Banking strike

Bank employees chose to again go on a national strike on March 22 to oppose privatisation and foreign participat...

Bank employees chose to again go on a national strike on March 22 to oppose privatisation and foreign participation in Indian banking. One fails to see why the strike had to be called during the financial year-end so as to cause chaos over the final disbursements to the public under various government schemes. It is not as if the government would bow before the bank unions in the matter. The net result might only be that even those customers who have not already gone over to the strike-proof new generation banks, might now do so in helplessness. The unions8217; intentions are thus dubious. The strike had been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions. The AIBEA and BEFI, the two unions with the most numbers, are respectively controlled by the CPI and the CPM, both of which support the UPA government. The UFBU had struck work on the same issues in 8217;03 and 8217;04 also, when the NDA was in power.

8212; R. Sajan Aluva

Irrelevant?

8226; I agree with your editorial that the BJP8217;s stand on the Patent bill once again proves that it is becoming increasingly irrelevant 8216;Realism at last8217;, IE, March 23. It is ironic that the BJP/NDA, which had fathered the Patent bill and VAT, are now opposing it after losing power. It exposes their doublespeak. As you rightly state, their demand to refer the bill to a standing committee is evasive and deceptive. The Left deserves praise for being accommodative and the Congress, for giving due consideration to their reservations. In fact the bill as passed addresses several people8217;s concerns on the issue. As for the BJP, its cadres should do serious introspection if they are to have any relevance in Indian politics and keep up with the changing times.

8212; Harish H.V. Bangalore

Seize the moment

8226; Apropos of the article, 8216;India8217;s diplomatic spring8217; IE, March 22, I think that it is time for the government in power to take fearless and bold decisions without fear of local political implications. I think it is time for India to capitalise on the enormous goodwill it has worldwide, and set things right without bending to the whims of any particular nation.

8212; Francis Agnelo Hyderabad

Terri case

8226; I read your editorial on Terri Schiavo IE, March 23. There is one important fact that is incorrect. Terri is not in a coma. She is awake and responsive at certain times. I think you need to present the whole actual case and present the history of how it started. Yes, she is bed-ridden for 15 years but her husband only started to insist that she wished to die in recent years.

8212; Edward Albany

Opt for cyber speech

8226; This refers to your report IE, March 23 on the cloud over Narendra Modi8217;s proposed tour to London to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat celebrations. Because of the visa cancellation, Modi had to rely the satellite route to address his folk in USA. The British government says although it may issue a visa to Modi it will have no official connection with his visit. Since this is demeaning, Modi may have to again rely on a cyber address to his folk in UK.

8212; K.P. Rajan Mumbai