My reservations

8226; It8217;s strange to observe our MPs going about so faithfully on the unending project of p...

8226; It8217;s strange to observe our MPs going about so faithfully on the unending project of providing reservations. The commitment they bring to framing and clearing laws on reservations make 8220;reservations8221; appear an end in themselves rather than a means for betterment of the targeted sections. Positive discrimination is welcome. But does it necessarily have to be eternal?
Has sufficient rigour to ensure that the benefits reach only the targeted sections and no person unworthy of them reaps the benefits, complemented good intentions? Is there any example of an area where reservations, having served their purpose, have been phased out? Isn8217;t it time we evolved alternative approaches of addressing the needs of the disprivileged? The minimum we must do is remind ourselves that 8220;reservations8221; are there to be 8220;ended8221;. After all, the smallest minority is the
individual.

8212; Gaurav Dua Delhi

8226; In order to bring about genuine metamorphosis in the plight of the downtrodden, the government must initiate reforms at the grassroots level, beginning with adequate education and health facilities.

8212; Anuja Seith New Delhi

It8217;s empowering

8226; Apropos of your editorial 8216;Mother of all ideas8217; IE, December 21, during the last more than 15 years of my deep association with the Indian Express, I have found it not only informative and educative but it has marked many a milestone on the path to national awakening. The 8216;India Explained, India Empowered8217; series running for the last more than four months has been one of Express8217;s innovative ideas of inspiring people from all sections of society to participate in making a grand 8216;8216;garland of ideas8217;8217;, to quote our President APJ Abdul Kalam. You have brought late Manjunath8217;s mother to the forefront of demanding justice from an establishment corrupt and indifferent to the common man8217;s travails and tragedies. You were the one to highlight the injustice done to Satyendra Dubey.

8212; Ved Guliani Hisar

Et tu Bhutan

8226; A late awakening to empowerment is that of Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who has decided to end his rule of his own volition and hold national democratic elections in the year 2008. He will only be a titular head thereafter. In these times when democracy is making long strides around the globe, it is reassuring that Bhutan could not remain the exception.

8212; Kedarnath Aiyar Mumbai

Winning combine

8226; With emphatic victories both in one dayers and the test series with Sri Lanka, it appears India has found the winning combination. It would be fatal to tinker with this due to any reason. It is a mix of youth and seasoned cricketers and probably just the right balance. It has a no-nonsense coach and a captain whose strength is not flamboyance but a quiet determination and staying power. After years of yo-yo swings, the cricket team is on a steady upward curve. We have every chance of becoming a winner in the 2007 world series.

8212; H.R. B. Satyanarayan On e-mail