

Reform india’s constitution

Sir, The alleged swindling of crores of tax payers’ money by Union minister for telecommunication A. Raja and former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda are symptoms of decadence in our democracy. It is time we reform our Constitution so that only parties with a certain minimum percentage of votes in the elections are allowed to contest polls. There should be no place for Independents.

Navnith Krishnan

Via email

Govt should act, not talk

AsianAge — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:49:51 GMT

Sir, It is difficult to visualise what led a balanced and mature politician of the stature of P. Chidambaram to say, "We will also retaliate with the force of a sledgehammer". The home minister said this would be India's response if there was another 26/11-type attack. The statement smacks of a total disregard of diplomacy. In any case, offensive diplomacy has never been our forte. How does Mr Chidambaram propose to retaliate - by funding terrorists in Pakistan, or engineering blasts? If at all one has to retaliate, shouldn't action speak louder than words?

A.K. Singh

Via email

Vande mataram: personal choice

Sir, The controversy over the recitation of Vande Mataram is basically a clash between monism and monotheism. While the former takes its stand based on non-dualism which considers one self-existent singularity as constituting the source of the entire manifested cosmos, the latter is founded on dualism that believes that cause is independent of its own effects, which is why it posits an extra-cosmic, anthropomorphic God who, despite having no causal connection with anything, manages to manufacture the cosmic system out of nothing. Obviously, non-dualism makes better sense than the absurd creationist theories of monotheism. The singing of Vande Mataram should be left to individual choice, and not turned into a communal issue.

Arup K. Isaacs

Via email

Mps, babus must emulate judges

Sir, In making their assets public, our Supreme Court judges have lived up to their reputation of high integrity. They have shown that our higher judiciary is responsive to the expectations of the people. The declaration of assets comes at a time when controversy surrounds the elevation to the apex court of the Chief Justice of the Karnataka high court, and gives a moral lead in deciding the matter. The people should now ask MPs and government officials to follow the example of the judges.

J.S. Acharya

Tarnaka, Hyderabad

Quit dieting, start yoga

Sir, With reference to the news report Want to stay trim? Eat lots of tomatoes (November 5), every other day a new study comes up or a dietician tells you the innovative and fastest ways to lose weight. There are various diets, Atkins diet, tomato five-days weight loss diet, cabbage soup diet, low fat diet, low carb diet etc. Young people, in a bid to lose weight quickly adopt these easy measures. Little do they realise that they are harming themseves. The best way to lose weight is to excerise and yoga.

Pradip Talukdar

Via email

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Bjp's series of woes goes on

Sir, It is no secret that the Reddy brothers - Karnataka tourism minister G. Janaradhana Reddy and revenue minister G. Karunakara Reddy were recently admitted to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) because of their tremendous money power. They had substantially financed the party's election campaign and are clearly out to extract their pound of flesh. That they managed to rope in the Assembly Speaker, with the lure of making him chief minister, is a sad commentary on how the august institution of Speaker stands defiled today. Karnataka has proved to be the latest flashpoint in the BJP's serial of woes.

J. Seshagiri

V.V. Mohalla, Mysore

Indira gandhi: an iconic leader

AsianAge — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:39:48 GMT

Nov.05 : Sir, Twenty-five years after she was assassinated, Indira Gandhi remains an iconic presence in our collective consciousness. She is the only, and will be forever, Mrs Gandhi, India’s Iron Lady, the Durga of 1971, the "only man in her Cabinet". Resolute, combative and ruthless are some of the words often used about her. But the other side of her persona, fiercely nationalist on one hand and caring, sensitive and nature-loving on the other, rarely find equal prominence in her report card. It was, perhaps, the incredible popular support she commanded in the aftermath of the liberation of Bangladesh, preceded by bank nationalisation, abolition of privy purses and enactment of land ceiling laws, that lulled her into complacency. I don’t believe she was a dictator at heart, even if she was impatient with the political Opposition. India has learnt a lot from her failures, dealing with local insurgencies being one of them. In retrospect, Punjab wouldn’t have happened at all. But her temptation to use it to her electoral advantage persuaded her to first foment religious fundamentalism and then allow it to fester to a point where she thought she would be feted for affecting a smooth surgical operation. It didn’t happen quite that way and she paid for it.

