Keep talking

• This refers to your editorial, ‘Moving back to move on’ (IE, November 15). Pervez Musharraf has stepped out of his stated p...

• This refers to your editorial, ‘Moving back to move on’ (IE, November 15). Pervez Musharraf has stepped out of his stated position on Kashmir and this has elicited a matching gesture of troop withdrawal in J&K by India. True, it is a calculated risk knowing that Musharraf has his cup full, contending with militants and fanatics in his own country. Even so, this presages a welcome departure from the frozen positions of the past.
These are hopeful signs in the air that people of all shades of opinion on both sides are tiring of the violence and uncertainty. That does not mean that India must not remain vigilant. But India should remain positive about the thaw and keep up the momentum of dialogue at all levels.

— H. Satyanarayana New Delhi

Let’s discuss law

• Apropos of your editorial ‘Pontiff and the law’ (IE, November 15), everybody is concerned about the rule of law. But does it exist in India? You have central ministers like Taslimuddin against whom not one but many murder cases exist. He is still in the cabinet. Also, the law itself says that chief ministers and prime ministers have certain rights and they cannot be arrested just like that. Why should they be given special privileges while people like the Shankaracharya are not? We need to begin a participatory discussion on these subjects.

— P. Lakshminarasimhan Dubai

Blame the gods!

• A stampede, of all places, at the railway station in New Delhi, the capital city of the country, killing five persons and injuring many! If only our leaders and bureaucrats talked a little less and worked a little more to put in their honest penny’s worth of contribution, we would be a much safer lot. Incidentally, some time ago the railway minister held Lord Vishwakarma responsible for a rail accident. Pray, which god/goddess is to blame for the present tragedy?

— S.C. Kapoor Noida

Shine the light

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• H.D. Shourie has articulated a concern that is vital for a functioning democracy in his series on systemic corruption, particularly regarding the role of watchdog institutions that can only watch, not act. As former Additional Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General of India, I had voiced my concerns in the Indian media and had suggested that the answer lies in these watchdogs considering themselves as servants of the people and coming out with a proactive presentation of their findings. The sittings of the Public Accounts Committee should be thrown open to the media and public.

— S. Soundararajan Portsmouth

A new ministry!

• Shourie’s articles on how corruption is corroding the system in India, comprehensively expose the rot which prevails, damaging India’s image internationally, curbing economic growth by diverting investment, foreign and domestic, to other destinations. Corruption saps the confidence of the people, spreading despondency and despair. Year after year Transparency International ranks India high in the index of the most corrupt countries. Yet there is no reaction from the government. May be the reason is that corruption as a subject does not stand allocated to any ministry. Perhaps we need to set up a Ministry of Corruption!

— Ajit Kumar Delhi

H-1B $100,000 entry fee explained: Who pays, who’s exempt, and what’s still unclear?

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The White House's decision to impose a $100,000 entry fee on H-1B visa holders has sparked worry among Indian tech workers and students. While uncertainties remain about its implementation and exemptions, major tech companies have cautioned employees against traveling. The policy could lead to a shift towards other visa categories and potentially change the STEM immigration pipeline.

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