
Fading star
8226; It seems Sachin Tendulkar8217;s outburst camouflages his anxieties over the important issue which Greg Chappell rightly raised: that seniors were against the inclusion of juniors for the fear of losing their own well-guarded place, and that there was lot of groupism in the team. I think Chappell8217;s views merit serious attention. It is a fact that players like Tendulkar are past their prime. Tendulkar has been an icon, but he has merely rested on his laurels over the past two years or so. Tendulkar was booed last year during a one-day match in Mumbai. His recent utterances in the West Indies regarding his intentions to play the next World Cup also implies that Tendulkar may not be very confident that he can continue till then, going by his form. Which cricket administrator in BCCI has the guts to drop a Tendulkar, or even a Rahul Dravid? This is not Cricket Australia, where only your form counts.
8212; Prasad Lele, Baroda
Define yourself
8226; This refers to your editorial, 8216;Ceiling on India8217;, IE, April 6. Although you have now clearly declared your stand that government doesn8217;t have any role to play in the acquisition of land for industries, you still seem to be in doubt about your liberal leaning. Throughout the editorial you have been apologetic and are in fact worried that the total withdrawal of the state from the land acquisition process may put road blocks in the process of rapid industrialisation. Since when have liberals become concerned about 8216;rapid industrialisation8217;? The liberal idea is that of leaving society to develop at at its own pace, with the state just playing the role of a regulator, not intervening either to slow down this pace or increase it as your worry about rapid industrialisation suggests. This is the principled liberal stand. This might lead to some kind of disadvantage in terms of competition from someone else in this globalised world, where countries like China are ready to do anything to attract investment. But then it can8217;t be a liberal position. Your position would fall in the category of 8216;opportunist liberalism8217;. And I know you don8217;t like the epithet.
8212; Shekhar Pratap Singh, New Delhi
No FTV, please
8226; This refers to Shailaja Bajpai8217;s 8216;Crimes of the K-brigade8217; Telescope, IE, April 3. The writer is up in arms against our I038;B minister, Priya Ranjan Das Munshi because he imposes a three-month ban on AXN-FTV. Phew! Had I been at the helm of affairs, I would have banned it for eternity. In fact, one should applaud the minister for taking such firm steps. I know how people are hassled by the vulgarity and obscenity shown on FTV. I have seen working parents religiously blocking the FTV channel daily before leaving their homes. Today8217;s kids are fashion-conscious. These parents have heaved a sigh of relief.
8212; R. Vijayalakshmi Mumbai
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