General confusion

In the ongoing UN general assembly session once again there is talk of India being a rightful candidate for a permanent seat on the Security...

In the ongoing UN general assembly session once again there is talk of India being a rightful candidate for a permanent seat on the Security Council, and Pakistan is as usual showing acute symptoms of its yearly Kashmir itch.

Whatever be the permutations and combinations, India must play an important part in the new world order 8212; be it with regard to the fight against terror or to world trade. New equations with countries like Israel and China as well as its leadership of developing counties at the WTO ministerial at Cancun have given India a stronger international profile. In addition, it is home to one-sixth of the world8217;s population and has a strong democracy.

All this makes India a strong claimant for permanent membership of the Security Council.
8212; Raghubir Singh, Pune

US President George W. Bush8217;s speech at the UN was for domestic consumption: to show that America8217;s unilateral war on Iraq was the right step and that he can still be very tough with the UN for not supporting his war. Well, the outcome is that the people of America as well as its soldiers in Iraq are disappointed, which is showing up in the polls, where Bush is slipping.

The UN8217;s multilateralism has been badly shaken. In his speech Bush did not utter any reassuring words about returning to the multilateralism of the UN.
8212; Arvind Amin, On e-mail

The UN is not much more an effective organisation than the League of Nations was.
8212; Paul Anderson, On e-mail

Caste-ing doubt

I am not disagreeing with T.V.R. Shenoy when he heaps praise on Mata Amritanandmayi 8216;Birthday party thoughts8217;, IE, September 25. I believe more important is the attempt to point out that Sri Narayana Guru8217;s emphasis on self-upliftment and education are the best weapons against social oppression.

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I am surprised at Shenoy8217;s reference to an NRI brahmin who was reconverted to brahminhood after Mata8217;s advice that he resume wearing his sacred thread.
8212; Krishna K. Raman, On e-mail

In Paswan8217;s defence

As a rationalist, I would like to commend your newspaper8217;s efforts in fighting superstition 8216;What the cobra didn8217;t tell Mr Paswan8217;, IE, September 25.

Nevertheless, I would like to point out that a dogmatic rationalist is as dangerous as a charlatan. The first rule of science is honest inquiry followed by tempered acceptance or rejection. There are no universal truths and it would be wrong to science and wrong to society if your newspaper helps in outright rejection of ancient customs. I would definitely support Human Resource Development Minister Sanjay Paswan if tribal customs are studied to explore the knowledge base developed by ojhas and other such 8216;8216;spiritual healers8217;8217;.
8212; Ashutosh Tripathi, On e-mail

Well said, PM

I admire Prime Minister Vajpayee for the praise he heaped on Sonia Gandhi, leader of the opposition 8216;Vajpayee sings Sonia8217;s praises in a foreign land8217;, IE, September 25. Both of them, apart from being 8216;8216;politicians8217;8217;, are human beings first, and they do not miss the opportunity to express it.

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A democracy cannot survive or thrive without an 8216;8216;effective8217;8217; opposition. Vajpayee, in spite of being surrounded by umpteen 8216;8216;hardliners8217;8217;, maintains an inimitable individuality, using the power vested in him judiciously.
8212; F.S.K. Barar, On e-mail