Irresponsible Uma

Why, PM?
• It is quite intriguing to note that despite the new evidence against Natwar Singh, the prime minister has chosen to keep him as a minister without portfolio. Is Manmohan Singh worried that if Natwar Singh is stripped of all ministerial perks and privileges, he will spill the beans and bring out more skeletons from the Congress cupboard? In any case, Manmohan Singh owes an explanation to the country. Why does he continue to shield tainted ministers? Does he really believe the cock-and-bull story that this is a “conspiracy” mounted by Natwar Singh’s detractors? If so, then in all fairness the prime minister should ask his former foreign minister to name these ‘conspirators’.

— Kishore Karnad Mumbai

Great column
• Congratulations for the new column,‘Chinese Takeaway’, a pioneering effort from the Express school of journalism. China is a believer of the adage that slow and steady wins the race. This is apparent from its growing GDP. Its foreign policy remains a tough nut to crack, even for a superpower like the US.

— Amit V. Sengupta Kolkata

How authentic?
• In the matter of ‘Bachchanalia’, our media has gone to great lengths to ‘sex up’ some of its reporting, but the ‘box item’ in the IE (December 5) took the cake: “Singh (the PM) sent a letter to Amitabh (wishing him a speedy recovery) through Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, which was delivered to the superstar at the hospital”. The casual mention of the PM’s name raises grave doubts about authenticity of such a letter.

— Mukund B. Kunte New Delhi

Amitabh and Dev

• Amitabh Bachchan should learn from Dev Anand, and pace himself better. Dev Anand, even at the age of 82, can still work for more than 12 hours a day. But he does not take on more than he can handle comfortably. Although crores of rupees worth of business ventures are today riding on Bachchan’s name, he should attend to his own health and take complete rest first. Even after he has fully recovered, he must restrict his working hours.

— Mahesh Kapasi New Delhi