The demands are justified but the manner of protest is wrong
The report Bitter harvest (November 20) was shocking. The demands of the sugarcane farmers of Uttar Pradesh were justified but the manner in which they protested was disgusting. On the one hand, the farmers accused the government of acting unconstitutionally, yet on the other they themselves adopted undemocratic methods to put forth their complaints. The Union government should look into the matter and address the legitimate demands of the protesting farmers but at the same time, punish all those who were responsible for destroying public property.
Rajan Kalia, via email
We don’t need China’s help
The report Leave Pak-India ties alone: Govt to meddling US (November 19) was disturbing. The Indian government was right in telling the US that New Delhi and Islamabad don’t need Beijing’s help to resolve bilateral issues. At the same time, Islamabad should crack down on the terror camps in its territory and New Delhi should restart the dialogue process with Pakistan. Both the US and China should stop supplying arms and financial aid to Pakistan that are often used to fund terrorist acts against India.
Syed Khaja, Delhi
II
Pubic opinion holds a lot of weight in a democracy like India. Whereas, in a totalitarian regime, like the one in Pakistan, the common man has no say in the workings of the government. That’s why while India did not waste time in denouncing the US’s proposal of Chinese intervention in the Indo-Pak problem, there was no reaction from Islamabad. While we appreciate the US’s generosity of thinking about our welfare, it should have at least consulted both India and Pakistan before making its proposal public.
Piyush C. Sharma, Bhopal
Bidding a sad adieu to tongas
It is disheartening to learn that soon Delhi will be biding adieu to tongas (Bidding tongas a fond final farewell, November 20). Tongas have been an integral part of Delhi’s heritage. It is unfortunate that under the garb of giving the city a facelift, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is taking away the means of livelihood from the tonga-wallahs. If the administration feels that tongas add to traffic congestion, the MCD should find a more convincing and a practical solution. Banning them is no solution.
N.R. Ramachandran, via email
Bidding a sad adieu to tongas
It is disheartening to learn that soon Delhi will be biding adieu to tongas (Bidding tongas a fond final farewell, November 20). Tongas have been an integral part of Delhi’s heritage. It is unfortunate that under the garb of giving the city a facelift, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is taking away the means of livelihood from the tonga-wallahs. If the administration feels that tongas add to traffic congestion, the MCD should find a more convincing and a practical solution. Banning them is no solution.
N.R. Ramachandran, via email
Reaping what we sowed
Connie Hedegaard’s views that we can no longer afford to ignore the dangers that climate change poses for the humanity are relevant and well-timed (Apocalypse not now, November 18). Problems like global warming, increased frequency and intensity of cyclones and depleting flora and fauna are the results of all human activities carried out in the name of development. The only way out now, and as Hedegaard states, is for all nations to unite and undo the wrongs.
Abhishek Shekhar, via email
A poor response to the problem
Samar Halarnkar’s article Kindly do not adjust (Maha Bharat, November 19) was an eye-opener with regard to the state of poverty in India, which is worsening by the day. It’s an obstacle to India’s economic and social progress. The divide between the rich and the poor is widening and the problem of price rise is only adding to the common man’s woes. India’s progress in the international arena is happening at the cost of its people’s welfare.
Monalisha Sharma, via email