Ballot power

Violence-free polling to the tune of over 60 per cent in general 8212; and 70 to 80 per cent in the worst terror-hit areas like Baramula a...

Violence-free polling to the tune of over 60 per cent in general 8212; and 70 to 80 per cent in the worst terror-hit areas like Baramula and Kupwara in particular 8212; in the first phase of local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir held on January 29 is a very encouraging development 8216;Valley celebrates vote8217;, IE, January 30.
Such massive turnout of voters, defying the weather and fear of the gun, to elect their local body managers has made it clear that the people want development of infrastructure and delivery of basic facilities. Their elected representatives now have the uphill task of realising the people8217;s aspirations.

8212; M.C. Joshi Mumbai

8226; Hats off to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who have understood the essence of democracy.

8212; G. Sriniwasan Adelaide

Hazy priorities

8226; The recent NASA pictures showing a dense haze over Bihar is an alarming finding 8216;What Laloo doesn8217;t know of Bihar, Larry does8217;, IE, January 30. But our politicians have no time to discuss such matters during the heat of elections. Among the various sources of pollution, one possible source which everyone has missed is the legal/illegal brick kiln.

8212; Shitanshu Mumbai

Evasive at best

8226; Salman Khursheed8217;s statement that 8220;we the Congress supported the formation of a government in Uttar Pradesh, not its running8221; is meaningless as always 8216;Heartland trouble8217;, IE, January 31. Should it be presumed that the Congress supported Mulayam Singh Yadav only to improve their statistics? The role of the Congress in Laloo8217;s Bihar also is vague at best.

8212; F.S.K. Barar Jodhpur

Little reminders

8226; You have rightly highlighted the admirable role played by schoolchildren in Bihar to pressurise the Bihar government to take action against the kidnappers of small children 8216;Desperate measures8217;, January 29. I am however surprised to see the total absence of any action on part of the elders. In fact they must also come forward to support their children, lest the agitation of the children be ignored by the powers that be.

8212; N.G. Gogte On e-mail

8226; Bihar8217;s law and order problem has moved from worse to worst. The flourishing kidnapping 8220;industry8221; in the state has spread wide enough to abduct innocent, school-going children who do not belong to the elite class that has been most vulnerable to kidnappings until now.
What is most ironical in all of this is the fact that while students across the state have risen in revolt against such kidnappings, not only has the administration looked the other way but more children have been abducted 8212; as if to show the young agitators that their protest would not serve any purpose!

8212; V. Rajesh Mumbai