:: Letters to Editor

Think cricket, not sex

Sept.29 : Sir, With reference to the editorial Cricket, sex and extra cover (September 27), if there is one lesson taught by human history, it is that success in any field is achieved through discipline and concentration. In fact, vices like sex, money, alcohol and drugs have generally been employed by opponents to undermine discipline and disturb the concentration of the people. One wonders, therefore, how the authors of the "leaked" document could urge members of the Indian cricket team to have sex as an additional input to boost their performance on the field. It is hoped that better sense prevails and our "men in blue" will be wise enough to ignore the royal brouhaha and concentrate on the game of cricket.

Joseph M. Dias

Via email

More damage, less impact

Sir, Karnataka’s Bharatiya Janata Party government turned the state secretariat, Vidhana Soudha, into a fortress guarded by hundreds of police personnel, to foil the Congress’ bid to lay siege to the building to protest the state government’s policies. Around 100 Congress leaders, legislators and former legislators were arrested as they tried to enter the stately building housing the offices of the chief minister, the Assembly, Legislative Council and senior officers. This act was ill-advised. Also, the arrested leaders promptly declared a lack of clarity on whether they were arrested or detained as a reason to go on dharna. They also termed their handling by the police as "inhuman" and a case fit for the Karnataka Human Rights Commission to investigate. People should realise that the move did not further the cause of the aam aadmi, which it professes to have uppermost in its mind.

K.K. Luthria

Via email

Why delay on mercy pleas?

Sir, With reference to the Sunday Special Matter of life and death (September 27), I wonder whether the Central government has so far responded to the recent observation made by the Bench of the Supreme Court regarding the delay in deciding the fate of mercy petitions. It is a pity that the Constitution did not lay down a timeframe for the President and the governors to take such a decision. The political class is taking advantage of this in delaying matters for as long as 15 years. The people, in general, are feeling helpless. Even the judiciary and the media are not making enough noise to rattle the legislators into taking prompt action. Also, mercy petitions should be kept out of politics. I am glad your newspaper highlighted this issue. Hope the United Progressive Alliance-2 government will urgently deal with this.

L.M. Rajgopal

Via email

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Close air India permanently

Sir, It is unfortunate that Air India pilots are able to hold a large country like India to ransom and the government is unable to put an end to this (Pilots’ strike: 13 AI flights cancelled, September 27). It is invariably the government that buckles. These pilots draw a monthly salary of Rs 5-6 lakhs and still go on strikes. Air India has sustained a loss of Rs 7,000 crores this year and is being run through taxpayers’ money. The government should think in terms of closing down this airline. It is false pride. There is no point in maintaining a white elephant like the Air India.

A.R. Mahendra

Via email