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The recent floods are nature’s response to years of abuse
The report In the grip of a deluge (September 23), goes to show that with the onset of global warming and changes in the rain pattern, sudden upsurges in the water level are wreaking havoc in the country, particularly in Uttarakhand where the possibility of a breach in the Tehri dam poses a grave threat to nearby villages, and towns like Haridwar and Rishikesh.
The recent floods are nature’s response to years of abuse
The report In the grip of a deluge (September 23), goes to show that with the onset of global warming and changes in the rain pattern, sudden upsurges in the water level are wreaking havoc in the country, particularly in Uttarakhand where the possibility of a breach in the Tehri dam poses a grave threat to nearby villages, and towns like Haridwar and Rishikesh. The lack of sustainable development is the reason for the present devastation in Uttarakhand, and it's time the government reviewed the viability of dams in the region.
P. Konwar, Guwahati
Search for an elusive peace
Barkha Dutt in Cut the red tape (Third Eye, September 18) had hoped that the visit of the all-party delegation to Kashmir might engineer a breakthrough but it is a Herculean task to make the separatists give up their position. The reasons for Kashmiri disaffection, as cited by them, are the product of unrest, especially that following the killing of young children and teenagers — the causes of which are yet to be established. The truth is that such deaths are being used by mischief-makers to spread false propaganda against the Army and the authorities responsible for maintaining law and order in the Valley.
Shanti Bhushan, Ghaziabad
II
The solution to the Kashmir conundrum lies in building a consensus between the State, the people of the Valley and the separatists, one that has eluded us so far. The all-party delegation with prominent ministers had a chance to feel the pulse of enraged Kashmiri youth and making a modest start towards a dialogue, but intransigence on all sides has ensured that peace in the Valley continues to be out of reach. It's time to put people's safety first. We need to find a resolute political will to deal with the situation and prevent the further loss of lives.
Siddharth Mehndiratta, Yamunanagar
III
It is ridiculous that Barkha Dutt believes in the concocted stories behind the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Tufail Mattoo and others. It begs the question as to why the police would kill these passers-by and spare the real culprits every time. One should refrain from routinely presuming the innocence of the stone-pelters while blindly blaming the security forces for everything.
Gurinder Singh, Luchnow
Actions speak louder than words
Namita Bhandare in We must agree to disagree (Another Day, September 18) has raised a valid point. If being a nationalist is turning a blind eye to all the various ills plaguing our society, then it is preferable to be anti-national until the ruling classes mend their ways, through imaginative governance if they are to win back the faith of the man on the street. Nationalism cannot be induced through rhetoric alone and must be inspired by the leaders’ conduct.
Piyush Sharma, Bhopal
Looking back to move forward
With reference to the editorial Who is to blame? (Our Take, September 23), it seems the only gameplan is to pass the buck. The only way to prevent further humiliation in the Games preparation is to take strict and timely action against defaulters. The one thing the British taught us well was how to enforce discipline through harsh punishment, and the time has come to take a leaf out of their book.
H.D. Sharma, via email
II
While a 150-year-old steel bridge is proudly weathering a surging Yamuna river, a freshly-constructed footbridge for the Commonwealth Games has come down like pack of cards. The contrast is horrifying, and points to the abject deterioration of the system. Everyone connected to the Games seems to have made big money, given the shameful absence of accountability in our system.
Raghubir Singh, Pune