Meghana. A

Via email

Stop communist propaganda

Sir, The term "love jihad", coined by the Sangh Parivar, is proving to be another tool to malign Muslims and disturb communal harmony. No wonder it has picked up momentum when the Goa bomb blast revealed involvement of Right-wing groups. It is high time that our civil, human rights and secular organisations intervene to uphold an individual’s rights and stop false propaganda.

Ruby Naushad

Via email

Keep Religion a private affair

Sir, Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan and Nationalist Congress Party leader Jayant Patil inviting the Satya Sai Baba of Puthparthi to their official residences for puja is a matter of great concern. While being religious in one’s personal life is a personal choice, the use of official premises for such functions is a violation of the values of the Indian Constitution. These politicians are a disgrace to the secular tradition of the country. The higher authorities must condemn these acts.

Ram Puniyani

Via email

Ask M.F. hUSAIN to come back

Sir, This is with reference to the news report Ready to return home if PC calls (November 1). It is high time that India calls back M.F. Husain. We pride ourselves on our acceptance of plurality and diverging views. Yet, we fail to provide a living legend the freedom of expression. His paintings, instead of being confined to the ones depicting nude goddesses, are varied and represent a cosmopolitan India. Those who long for Husain to return are more than some hired hands of political parties.

A. Hameed Yousuf

Via email

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Maharashtra awaits a govt

Sir, The result of the Maharashtra Assembly elections was declared long ago and yet the power tussle between the politicians of the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is not. The Congress-NCP combine has not been "able" to form the government till date. Instead of serving selflessly, these people are unable to arrive at a power-sharing agreement.

Hansraj Bhat

Borivali (W), Mumbai

Maoists pose big threat to india

AsianAge — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:32:18 GMT

Nov.04 : Sir, In May 2008, the electoral triumph of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka had set a precedent of sorts with the state becoming the first in south India to have a full-fledged BJP government at the helm. But the clamour for a change of guard and an apparent shift in the power equations, which has brought about dissidence in the party’s rank and file, has torn the party asunder. When the state is in the violent throes of devastation caused by floods due to unseasonal rainfall, is it not ironic that a few ambitious legislators should deem it appropriate to rise in rebellion against a chief minister who is doing a commendable job of bringing relief and rehabilitating thousands of people displaced by the disaster? Blaming chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s style of functioning is a section of his own ministerial colleagues who have rebelled against him. Clearly, these representatives hold their self-interest above all other considerations.

Pachu Menon

Margao, Goa

IMPROVE BABUs’ WORK CULTURE

Sir, With reference to Dilip Cherian’s column (Rule of ‘thumb’, November 1) on Union home minister P. Chidambaram’s efforts to improve the work culture in his ministry, the Biometric Attendance Control System should be installed in all government offices. As the home ministry has shown, the introduction of such devices is necessary to make government officials report to work on time and be more responsible towards the public. Since they are averse to disciplining themselves, such methods have become essential to improve the pathetic work culture of our sarkari babus. The government should, as rightly pointed out by Mr Cherian, take a cue from the corporate world.

Shifali

Via email

Why wasn’t ioc fire prevented?

Sir, The massive fire that broke out at the Indian Oil Corporation’s fuel depot in Sitapura industrial area in the outskirts of Jaipur has raised some questions that are difficult to answer. The fire has already taken the lives of more than 10 people and injured many. It also led to loss of property and fuel. Why are not such highly inflammable and risky plants situated at least 10-15 kms away from cities? Did the oil depot lack adequate staff and equipment to tackle an accident of this magnitude? Their disaster management team, which is trained to react and stop damage to life and property, did nothing. It is time that these questions are addressed seriously.

Abdul Monim

Sector 9A, Vashi

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Witchcraft: a superstition

Sir, The Sunday Special story (Witchful Thinking, November 1) brought attention to the atrocious social practice of penalising women suspected of witchcraft. It may not be widespread but its intensity of punishment causes untold misery to its victims. It is one more example of indignities inflicted on women in the guise of religion and worship. Actually, it is the worst superstition which may be traced to social tradition and "weakness, fear, melancholy together with ignorance". As George Eliot put it, "Superstition is the reproach of deity". It is also "the burden in the world of imagination and scarecrow sins at home". It pollutes the educated and uneducated minds equally and globally. Nevertheless, strict legal action and social awareness can dent it.

