Get it right

One really wishes someone as knowledgeable as Harsha Bhogle would not keep repeating that the ICC is made up of nations.

8226; One really wishes someone as knowledgeable as Harsha Bhogle would not keep repeating that the ICC is made up of nations. It is not. It is instead made up of boards/clubs from different countries. India is not a member of the ICC. The BCCI, a private organisation, is. It may sound pedantic, but it is very important that people understand that distinction. And a respected writer like Bhogle should not reinforce popular misconceptions.

As for how to fix the problem of the ICC8217;s weakness, the answer is simple. One cannot really expect a hundred countries to start playing cricket seriously. But what one can do is create dozens of teams within countries where cricket is already popular. Now, that is what the IPL and similar leagues have set out to do. Thus, the solution is to move away from cricket8217;s nation vs nation obsession.

8212; Mohan

Bangalore

First things first

8226; Without doing something about the high level of corruption and the low level of productivity that result in millions of avoidable governmental jobs, and without putting in place a hire and fire policy, it is meaningless to hike the salaries of the babus by the standards recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission.

8212; R.P. Rammohan

Hyderabad

Rotten to the core

8226; Julio Ribeiro has succinctly brought out the nexus, at various levels, between criminals and politicians, between criminals and the police and between the police and politicians 8216;Not by chance8217;. Ribeiro also draws attention to the delays that have become so inherent in our judicial processes to tackle the rising crime rate. In fact, the unwillingness of India8217;s political class to act on the police reforms suggested by the Sorabjee Committee may also be added to the list, and the Supreme Court orders thereof. Our crime scene is made worse by the fact that policemen are the undeclared henchmen of our politicians 8212; from the top to the bottom. Can this situation ever be remedied purposefully?

8212; M. Ramakrishna

New Delhi

Collective greed

8226; Abhinav Kumar, a working officer, should be admired for his forthrightness in putting his views in the public domain on the caste system and other ills that afflict India8217;s administrative services 8216;The other caste system8217;.

The Sixth Pay Commission8217;s recommendations have resulted in a nation-wide debate in the media on the inadequacy and lopsidedness of the official approach.

The official callousness and indifference are evident in the manner in which administrative reforms have been overlooked 8212; nor has the the pay hike been linked to performance, accountability and delivery.

Story continues below this ad

While concluding that the 8220;All India Services are now a pitiful caricature of the ideals of Nehru and Patel8221; Kumar has, however, not cared to spell out the deeper malady 8212; the collective connivance of the members of the elite services with their own seniors and political bosses in order to protect their own interests.

8212; M.Ratan

New Delhi

Free Tibet

8226; Every Tibetan has a right to fight to free his country from Chinese occupation.

It is sad and unfortunate that the international community and the UN have done precious little for the liberation of Tibet.

8212; J.N. Mahanty

Puri