:: Letters to Editor

Austerity: real or a gimmick?

Sept.18 : Sir, The decision of our politicians to support the austerity drive and their resolve to travel by economy class is welcome. Austerity can, of course, be internalised in many more ways in order to save taxpayers’ money. For example, it does not make sense for VVIPs to move in a convoy of cars while commuting. It leads to traffic jams. While most people in India do not have a proper house, it does not make sense for ministers to occupy sprawling bungalows in New Delhi. These bungalows can be converted to accommodate two or more ministers. Also, it does not make sense to have official advertisements with leaders’ photographs

in the newspapers for inauguration ceremonies and the like.

J.N. Mahanty

Dutta Tota, Puri

 

Sir, Minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor’s statement on Twitter that he would travel in "cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows" was in bad taste. However, Mr Tharoor is right about the so-called "austerity" drive of the Congress. Amidst the recent austerity drama, this old saying holds true, "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time". When will our politicians realise this?

Prakash Chandra

Via email

Bar serena from WTA

Sir, Serena Williams’ misbehaviour at the US Open deserves condemnation from sports lovers. As of now, she has been let off with a fine of $10,000. She was also penalised a point for lousy sportsmanship. But this is a small punishment. She pointed her racket towards the line judge on committing a foot fault in a manner that gave the impression that she was going to hit her. She did say, "I would kill you". She should be barred from WTA tournaments for at least a year.

A. Seshan

Sion, Mumbai

Take religion out of school

Sir, The Supreme Court has upheld the case of a Muslim student of a Convent school in Madhya Pradesh and allowed him to sport a beard, although this was against the school’s regulations. It is my belief that students should adhere to some level of discipline. A proper uniform and appropriate personal appearance is part of the discipline observed in schools. In a country where teaching "A" for "Arjun" or "G" for "Ganesha" is considered communalisation of education, asserting one’s religious identity in schools will further polarise the society.

D. Agrawal

Gulabi Bagh, New Delhi

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Why spare the politicians?

Sir, This refers to the news report Govt rethink laws protecting corrupt officials (September 13). The Chief Justice of India (CJI) has rightly recommended statutory

provision to seize illegal properties and assets of government officials convicted in corruption cases. Union law minister M. Veerappa Moily has lost no time in suggesting modifications to Article 311 to speed up the prosecution of corrupt officials. I dare say that the CJI has only spoken of government officials and spared the ministers, law-makers, and influential politicians, who are the fountainhead of corruption, thanks to our money-fuelled electoral system.

Sharad C. Misra

Andheri (W), Mumbai