Y.G. Chouksey

Wanowrie, Pune

Two types of terrorism

AsianAge — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:48:58 GMT

Nov.03 : Sir, The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested David Coleman Headley for plotting terror attacks on behalf of the Pakistan-based Laskhar-e-Tayyaba (LeT). Pakistan is fighting the Taliban while the LeT chief and other members involved in Mumbai terror attacks are being shielded by the Pakistani administration. How is the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton then saying that the Pakistan government and its armed forces are moving in the right direction to eliminate terrorists? Is it that only those that threaten Pakistan and the US come under the US’ definition of terrorists?

M.C. Joshi

Mahanagar, Lucknow

Of healthcare and morality

Sir, The US Congress has unveiled a $894 billion healthcare bill. Healthcare is a basic human right and should be guided by basic moral values. It should not be controlled and determined by a government which does not believe in the innate value of human life. The primordial driving force behind healthcare is the transcendent dignity of human beings. Abortion, euthanasia, contraception, embryonic stem cell research, invitro fertilisation, and other procedures or technologies which are not mentioned in Obama’s Healthcare Bill but which attack or undermine the sanctity and dignity of life, are not healthcare and should not be covered using tax payers’ money.

Paul Kokoski

Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)

UPA govt must focus on prices

Sir, This is with reference to the editorial Inflation: Ball in govt’s court (October 30). The massive stimulus of the government did not flow into infrastructure. A large part of it went to stoke consumerism, further accelerated by the payouts of the Sixth Pay Commission. As a result, prices of food items have risen to record levels and there is no sign of a let up. If farmers were benefiting from this, it would be good for agriculture. But the runaway consumerism is most probably being exploited by middlemen and speculators. This explains the relentless price spiral. The focus now needs to shift from spending to savings. The government must address the price issue in full earnestness.

R. Narayanan

Kaushambi, Ghaziabad

ALL must reject GM vegetables

Sir, Vandana Shiva in the Age Debate (Bt food neither safe nor viable, October 22) has rightly said, "It would be the saddest day of our lives if the Centre approves the commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal". She also said, "In India there is no labelling regime for genetically-modified (GM) food, which will give consumers a choice to choose". Instead of debating the matter with the pro-Bt group, the anti-Bt group should educate consumers and make them reject Bt vegetables. If there are no consumers, farmers will automatically stop growing Bt vegetables.

M.S. Ramakrishnan

Via email

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Solve kashmir issue first

Sir, It is sad that the Kashmir issue has taken a backseat, while India and Pakistan talk about putting an end to terrorism. They must initiate arbitration for a resolution of the dispute concerning the Valley. It is well to remember that three wars between India and Pakistan have not brought a solution to the problem of Kashmir. Both the countries need to extend support to bilateral efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue.

K. Pradeep

Via email

Maoists pose big threat to india

AsianAge — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:02:58 GMT

Oct.02 : Sir, Apropos to S. Nihal Singh’s article Talk to Maoists, but also show who’s the boss (October 29), the home ministry should definitely urge the Maoists to initiate a dialogue with the state, but that should be done only after the outfit lays down arms and allows the state to punish the criminal elements who have taken precious lives. No one is above law, and justice must be provided to the families of the victims. If the Maoists do not agree to such terms, the Centre and the state governments should launch an attack with utmost force. The Maoists are far more dangerous than the Kasabs. At least the Kasabs attacked an alien nation, but the Maoists are bleeding the country from within.

Kajal Chatterjee

Panihati, Kolkata

Strip agassi of his titles

Sir, I have long been a great admirer of tennis player Andre Agassi. It is a matter of sorrow that he used crystal meth and got away with it by blaming his positive test on a spiked drink. He is one of the world’s richest tennis players, and his wife Steffi Graf a tennis legend. Clearly, the lure of big prize money and the prospect of improving his ATP rankings, were the reasons for Agassi taking drugs. This means that we should only fall in love with a sport, not those who play it. Not only Agassi but all other sports offenders should be stripped of the titles they hold.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee

Via email

Let the public judge indira

Sir, This is with reference to Dr P.C. Alexander’s article A misunderstood loner (October 31). Indira Gandhi was insecure and most of her actions were the result of her insecurity, although she wanted to come off as bold. As Dr Alexander says, her insecurity grew as she went up the political ladder. Her overtures to the Akalis was a failure. She could not rein them in. Later she paid for Operation Bluestar with her life. Let all the facts be placed before the public.

