Politicising Criminals"Earlier, the issue was criminalisation of politics. After the Uttar Pradesh drama, it is the politicisation of criminals." -P.K. Ramaswamy, ChennaiUpholding DemocracyBy not agreeing to the cabinet's skewed recommendation for the imposition of Central rule in Uttar Pradesh, President K.R. Narayanan has risen above the rest ("Advantage BJP", November 3). For, it was not merely a question of restoring sanity in yet another politically smouldering state of India but of guarding democracy and preventing its ridicule. In this 50th year of Independence, the President's act - along with Arundhati Roy's Booker success - has brought much joy to a cheer-starved nation. -J.S. Khurana, Delhi.preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}The logical cause and effect syndrome has worked well in Uttar Pradesh. The main cause of the imbroglio was undoubtedly Governor Romesh Bhandari who followed the advice of his mentor Mulayam Singh Yadav. His actions vitiated all constitutional norms and clearly established his political leanings. The final result was a loss of face not only for him but also for the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party. -A.S. Raj, BangaloreIt was an ugly sight watching the coverage of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly proceedings on television. No words are strong enough to condemn the misbehaviour of the state's legislators. When we see members attacking each other with chairs and mikes, what do we call it, a proceeding involving law-makers or serious crime? The cost of the time lost and property damaged must be recovered from the legislators themselves. If necessary, a new law incorporating punitive action against those involved in such incidents must be framed. -Dr S.V. Paralkar, Mumbai.Revive the SportThere is nothing new in the ongoing politics that has gripped the Indian cricket board ("It's Just Not Cricket", November 3). What is disheartening is that after repeated setbacks, the board officials have not deemed it fit to change their ways. Little do Jagmohan Dalmiya and I.S. Bindra realise that, in their battle for supremacy, it is the credibility of Indian cricket that is suffering. For once, can politics take a backseat, for the sake of the sport? -C.K. Subramaniam, Vashi, MumbaiEye TroubleThat I did not get my eyes checked in Delhi and preferred to go abroad at an alleged cost of Rs 5.2 lakh to the exchequer is an unfounded insinuation ("A Chronic Ailment", November 3). It was because of an eye operation in Delhi that was botched up to such an extent - I was on the threshold of losing one eye - that I had to rush abroad to save my sight. Fortunately for me, it was not a journey of no return. -Sheila Kaul, GhaziabadDistorted PictureHaving won the booker prize, Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things will be widely read the world over ("Princess of Prose", October 27). With issues like incest, adultery and masturbation so freely woven into the story, I, as an Indian, am ashamed that our society is being projected in such a distorted manner. -P. Sundar Rajan, BangaloreIt was indeed refreshing to see Arundhati Roy on the cover after the fixation with unscrupulous politicians, corporate bigots and those with underworld links. -Prashanth Kumar, Centerville, OhioDouble SuccessIt is perhaps true that Asha Bhosle is not as gifted as Lata Mangeshkar ("Reinventing a Diva", October 27). But what is noteworthy is that she has worked doubly hard with an ordinary voice to create the extraordinary. Therein lies her greatness. Her success and gift to musiclovers reminds one of the lines: "Life itself cannot give you joy, Unless you will it, Life just gives you time and space, It's up to you to fill it." -Sunila Rao, Shiroda, GoaKudos to the versatile Asha Bhosle who, at 64, is still making waves. Her repertoire of songs is astonishing. Moving with the times, adapting easily to the changing trends and thinking young have allowed her to be a singer for all times.-P. Shetty, Jodumarga, Karnataka"Trying to draw a parallel between the star sisters Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar is like asking what came first, the chicken or the egg." -Ashish R.S. Kudchadkar, Vasco da Gama, GoaWhere are the Stocks?I was surprised to read about the stock pile-up at Maruti Udyog Ltd ("All Fall Down", October 27). I booked a Maruti Standard in the first week of October with one of the leading dealers of Delhi. I was told that the delivery would be made in the first week of November. But there were no assurances. The explanation: allotment of cars to dealers by Maruti for October had fallen following a shortage. Where have all the stocks gone? -Naghma Zaidi, DelhiIncompetence ShowsOne is at pains to understand what Dr Farooq Abdullah wants to prove by making contradictory statements ("My blood pressure is sky high", October 27). If he cannot take care of his own party workers, how will he be able to save the Pandits? His statement that "if the Pandits prefer camps to their homes, it's their problem" smacks of incompetence and his inability to take a firm stand on the issue. -T.K. Pandey, DelhiBad PrecedentThe illustration showing the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka hanging by the moustache of the brigand Veerappan aptly satirises the helplessness of the two state leaders in dealing with a thief ("Centrestage", October 27). Despite his record of brutal murders, dacoities, kidnappings and smuggling, the sandalwood smuggler dares to negotiate terms with the two governments knowing fully well their inability to catch him. Instead of considering a deal with him, the states should launch an all-out campaign to isolate him and then trap him. If their combined might is insufficient, then the Army's help should be sought. No concessions should be made to Veerappan because that would set a bad precedent for other criminals in the country. -Ujagar Singh, ChandigarhFar from HelplessI wish to clarify my views on Marwari women quoted in one of your articles ("Status Statements", November 3). Rather than finding them "helpless", I think some of them manage with great ease and style to span the gap between a traditional and contemporary society. I did say some of the most interesting cards that I have done are for Marwari families. While many of them need to be guided from scratch, others who understand style demand greater creativity to outdo each other. Having been quoted as designing wedding cards only for friends, I could not have said that "Aman Nath is a status symbol". I did say that M.F. Husain was, since his style is recognisable and mine varies. -Aman Nath, DelhiMisleading CaptionThe caption of a photograph of two pilots in your special Independence issue gives the impression that the duo shown are the Keelor brothers, decorated for valour in 1965 ("The Nation", August 18). While one of the pilots is indeed the then Flt-Lt Trevor Keelor, the other is Flt-Lt V.S. Pathania. The photograph was taken at Pathankot after they had shot down the first two Sabre jets in that war. Both were later awarded the Vir Chakra. -Major-General (Retd) R.S. Pathania, Noida"Industrialists are to blame for the recession: instead of mass consumption goods, they eyed the white goods sector where demand saturated." -Bichu Muttathara, PunePublished By: AtMigration Published On: Nov 17, 1997--- ENDS ---
