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Journalism of Courage
• Rajeev Shukla observes that much hue and cry is made over MPs’ salaries every time enhancements are made (‘Notional perks’, Frontfoot, IE, August 6). Yes, the basic salary of Rs 12,0000 is very small compared to the salary of an under-secretary. But no official gets a princely amount as sitting fees for working in his own workplace. No officer gets a corpus to distribute which goes by the name of constituency allowance. No officer gets a pension if his service is only for two years!
— T.S. Rao Singapore
• Of the 500-odd MPs we have, Shukla has been able to list only two names of honest MPs. I can list several names — without doing background research — who would make even a don feel inadequate! When we see people like Laloo Prasad Yadav and George Fernandes continuing as ministers, people like Shahabuddin ensuring that honest officers are not allowed to do their jobs, how do you expect us to have faith in our MPs?
— Sudhir Sharma Pathumthani
• Please remember even a bank clerk has to have minimum qualifications and experience for his job. Secondly, they are supposed to be full-time professionals. So please don’t insult our professional working class!
— Sudhakar Nair Delhi
• If the salaries and perks of MPs are so low how come they want their sons and other family members to become MPs?
— Kishore Gersappa Mumbai
Great judge
• The respected justice, M. Katju, would have done a great service if everyone in the legal profession (from lawyers to judges) takes note of his insightful comments. Fali Nariman has helped us understand the profoundity of Justice Katju’s legal comments (‘A judge above contempt’, IE, August 5). It’s people of their calibre who really protect the freedoms we enjoy. Justice Katju has clarified the limits of judicial power and the dharma of a judge. A brilliant analysis indeed, Mr Nariman.
— Gokul Kunnath Atlanta
• The great Nariman still retains his courage (and perhaps he is one of a fast dying out species!). The country cannot develop unless people stand up for truth. The issue of corruption in the judiciary is a burning issue. I wonder what happened to the idea of a national judicial commission?
— Arvind Kumar Patna
Team India
• Both Ian Chappel and Rahul Dravid should have a close look at Team India and also Team Sri Lanka. Jayasuriya, despite carrying the burden of opening the innings, comes on to bowl his flat Darren Lehman-like shooters to keep the scoring down and also pick up wickets, Dilshan is more than useful as a slow bowler and Russel Arnold, too, can pitch in on slow turners. Sri Lankan captains use them well and don’t dismiss them as half bowlers. Take Team India. Kaif was a good office while playing for the under-19 team and he is hardly used as a bowler, Laxman had bowled his offbreaks even at the Ranji level and he is never called upon to improve his bowling to take on some responsibility, Viru, of course, is getting his chances while Yuvraj can develop into another Jayasuriya! Sourav Ganguly’s bowling days are over, as for his batting, the fuel in the tank seems to be fast depleting and as for fielding, he himself knows maharajas cannot run!
— Neel Patri New Delhi
