Letters to the editor

Whilecommenting on the selection of Nobel laureate may be the prerogative of intellectuals...

Figuring economists

8226;While commenting on the selection of Nobel laureate may be the prerogative of intellectuals like Bibek Debroy 8216;Noble, in theory and practice8217;, he seems to be piqued by the choice of Leonid Hurwicz, as the latter does not meet the columnist8217;s personal criteria for the prize. Debroy then goes on with a rambling analysis of the award winner8217;s work and ends with the sentence, 8220;The level of understanding among the average economist isn8217;t terrible high either8221;. He has in this sentence unwittingly summed up the worth of the obscure contribution that economists claim to make to the modern world. It is said that if you give typewriters to an infinite number of monkeys, they could well come up with a Shakespearean play. I say that if you give typewriters to an infinite numbers of economists, no two opinions would ever be the same.

8212; Prem Khera Delhi

Bobby O

8226;Celebrating Bobby Jindal8217;s win as the governor of Louisiana only exposes our hypocrisy and sycophancy. No doubt an Indian-American has made history, but I strongly feel media celebrations for a man who changed his religion from Hinduism to Catholicism, never bothered to acknowledge the sentiments expressed by the people of his native village or family, never did anything good for his native land and did not bother to invite his family in India to share his joy, seems to me out of place. His win definitely makes news but does not make for celebrations.

8212; Vitull K. Gupta Bhatinda

8226;The celebrations were at full swing in Bobby Jindal8217;s ancestral Khanpura village as soon as he was announced as the governor of Louisiana. But the media8217;s obsession with this development recalled the coverage extended to Sunita Williams after her space voyage. Why should we rush to claim the Jindals and Williams as Indians, when everything about them screams 8220;American8221;? Sure, we can take pride in the fact that a person whose family came from this country has achieved something out of the ordinary. But to label her/his successes as 8216;Indian8217; achievements is unacceptable. It only undermines the numerous contributions of millions of Indians across the country, day after day, in making India the power it is fast becoming.

8212; Md Ziyaullah Khan

Kondha Pune

Pilot takes off

8226;This is with reference to the item in Coomi Kapoor8217;s column, Piloting his future. Seems like the youngest MP of India, Sachin Pilot, is a restless man. Pilot, recently imprisoned for two days when he courted arrest during the Gurjjar agitation across Rajasthan, was quite aware that this kind of move will help him gain a favourable image among his followers and carve out a special place for himself in the Gurjjar movement. On his alleged statements against unfair treatment by the officials during his much publicised stint behind bars, Pilot should have assessed the ramifications of the situation before courting arrest. Isn8217;t a jail meant to house law breakers? Surely it is not meant to provide luxuries? Or was the restless young MP expecting preferential VIP treatment here as well? Pilot needs to be reminded of the saying 8216;If you cannot stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen8217;.

8212; Ashish Mahajan Delhi

Dhoni8217;s our man

8226;Twenty 20 India captain, M.S. Dhoni, is the best thing to have happened to the Indian cricket, The man has displayed an ability and skill to lead from the front. Above all, he keeps a cool head and has no ego hassles whatsoever. He is also not in awe of the big names playing under his leadership, and appears to handle one and all with ease. Dhoni should be made the captain of the 8216;Test8217; side as well.

8212; S.N. Kabra Mumbai