Letters to the editor

I read with interest your editorial, ‘Wealth of a notion’. While I thank you for giving your thoughts to such a serious matter, it must be understood..

Have-nots, where?

• I READ with interest your editorial, ‘Wealth of a notion’ (IE, May 26). While I thank you for giving your thoughts to such a serious matter, it must be understood that the reforms were brought in in the first place to close the gap between the haves and have-nots or, rather, to provide for the have-nots. The reforms have only helped haves and the lesser among haves (read the middle class), rather than the have-nots. The reason is the inefficiency of the government and its corrupt machinery. Hats off to our people for their ‘jugad’ technology, enterprise and resilience. They have not demanded social security, which should have formed a part of the reforms. The reason could also be their inability to nudge the almighty ‘mai-baap sarkar’, lack of education and the fact that they are not organised. How can one forget the millions of workmen who build houses and offices for the rich for a paltry daily wage, with no security of any sort for their future? Forget the millions of farm hands who produce the stuff that the rich consume at their dining tables for a small return? Even the water that comes to cities is brought from hundreds of miles away, often depriving the local population of it. In short, the economy and politicians only help the haves. Who will help the have-nots?

What is to be done? Provide social security. Help the rural have-nots. How can a country like India do without our core strength — agriculture? There is a large amount of rural energy available by way of manpower and animal power, and an answer could be to allow SEZs with the help of private participation for agri-based products. Tax the people who are benefiting from the reforms, by way of a cess on money earned with foreign collaboration, and/or by taking a slice out of the profits expatriated.

— D.J. Deshmukh, Mumbai

Political wiles

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• THE recent violence in Rajastan between Gurjjar and Meena communities is due to what independent India’s politicians are doing. Divide and rule was a policy of the British to rule India. The same rule is being used by Indian politicians to come to power. Today there are no Indians. Only Hindus, Muslims, OBCs, SCs, STs and brahmins.

— Nair Mohanan C., Bardoli

Averting arson

• IT was a terrible day for India when Rajasthan burned. What I cannot understand is why the agitators had to remove fish-plates from tracks, attack train, torch cars and buses, block highways. It was nauseating to see them get away with it.

Who cares for us, the aam aadmi? Is this the India we fought for? The police find themselves in a Catch-22 situation. If they use force to control these mobsters, the courts find them using excessive force. If they just stand by, the public gets disgusted. The only way out is to hold

dialogue with the disgruntled.

— Roda D. Hakim, Ahmedabad

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Pakistan-Afghanistan ties: Past imperfect, present tense, future uncertain

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Pakistan and Afghanistan have a long history of tension and conflict, stemming from border disputes and control over transit and trade. The Durand Line has been a major point of contention, dividing Pashtun tribes and causing resentment in Afghanistan.

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