Reform pensions

Of human links

• In the wake of the recent SYL issue, a point that has come to the fore is our total lack of understanding of, and responsibility towards, our environment. India has immense climatic diversity and different regions are bound to face different conditions at the same time. While it is right to think of fellow countrymen suffering on account of floods and droughts, it is absolutely quixotic to assume that linking of rivers is the answer to the problem of water scarcity, whereas the reality is that it is only a supplementary solution. Natural phenomena such as floods and droughts are not disasters in themselves but turn into disasters when we are unable to cope with them and do not manage the ensuing situation by helping the affected people. The problems that we face today are largely the result of human activities and pollution of natural resources at all levels. While such a linking shall bring water to dry areas, can we be sure of it being used judiciously?

— Shubhru Gupt On e-mail

Stranded patients

• The deaths at New Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital should not be taken lightly by the authorities. Since it is a government hospital, a major proportion of the patients come from lower economic strata. They don’t have enough money to shift to private hospitals upon receiving substandard treatment.

— Rishu Beri Dehradun

One more look

• Apropos the article ‘An interior world’ by Rooma Mehra (IE, July 6), I would like to draw the attention of the sighted towards the gifts of nature in all its hues. I say draw attention because how often do we take time out from our busy schedules to enjoy the beauty of nature and thank the Lord with warm, honest gratitude for giving us the gift of sight?

— Sridhar Srinivasan Kuwait

Another school

• This is with reference to the article ‘Clay pot dictatorship’ (IE, July 15). TERI School of Advanced Studies would like to clarify that the article and the opinions expressed were solely of the author and not of the school. We would also like to clarify that Venkatesh Dutta is not a research fellow at the school but is a PhD student who is in receipt of a junior research fellowship from the University Grants Commission.

— Rajiv Seth TERI School of Advanced Studies New Delhi

Write back

• This is with reference to the article ‘‘Clay pot dictatorship’’ which appeared in The Indian Express on 15 July 2004. TERI School of Advanced Studies would like to clarify that the article and the opinions expressed were solely of the author and not of the School. We would also like to clarify that Mr Venkatesh Dutta is not a Research Fellow at TERI School of Advanced Studies but is a Ph.D. student who is in receipt of a Junior Research Fellowship from the University Grants Commission.

— Gp Capt Rajiv Seth (Retd) Teri School of Advanced Studies

• This is with reference to the article published in your newspaper dated 15 June 2004 titled ‘‘Centre mulls bringing in bureaucrats for J-K talks’’. The news item suggests that Hurriyat leader would meet both PM and Union Home Minister but for the substantive dialogue a team of JK experts would take over. An impression has been created that substantive dialogue with Hurriyat would be held at the bureaucrats level, instead of political leadership level. The news item suggests that a team has also been formed tentatively. Even the names of the officials of the team have been mentioned. It is surprising that despite an official press statement issued by Ministry of Home Affairs after a meeting convened by HM on 14 June 2004, the news item has been published without referring to the official press note or verifying facts from the concerned officers. I would like to clarify that there is no proposal with the Government to nominate a team of officers/J&K experts to meet Hurriyat for substantive dialogue. I would like to further add that the Union Home Minister has already indicated publicly that the next round of talks with the Hurriyat leaders will be held in July 2004, depending upon the convenience of the latter.

— Dr Rakesh Hooja Joint Secretary to the Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs

• The attention of the Ministry of Railways has been drawn to the above news item in your esteemed daily on 25 June 2004 on front page. I am desired to clarify hereby that the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri R K Singh, was not on the special train with the Minister of Railways in Bihar, as stated in the news item. In fact, Shri R K Singh was not there. Further, it has been stated that ‘‘work on the project has already started’’ which is totally false, misleading and based on wild speculation.

— M Y Siddiqui, Director Public Relations Ministry of Railways (PIB)

• In the report, ‘‘Congress stalls BJP bid to ‘secular debate in RS’,’’ on July 10, it was inadvertently mentioned that the Constitutional Amendment Bill was moved by BJP MP Dina Nath Mishra. The Bill was moved by Vidya Nivas Mishra. The error is regretted.