Rid the system of corrupt leaders
With reference to Neyaz Farooquee and Samar Khurshid’s article Rise of the fifth estate (The Big Story, November 11), people are supporting civil society activists like Arvind Kejriwal and Anna Hazare because they are fed up with some of India’s senior politicians. While it is true that all politicians are not corrupt, there are many who indulge in corruption, and unfortunately their number is rising. India needs electoral reforms to clean up the system and encourage young minds to join politics.
-Manish Chandra, via email
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One cannot fight corruption only by targeting politicians of a particular party. To fight corruption, the fifth estate, which in my mind is a media creation, must also target the corrupt officers in the police, the government and the judiciary.
-Deendayal Lulla, Mumbai
Romney was better for India
With reference to the article Beyond good enough (Chanakya, November 11), it would have been better for India to deal with a Mitt Romney-led America than the one led by Barack Obama because of the latter’s vehement opposition to outsourcing. Romney’s promise of permanent residentship for international students graduating with an advanced degree would have also been helpful for Indians studying in the US.
-Prashant Rakheja, Gurgaon
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It was an emotional experience to listen to the victory speech of Oba-ma since it was full of hope, sincerity and patriotism. There were many differences between Obama and Romney, but once the elections got over, Obama asked Romney to help him build a better and stronger nation. Indian leaders should learn from the American leaders.
-Shenoy SG, Mumbai
There is a long way to go
With reference to Karan Thapar’s Polls: Ours and theirs (Sunday Senti-ments, November 11), though India is the largest democracy in the world, we still have to learn many things from the oldest democracy in the world: the US.
-Bhaskar Sen, via email
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Thapar is right in stating that in America the electoral process releases the past and opens the future. In India, it’s the opposite. In fact, our leaders talk only about our past since they have no vision for the future. They are scared of public debates since there is always enough material against them.
-GK Arora, Delhi
There is a long way to go
With reference to Karan Thapar’s Polls: Ours and theirs (Sunday Senti-ments, November 11), though India is the largest democracy in the world, we still have to learn many things from the oldest democracy in the world: the US.
-Bhaskar Sen, via email
II
Thapar is right in stating that in America the electoral process releases the past and opens the future. In India, it’s the opposite. In fact, our leaders talk only about our past since they have no vision for the future. They are scared of public debates since there is always enough material against them.
-GK Arora, Delhi
Putting themselves first always
Manas Chakravarty’s article Diwali cracker review (Loose Canon, Nove-mber 11) is humorous and thought-provoking. Our political leaders cannot take coherent policy decisions because they are always thinking about themselves and not the welfare of the public.
-Anchit Mathur, Delhi
Hunger is a national shame
With reference to Samar Khurshid’s Fighting against starvation (Focus, November 11), it is unfortunate that even after six decades of Independence, we are unable to provide two meals a day to a large section of the people. Despite significant economic progress in the past decade, India is still home to about 25% of the world’s hungry poor. According to government figures, around 43% of children under the age of five years are malnourished and more than half of all pregnant women aged between 15 and 49 years suffer from anaemia. There is no dearth of resources, but still our people remain malnourished thanks to bad governance. To improve the situation, the government must improve the public distribution system. In fact, some states like Chhattisgarh have done so with the help of technology and tough monitoring.
-Kavya, via email
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