K.N. Krishna Moorthy

Via email

Dangerous neighbours

Sir, Pakistan and China have become the two most dangerous countries in the world. The former is exporting terror to secular and democratic countries, and the latter is exporting military hardware to non-secular and non-democratic countries. As a result the world has become unstable. The Western countries are now unable to defeat the rag-tag army of Al Qaeda and the Taliban, which consists of racketeers, bandits and murderers. It is unlikely the western countries can do anything to prevent Pakistan and China from exporting terror and military hardware. It is ironic that many students from Pakistan and Iran are learning nuclear science in the universities of the West.

James Rodrigues

Via email

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Education can build a nation

Sir, For the cost of a single additional soldier stationed in Afghanistan for one year, the United States could build roughly 20 schools there. Education can play a miraculous role and serve as a basis for the introduction of democracy and peace. It should be the first priority for any nation dreaming about peace and stability. Ignorant people are easily excited and deceived. They are difficult to convince because their horizons are limited. Some people in the region take advantage of this situation and brainwash young and naïve children.

Mortaza Aslrasouli

Via email

Pagan ritual or a party night?

AsianAge — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:39:06 GMT

Oct.31 : Sir, The pagan feast of Halloween is foreign to Christian tradition. It is nothing but a superstitious and empty way of imposing mindless triviality. This day has its origin in the Celtic New Year which celebrated the return of the spirits of the dead to their homes. Hence, those who observe Halloween — although they are probably ignorant of what they are doing and why they are doing it — are in reality celebrating death, the devil and hell. The observance of Halloween is mixed with Christian festivities whose meanings are totally contrary to Halloween. On November 1, Christians celebrate belief in the communion of saints. On November 2, they make visits to the cemetery as a religious and profoundly human gesture, inspired by their hope in resurrection. I encourage Christians to celebrate the Christian truths of these days with renewed faith, as a response to the real concerns of mankind today.

Tim Storey

Tottenham Court Rd, London

david shepherd: a great umpire

Sir, Among our great cricket umpires, David Shepherd has brought so much life even to dead matches. Even while handing out seemingly difficult decisions, he was charming, stylish and, always, unbiased. Along with Rudi Koertzen and, to a lesser extent Steve Bucknor, Shepherd took umpiring to heights which would be difficult to surpass. Shepherd is a classic case of umpires commanding the respect of the players and the public alike.

K.V. Vasudevan

Via email

Sir, The death of former Test umpire David Shepherd has removed a towering veteran. He always showed fortitude in enforcing umpiring rules and asserting his authority. Standing in 92 Tests, 172 One-Day Internationals, and three World Cup finals is no mean achievement. The world of cricket saw him as one of the best umpires ever. Shepherd will be sadly missed by cricket lovers everywhere.

N. Radhakrishnan

Via email

Calm china’s tibet fears

Sir, With reference to Srinath Raghavan’s article Tawang: Why China gets all worked up (October 30), it is time India tries to forge a cordial relationship with China and not take it lightly. It should think of ways to assuage Chian’s concerns about its attitude to Tibet. It should also not repeat the 1962 Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai blunder. The two countries can unitedly take on the world.

Priyanka Jaiswal

Via email

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Naxals are terrorists

Sir, Arundhati Roy’s suggestion that the Congress treats the Maoists in the same way as the Bharatiya Janata Party treats the Muslims is absurd. It is no more valid to attribute Naxalism to socio-economic disparities in our system. The way the Maoists kill innocent people and take on the symbols of the state confirms that they are perpetrating terror and, hence, are terrorists by another name. How else can we describe those getting arms and ammunition from other countries to spread chaos in their own land? Are they not the enemies of the nation? What can stop Pakistan-based terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen joining hands with the Naxalites with the evil objective of weakening the foundation of our country?

A. Vani

Via email