Mumbai flooding

Every year Mumbai gets flooded during the monsoons and more than half the city and its surrounding areas are submerged for days on end. Why can?t the Maharashtra government find a permanent solution to this recurrent problem?

Mumbai flooding

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Every year Mumbai gets flooded during the monsoons and more than half the city and its surrounding areas are submerged for days on end. Why can’t the Maharashtra government find a permanent solution to this recurrent problem? The least it can do is lay down a proper drainage system.

Santosh Panicker, Mumbai

Israel not guilty

The editorial Needless sledgehammering (July 6) criticises Israel’s defensive operation in Gaza and ignores the fact that it was in response to unprovoked rocket attacks by the Hamas from the Gaza Strip into Israel and the killing and kidnapping of its soldiers. In the absence of Palestinian action on terror, Israel has every right to protect its citizens. The Israeli operation is being implemented cautiously to avoid any civilian casualty. Palestinian militants knowingly put their civilian population in danger by launching rockets and placing weapons in densely populated areas. Contrary to their claims, there is no humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Stocks of food, medicines, fuel etc. are in ample supply. Israel is committed to the roadmap for peace on the basis of the premises laid down by the international community — recognition of Israel’s right to exist, end of terrorism and adherence to all existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Michal Gur-Aryeh, Embassy of Israel, Delhi

Know the facts

In Nuke the doubts (July 6) Pramit Pal Chaudhuri says the nuclear deal does not constrict fissile material production. What about the shutdown of the Cirus reactor which will deprive India of one-third of its weapons-grade plutonium? The proposed legislation turns India’s test moratorium into a binding obligation. The author states that India has got a guarantee of perpetual nuclear fuel supplies. There is no such reference in the US Bills. He claims the cost of nuclear-generated power is among the lowest and least volatile. Can he cite a single study on this? He falsely states that China places many of its atomic installations under perpetual safeguards. China has only three facilities under safeguards and none under perpetual inspections.

Harsh Ray, Mumbai

Saving the coalition

Apropos of the report PM gives in to allies (July 7), the PM’s decision to put all disinvestment on hold following the DMK’s threat appears to be a loss of face. It is a move aimed at not letting a key UPA ally lose ground to its political rival in Tamil Nadu. Given the nature of our polity, all decisions on progressive reforms have to factor in their likely impact on each UPA ally.

Navneet Dhawan, Delhi

Suicide alert

The recent spate of suicides (Janakpuri suicide tower kills one more, July 6) shows how impatient and weak today’s generation have become. They do not want to struggle to succeed in life. Parents should take care not to put too much burden of expectations on them and should try to make them mentally strong so that they do not succumb to pressures and can handle failure in life.

Bal Govind, Bareilly

Ailing AIIMS

The manner in which P. Venugopal was sacked from AIIMS is disgraceful. The fact is that the Health Minister did not like him and wanted to take revenge. The reservation issue and alleged financial irregularities came in handy and the minister got what he wanted. The Prime Minister should have intervened and restrained the warring factions.

S Raghavan, via e-mail

II

Venugopal’s sacking is unbecoming of a responsible minister. Tamil Nadu politicians have wielded the reservation baton to ride roughshod over all decency and decorum. Such destructive politics must be condemned if only to maintain the sanity of our political class. Hope the Prime Minister wakes up to Ramadoss’ heavy-handedness.

Noor Mohammad, Gandhinagar

III

The removal of Venugopal indicates how eminent minds are forced to bow to politicians and political moves lest their career suffers. Venugopal is one such individual who did not care about the consequences and complained against the system. It is a shame that such a learned man should be belittled by politicians.

Devika Kapuria, via e-mail

Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai

The Reopening of the Nathu La pass is a great decision. It is going to boost trade relations between India and China. Both countries should further boost cooperation in all areas to emerge as economic giants in the world.

Shishir Mishra, Rohtak

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