Letter of the Week

• The National Culture Policy has called for public action for promoting and nurturing plurality. This overlooks the unity of Indian culture that has evolved over centuries, transcending the barriers of geographical distance and different languages, castes, sects and religions. The terms ‘multiculturalism’ and ‘plurality’ are not appropriate for the Indian cultural scene. We have cultural diversity, but as variations on an identical theme. The National Culture Policy should aim at promoting culture that we share with the people of greater South Asia, despite political divisions.

Action taken in UP

• This refers to the news report,’Nishad held for cop’s murder, Maya warns party’. By promptly sacking Jamuna Prasad Nishad and letting the law to take its own course in Nishad’s arrest, UP Chief Minister Mayawati has done what no other political leader has dared to do. Politicians indulge in unlawful activities but escape the consequences thanks to the patronage of the political establishment, their own status and their constitutional privileges. Persons with criminal antecedents have become members of political parties, state legislatures, the parliament, and even head ministries.

If the leaders of other political parties gather the courage to act like Mayawati,lawlessness can be contained.

— M.C. Joshi

Lucknow

Merit to the fore

• It is talent and skilled human resource that can bring prosperity to nations. The United States is called “the land of opportunity for the right talent.” The secret of their progress is in their ability to attract and use the best human talent from around the globe. They do not place race or region above merit and skill. I hope our politicians and public will realise the consequences of having reservations on the basis of caste, religion or any other category. This system places a very low premium on merit, talent or skill, and therefore ends up reducing productivity. We need to invest in and overhaul our education system to nurture capable, innovative and efficient human resources.

— Satish Kapoor

Pune

Non-metro capital

• Your editorial, ‘Mumbai mantra’ has rightly highlighted Mumbai’s problems. Political will is essential to action. However, the main issue is having the state capital in Mumbai. State capitals are rarely housed in major metropolises. The Big Apple is not the state capital of New York state, neither is Dallas nor Houston the capital of Texas. The moment Mumbai is removed from its position as Maharashtra’s capital, the city will be decongested, and then a democratically elected mayor can govern the city. For this we require political will.

— V.P. Bhakta

New Delhi