Border security

Kerry is better

• In response to G. Parthasarathy’s ‘Our vote in their election’ (IE, Sept 18) I feel obliged to write in defence of the Democratic party and John Kerry. As an American citizen of Indian origin, I can honestly say that the status of Indians, both in India and in the US, will be greatly injured if Bush is reelected. It is a misrepresentation to state that Kerry is against outsourcing and that his presidency will decrease Indian revenues. Kerry simply believes that companies which take part in outsourcing should not receive US tax benefits. The tax laws that he refers to will not greatly decrease Indian outsourcing.
The policies of the Bush administration have been the most supportive of Pakistan. Besides, today’s Republican Party instills fear in the American public which could turn into a xenophobic fear. Republicans have openly supported racial profiling and continue to speak of an America that believes in God, specifically one God. I hope Mr Parthasarathy will reconsider His vote in Our election.

— Prem Ramaswami On e-mail

Breakfast hopes

• The US lifting the ban on ISRO is an achievement of the UPA government. We now look forward to the outcome of that breakfast meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Bush on September 21.

— Divyesh Raythatha Chennai

Dyslexic kids

• I am a counsellor and special educator from Mumbai. I have been working with children who have learning disabilities for the last 13 years. It was very disturbing to see a reputed newspaper like yours present information regarding dyslexic children which is completely removed from reality (‘Man’s best friend is also doctor…’,IE, Sept 18). To group dyslexic children with children who have autism and schizophrenia is giving an already misinformed public a totally wrong picture of what dyslexia really is. While dyslexia is a normal anomaly of the brain, autism and schizophrenia are not. Dyslexics are not uncommunicative at all. In fact one of the distinguishing factors is that they are very proficient in the spoken language as compared to their reading and/or writing skills. While doing the best to encourage and work with children who have disorders that are visible, we need to come together as a responsible society and also assist the 20 per cent or so students with hidden learning disabilities to achieve their full potential.

— Bela Raja Mumbai

Touching

• Tarun Vijay’s article ‘Imprisoned by the Left’ (IE, Sept 17) was very touching and personal. It is time that the voices of the conservatives are heard and their views discussed. This is good for the welfare and unity of the nation.

— Mel Redr On e-mail