Sunday letters

Manmohan can now show his mettle

Gaurav Choudhury in his article Down! Down! Down! (The Big Story, June 24) portends gloom, arising out of India's slowing gross domestic product. We cannot afford to shut our eyes to this catastrophe, taking place under a government headed by a capable economist. With Pranab Mukherjee a presidential hopeful, Singh can show his mettle and reverse the downward slide of the Indian economy.
AK Sharma, via email

II
Growth is at a record low of 5.3%, thanks to the indecisiveness of the government. If India has to rise, it needs leaders who can take bold decisions for the country's sake and rise above votebank politics.
Neerja Gandhi, via email

Change the game plan
With reference to the article Reforming the reforms (Chanakya, June 24), India is rich in natural and human resources. The point is how our policy-makers and politicians use this wealth for the betterment of people. It is the government's duty to empower the people and save the economy. The MGNREGA project has become politically motivated and does not keep people's long-term interests in mind. It is unfortunate that the government is unable to provide food to the poor even as its grains rot due to lack of storage.
Uttam K Bhowmik, via email

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Planning becomes futile if the long-term interests of the people are not factored in. The MGNREGA meant well and was successful to begin with. But it soon became a breeding ground for corruption. Many other people-friendly schemes have met a similar fate. Coalition politics has dealt a death blow to good governance. People should use their vote with prudence in the next election.
GK Arora, Delhi

Good manners cost nothing
Karan Thapar's article Crème de kindness (Sunday Sentiments, June 24) reminds me of my first visit to my brother in the United States. The very first morning, I was greeted by everyone in the neighbourhood with an enthusiastic 'hi', as if I was familiar to them. I was pleasantly surprised. In India, we greet people we know, and flatter those we seek favours from. During my second visit, I learnt to say 'sorry' and 'thank you'. On returning, I used them as frequently as possible.
PK Nigam, via email

II
Thapar's observations are right. Good manners are essential, though one neglects them through the turmoil of adulthood.
Neerja Gandhi, via email

Not the right perspective
Harinder Baweja and Mahesh Langa's article The riot & after (360 degree, June 24) makes for disappointing reading. Not a word has been mentioned about the perpetrators of the Sabarmati Express carnage because it is politically inconvenient. It is unfortunate that a respected newspaper has turned itself into a party mouthpiece.
Vijay P, via email

Time to reform politics
Gautam Chikermane's article From 'restart reform' to 'reforms must reach' (The Big Story, June 24) makes for interesting reading. Failings in governance call for political reforms. Without that, economic reforms remain half-baked, failing to deliver justice to a society where people still struggle for two square meals.
MM Goel, Kurukshetra

Turn foul into fair
Indrajit Hazra's article Howdy partners (Red Herring, June 24) makes perfect sense. One can only hope that good sense prevails on our politicians so that this foul atmosphere is cleansed.
RL Pathak, via email

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