Letters to the editor

I partially disagree with the piece, 8216;Quality at Rs 500 a day?8217; by Yamini Aiyar.

Work worth Rs 500

8226; I PARTIALLY disagree with the piece, 8216;Quality at Rs 500 a day?8217; by Yamini Aiyar IE, September 12. Even though it may be an insubstantial amount compared to what MPs and Senators receive in the UK and US, there is a lot that can be done with it, but is not being done. They are reluctant to discuss the important issues of the day ranging from social welfare issues to growing threats to India8217;s security. Every adjournment of the House increases the overheads amounting to thousands of rupees.So the real question that needs to be asked is: how has the country benefited from giving our MPs Rs 500 a day?Have these men and women ever thought of the country8217;s interests? Have they contributed to deepening Indian democracy? Have they become the voice of the people in the House? Well, if we get answers to these questions, we will know whether the Rs 500 a day has been well-spent, and whether more incentives need to be given to our MPs.

8212; Nayanish P. Patil

Pune

Boundless Gita

8226; THERE was nothing unexpected about the sharp reactions to Judge S. N. Srivastava8217;s observation on the Bhagavad Gita Letter, 8216;Hand on Gita8217;, IE, September 14, given the way secularism is practised in this country. But the value of the spinach in our backyard is little realised until it is hailed by western countries. The Bhagavad Gita is replete with moral codes like Thirukural, and is part of the Indian ethos. The US Senate recently commenced with the recital of hymns from the Vedas. A prominent college in Nevada, is all set to offer classes on the Bhagavad Gita. Warren Hastings, when he was the viceroy of India, wrote, 8220;It may be that India is lost one day, but England, no mater however small it may become will remain in its pinnacle glory if the lofty ideals of 8216;Bhagavad Gita8217; which sprung from India are brought in practice in England8221;. So it goes without saying that Bhagvad Gita, and Thirukual, have no boundaries, as they belong to the universe.

8212; V. E. Venkataramani

Chennai

Raising all boats

8226; THIS refers to 8216;Hamara Richistan8217; 8216;Thinking Aloud8217;, The Sunday Express, Sept 9. Economics is defined as the science of production and distribution of wealth. Many do not understand the concept of distribution of wealth and they invariably think of it in terms of giving alms or grants. This is a wrong interpretation. The distribution of wealth is about providing the poor the means to upgrade themselves, get out of the vicious circle of poverty. The poor remain so, as they do not have the 8216;strength8217; or avenue to get out of their poverty. Access to micro-finance can lead many to self-employment. Others need to be made employable. Since the rich are better qualified better connected and have better resources, they are able to upgrade themselves. We should not grudge them their net worth. But they can leverage their resources better, to help bring many out of the poverty trap.

8212; K. Raghu

Ahmedabad

Not game

8226; EVEN after winning the

Asia Cup, no reward was announced from the sports ministry for our hockey team. Its performance was excellent: 53 goals were scored in six matches. By any reckoning, this can be considered one of the finest victories in the history of Indian hockey. Yet proper national recognition continues to elude them. Such treatment lowers player morale and public enthusiasm for the game. Cricket may be our religion, but we should not forget that hockey is our national game.

8212; Marzun E. Jokhi

Ahmedabad