Bihar’s Mahabharat

— I.R. Sharma On e-mail

Small doubt

•

APROPOS of the report, ‘Lata lends voice to PM’s verse’, when masters of their fields come together there is nothing left but purity and sweetness. But why did they release this album at the time of elections?

— Sushant R. Joshi On e-mail

Money, honey!

•

IF the asset declarations filed by political candidates are any indication, then politics seems to be quite an enriching experience — at least for professional politicians (IE, April 7). It is yet another indicator that our economy has been resurgent for politicians and, for sure, these political affidavits cannot be expected to reveal all. The benami and cash component will remain out of sight — much like in an iceberg. Who says India is not shining?

— Raghubir Singh Pune

Joshi’s bluff

•

THE prime minister’s intervention that expedited recruitment of professors at AIIMS has sufficiently exposed the advantages of autonomous decision-making (‘Centres of control’, IE, April 7). Similarly, IIMs should be allowed to remain autonomous so that the country can continue to reap benefits from these institutions of excellence. A reduction in fees won’t erode their autonomy, as has been argued by our honourable minister. But what is the credibility of such statements when oil sector PSUs have not been allowed to increase the prices of petroleum products because of the imminent elections despite the administered pricing mechanism being in force?

— Gaurav Malhotra On e-mail

•

I HOPE, in the same vein, the civil aviation minister cuts air fares on Indian Airlines and Air-India so that the poor can also have access to this mode of transportation (‘IIMC chief signs on Joshi dotted line’, IE, April 4).

— Arun On e-mail

•

WHILE Joshi might be addressing the concerns of the poor, to make the IIMs more accessible, there is in fact another problem which requires immediate attention — the exorbitant fees commanded by “coaching institutes”. The poor cannot afford such a luxury, which in recent years has become a necessity. Can Joshi address this issue first, please?

— John K. Ivan On e-mail

Poor umpiring

•

WHILE the Pakistan batsmen deserve all praise for their Test victory, it has to be said that the umpiring in this match has been terrible. Steve Bucknor, in particular, seems to have lost his grip on umpiring international matches and should be removed from the panel of international umpires.

— D.C. Maheshwari On e-mail