Be practicalOur policy makers have to recognise the inherent strengths and weaknesses of the Indian economy and work with them, not against them.S.K. Ramakrishnan,SingaporeThe Way OutA three-point prescription should be drawn up to tackle the economic ills plaguing us ("The Great Depression", September 7). One, bank rates should be reduced to conform to reduction in real market rates. This is the only way to avoid inflation. Two, tax compliance ought to be strictly enforced. Also, civil construction- especially housing-should become the engine of growth. Land ought to be decontrolled and there should be a drastic reduction in all taxes associated with land, building and construction activities. Our best bet for capital formation would be mobilising domestic savings.N.J. Ramesh, Bangalore We are the ones to make a better dayThese letters from students of the Canadian School of India, Bangalore, are in response to "The Ugly Indian" in the August 24 issue.We will only understand the low standards of our country if we compare ourselves with the rest of the world and mend our ways.Nisha KumarThe solution to this deeply ingrained ugliness could be the "hot stove principle". Touch and get burnt: whoever disregards rules will get singed. Also, heinous offences like child labour and exploitation of women have to be severely dealt with.Kanika Choudhry BhattacharyaBribery and corruption are India's biggest curses. But instead of blaming politicians, we should start voting for capable leaders.Pooja ReddyAwareness of personal and public health and educating people about family planning will help lift India out of the mire.Gayatri VijayakumarThe article critically explored only one view of India. The ugly image should be dispelled through a positive approach, not by degrading the country.Piya GenomalMyopic VisionThe recent developments in Afghanistan are a cause of worry for India vis-a-vis Kashmir ("The Fire Next Time", September 7). The objectives of militant organisations have always been dangerous. Unfortunately, our leaders haven't foreseen the gravity of the Taliban's growing threat to the country. One hopes pragmatism will prevail over their myopic vision.V. Sagar, DelhiFollow-up NeededThough it is imperative that stringent laws are enforced to check food adulteration as mentioned in your editorial, their implementation is difficult ("Plateful of Poison", September 7). Our legal procedures are so prolonged that offenders often get away. There is also little political will or interest to take up these matters seriously. The Centre raises a voice when a tragedy occurs but forgets about it soon after. There is a need to follow up these issues so that proper action is taken.R.L. Paul, DelhiClandestine OperationThe genesis of adulterated oil ("The Deadly Mix", September 7) lies in the cultivators' fields and not merely at the oil factory. Certain toxic elements which are supposedly "plant protecting devices" have been clandestinely imported into the country for some time now. During the past two decades, the multiplication of harmful weeds-affecting and afflicting the cash crops - has reached alarming proportions. In my earlier post as secretary-general of the Seeds Association of India, I had warned of the consequences. Obviously, this wasn't heeded. India continues to import deadly materials that have been discarded in the West. Such malpractices must be put to an end immediately.O.S. Rakesh Guleria, DelhiSensitive ReportingIt's after a long time that an article has so greatly moved me ("The Indignities of Dying", September 7). One has read innumerable stories on the landslide but the very first line showed that this was no impersonal report. The story of the Malpa tragedy moved from the personal to the universal and left a deep impact on me. I shall always look forward to more such sensitive, heartfelt writing. If journalistic writing can help reassess disaster management, it is an article such as this.Dayanita Singh, DelhiMisused MachineryI fully disagree with the editorial comment on M.S. Gill's recommendation that the incumbent governments should resign before elections to facilitate free and fair elections ("Resigned to the Unreal", September 7). Democracy can only exist if people can vote without fear and coercion. In another country this would be ensured by the government but in India many state administrations have shown, permitted, sometimes even forced, a bias. State machinery has been misused for political propaganda. The Election Commission has the responsibility to conduct free and fair elections and any recommendation to achieve this goal should be welcomed instead of being condemned outright. The people of Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia have overthrown their systems. Surely we can as well.Captain V.K. Mohindra, Delhi.preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}All Creatures Big and SmallKudos to INDIA TODAY for an excellent article featuring rediscovered amphibians, reptiles and birds ("Lost World", August 31). Rarely do popular magazines write about these little-known creatures. For most people, they are repugnant and harmful. But there are biologists and herpetologists who work against all odds to bring to light missing links in the process of evolution. The article will not only encourage them but also others to learn more about India's biological diversity and understand the urgent need for every Indian to protect these species.Farida Tampal,CalcuttaInteresting AnalysisWhile other publications merely highlight success stories of offbeat filmmakers, INDIA TODAY has literally delved into the psyche of one such creator ("Two of a Kind", August 31). It was interesting to note that despite having received no formal training, Ram Gopal Varma created a masterpiece. Amidst the mindless junk Bollywood churns out week after week, Satya came as a breath of fresh air. And the sincerity, talent and hard work that Manoj Bajpai put into his performance is evident on the screen.Raj Kumar Bajpai,Jamshedpur"Sonia Gandhi deftly applies the principle of divide and rule within the Congress. What sort of party is it in which officials come through the backdoor of 'political legacy'? "Bedashruti Mishra, Raigarh, MPNeurotic BehaviourPakistan's obsession and its neurotic behaviour regarding Kashmir have been thoroughly exposed ("Fatal Fixation", August 31). Fifty years of tension between India and Pakistan have shattered hopes of peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Nuclear Pakistan has aggravated the situation where there has been a regular violation of the Line of Control (LoC). The only ray of hope lies in both countries accepting the LoC as the international border. This proposal should be endorsed by every peace-loving Indian and Pakistani. Pakistan should heed this proposal and should let Kashmiris on both sides of the border live in peace and tranquillity.P.R.S. Money, AhmedabadOne and the Same?In the issue dated July 20, both Prabhu Chawla ("Display the Iron Fist") and Tavleen Singh ("Act Tough, Mr Vajpayee") demanded that the prime minister show some gumption and get on with the business of governance. I wonder if the people of India would agree with their implicit assumption that the Government was not doing well. In an opinion poll conducted by your magazine, you had reported that 52 per cent of the people were satisfied with the performance of the Government and 17 per cent were dissatisfied. In another weekly publication, the figures were 60 per cent and 35 per cent respectively. Are Chawla and Singh talking about the same Government of India?R.G. Kulkarni, MumbaiPublished By: AtMigration Published On: Sep 21, 1998--- ENDS ---
