Killing the beast

This refers to the editorial 8216;Hotel 9/208217;. Islamabad must indeed recast its security strategy in the regional context.

This refers to the editorial 8216;Hotel 9/208217;. Islamabad must indeed recast its security strategy in the regional context. Pakistan8217;s democracy has been made wobbly by successive military and military-controlled civilian rulers. It is time the Pakistani army and civilian leaders shed the temptation to 8220;teach8221; India a lesson.

The US and Pakistan8217;s proxy war in Afghanistan had opened a quiet front against India, which would help the Kashmir militancy. In their scheme of things, it didn8217;t occur to the Pakistani establishment that they were breeding a Frankenstein 8212; Al-Qaeda and Taliban 8212; that would soon turn on them. Pakistan needs to introspect and its president, Asif Ali Zardari, needs to rein in the ISI and tell the army that enough is enough. But does Zardari have the nerve and power to do so?

8212; Prasad Malladi

Nidadavole

For the people

This refers to the editorial 8216;Ways of tribute8217;. The outburst of public sentiment at M.C. Sharma8217;s funeral was evidence of the dedication and determination of our police forces. Sharma laid down his life to save the aam aadmi. The government has a duty to adequately compensate his grieving family.

But it is disheartening to know that vacancies in the Delhi police force are yet to be filled.

8212; Deepak Chikramane

Mumbai

Fast forward

I agree with Yoginder K. Alagh that the access to fast-breeder technology is India8217;s real gain from the nuclear deal 8216;Old deal8217;, IE, September 20. Besides, we need to honour scientists like Placid Rodrigues. Perhaps soon our nuclear scientists will find the means of generating cheap electricity from our own thorium-based technology.

8212; G.V. Mallan

Pune

Politics matters

Bibek Debroy8217;s article, 8216;How not to do business8217;, accurately highlights the problems of starting a business in India. However, it is another matter altogether that even the layman can tell that the World Bank report was the result of mostly 8220;desk work8221;. Among the many important parameters left out of the report, the political context of the country concerned is rather significant.

8212; Amit Kishore

Patna

Helpless

Whenever natural disasters struck India, our never-say-die attitude saw us through. However, the disaster management by our governments has been dismal, and it8217;s very sad that even after 60 years of independence there is no tangible mechanism in place to save the lives of citizens in such emergencies.All we need to do is take a look at Bihar and Orissa. Can8217;t our leaders rise above their petty politics and help the marooned and suffering people shattered by the devastating floods?

8212; Mohammed Mubarak

Ranchi