Dixit’s secret

On slow burn

• It’s time the Central and state governments woke up to the threat of Naxalism (‘How much longer?’, IE, January 10). There are two types of strategies followed by those who want to undermine India’s integrity. The first: strike at the nation’s heart and the nation will notice you — for example, the terrorist attack on Parliament. The second: don’t strike at the heart initially but start gnawing at the outskirts — the Naxal way. As mentioned in earlier reports in your newspaper, there are 156 districts in India where Naxals hold sway — that is, where the Constitution and the law of the land don’t prevail. What greater threat can there be? Remember, the problem is much bigger than that created by explicit terrorist organisations because Naxals forge links with the downtrodden and sometimes even with political parties. The destruction is so slow and steady that we are not able to visualise or assess the extent of damage.

— Aruna Mumbai

Biased & brazen

• Congratulations to The Indian Express for exposing caste discrimination in relief and rehabilitation work in Tamil Nadu (‘Even Govt divides survivors on caste, says it’s practical’, January 8). It is a shame that even such a big natural calamity has not brought people together. It is shocking to read the statement of the district collector. But that is the reality and let’s work together to collectively overcome such caste prejudices.

— Anand Kumar New Delhi

No room for error

• With reference to your editorial ‘Three R’s’ (January 6), the effort of the government to provide relief to the affected people is laudable but the government has to see that relief measures don’t not fall prey to bureaucratese. The might and wherewithal of the government, which has refused external aid, is being put to the test.

— Siddhartha Raj Guha Jabalpur

In real life too

• So much aid is coming in from all over the world for those affected by the December 26 earthquake (‘India Giving’, IE, January 9). Even some of our filmstars, politicians and VIPs are involved in helping the victims. But amongst all of them, Vivek Oberoi still stands out. Hats off to him.

— Srivatsava Rangarajan Chennai

Lessons learnt

• The announcement of a National Disaster Management Authority at an all-party meeting convened by PM Manmohan Singh is indeed a very thoughtful and commendable step.

— Safiuddin Khan Aligarh