China shows the way
With the stunning opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics and smooth organisation of the Games, China has shown that this is the Asian century. China also notched up the maximum gold medals in the Games. Now, it is the turn of its Asian counterparts, including India, to show the world that they are also the best in the world in their respective fields and specific areas of competence. Let us make this the Asian century.
S Kamat, Goa
Show up terror for what it is
The report Mosques lead attack on terror (August 25) highlighted a laudable initiative to sensitise people to the dangers of terrorism, which is a sign of a vibrant nation standing united to fight the scourge of terrorism. Terror attacks have claimed thousands of innocent lives, irrespective of religious affiliations, and threaten to disrupt economic development which can rid people of poverty, illiteracy and disease.
RJ Khurana, Bhopal
Terror and its travails
If India abandons Kashmir just because a section of its citizens want azaadi, it might create an Afghanistan-like situation where the US abandoned the nation after the withdrawal of Soviet forces, leading to Islamic terrorism. Let's remember that azaadi is being demanded in the name of Islam as was demanded by the Muslim League in the 40s. The so-called liberals’ advocacy of a free Kashmir is bound to create a terrorist state which will suffocate freedom in the name of Islam and forcibly convert non-believers. Let India not make the same mistake the Americans did.
SN Balakrishnan, Mumbai
Everyone should be in the dock
APROPOS of the editorial A shut and shut case for the judiciary (Our take, August 25), the government’s decision to exempt judges from the purview of the RTI act is surprising. In fact, it should have been made mandatory for judicial officers to declare their assets before taking the oath. Since such assignments are held in high esteem by the public, the conduct of judicial officers should be transparent, to increase the citizens’ confidence in the judiciary.
PK Srivastava, via email
Everyone should be in the dock
APROPOS of the editorial A shut and shut case for the judiciary (Our take, August 25), the government’s decision to exempt judges from the purview of the RTI act is surprising. In fact, it should have been made mandatory for judicial officers to declare their assets before taking the oath. Since such assignments are held in high esteem by the public, the conduct of judicial officers should be transparent, to increase the citizens’ confidence in the judiciary.
PK Srivastava, via email
Think before you say ta-ta
apropos of Tarun Das’s article Forget the Nano, forget the Tatas, it’s about Bengal’s future (Chain Reaction, August 25), the Tata project in Singur was an opportunity for West Bengal to break away from the cycle of unemployment and poverty. Instead the state has only strengthened its existing image as one in which conditions are the least conducive for doing business. The state has got an opportunity to revive its flagging manufacturing sector and provide livelihood to its unemployed youth. It will be a shame if this opportunity is sacrificed at the altar of competitive politics.
Chintan Puri, Faridabad
A case for divine intervention
Apropos of the report Churches attacked, woman burnt alive (August 26), the church-burning and Christian-killing incidents in Orissa outnumber those that occur in all the Indian states combined. Apparently all is not well in states like Orissa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and J&K. Since the Union and respective state governments seem to be ‘helpless’ in the face of growing violence in the name of religion, I wonder if help must necessarily come from the beyond.
Omar Luther King, Delhi