Petty politics

I appreciate your editorial effort 8216;Sense of the deal8217; to advise L.K. Advani to rise to the occasion and give due importance to national interests.

8226; I appreciate your editorial effort 8216;Sense of the deal8217; to advise L.K. Advani to rise to the occasion and give due importance to national interests. Unfortunately, Indian political parties oppose for the sake of opposing, irrespective of the merits or demerits of what has been proposed. As a result, such opposition harms national interests and damages the reputation of such parties before the electorate. If the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal is killed by the Left, the reverses suffered by the country will be squarely blamed on the BJP. Brajesh Mishra should be applauded for his maturity and moral courage in supporting the deal. The BJP8217;s own interests too lie in showing such maturity and statesmanship.

8212; H.S. Gur

Hisar

Socialism revisited

8226; There are two lessons in the BRT chaos on Delhi roads. First, no matter how great an idea and how intelligent its proponents, closed minds cannot ensure success in the implementation of the idea. The BRT plan was never discussed with its intended beneficiaries such as bus commuters, drivers and those who travel in cars. Second, every scheme needs people at the top to take the responsibility for it. The CM and Union minister for urban development should have been prepared to take the credit or the blame for the BRT. These two lessons should serve as a future warning: socialist-style planning does not work.

8212; Pranav Sachdeva

New Delhi

Distant cousins

8226; Harbhajan Singh8217;s behaviour is a disgrace. However good he may be at cricket itself, it will be no good in the end unless he learns to control himself. In fact, Harbhajan reminds one of Mike Tyson. Unless he mends his ways, he may end up in prison too one of these days.

8212; Malsawmi Jacob

Mumbai

Blackmail buddies

8226; T.R. Baalu had not denied in the Rajya Sabha that he had browbeaten and obtained from the concerned ministry the resumption of gas supply to his sons8217; companies. Such audacity only hints at the power he and his leader, M. Karunanidhi, have over the UPA as a major coalition partner. It is a litmus test for the integrity of the prime minister 8212; will he act in the manner expected of him or will he meekly yield to the DMK to preserve his government?

8212; Lalitha V. Ramani

Chennai

Roughing it still

8226; The recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission seem to have disappointed the Indian armed forces. Unlike the armies in our neighbourhood, our officers are traditionally apolitical and disciplined. Never before have our soldiers needed and deserved more honour, respect and better remuneration for the work they do. When life is becoming more and more comfortable for every citizen in modern India, a soldier8217;s burden is becoming heavier with scant facilities and greater operational dangers.

8212; Mathew Oommen

Pune