Sop trouble

8226; After coming to power on the promise of free power in Maha...

8226; After coming to power on the promise of free power in Maharashtra, its rollback is at least political breach of trust. Promising free power, regularising slums up to convenient cut-off dates, inclusion of some sections in the OBC lists, are games political parties play on election-eve. This is the moment for the Election Commission to lay down a blanket ban on gimmicks like 8216;India Shining8217;, free power, slum regularisation, minority vote-banking, communal reservations, at least two years prior to elections. Farmers must be ensured a fair price for their produce rather than doling out unavailable free power and plunging states in darkness.

8212; Raghubir Singh Pune

A firmer PM

8226; It is sad that there is still such a strong dynastic influence in the Congress party 8216;A year of living decorously8217;, IE, May 11. It shows the lack of character of the party. I wish Manmohan Singh would assert himself. We can ill afford the image of a weak, ideology-less PM.

8212; Sujit Chicago

Educating Bihar

8226; I welcome the parliamentary approval granting the status of a central institution to Allahabad University. I request the government to bestow a similar status on Patna University. Whereas the number of central universities in Uttar Pradesh has now reached four, in Bihar it remains zero. Even smaller states like Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland have at least one central university each. I am aware that most people will pooh-pooh the very idea of Bihar having a central university, but that kind of cynicism helps nobody.

8212; P.K. Jha On e-mail

Talking big

8226; The big talk about turning Mumbai into another Shanghai must be tested against parameters. For instance, does the city allow enough free space to the people for their recreation? Just building highrises isn8217;t development.

8212; Pramod Mumbai

Remember, Sonia

8226; I am always amused and mildly irritated whenever the 8216;Lady with the acquired Halo8217;, Sonia Gandhi, indulges in the act of accusing NDA. It seems she is diverting the nation8217;s attention from some key things. One, the utter opportunism of recruiting people like Sanjay Nirupam. Two, the disgraceful way in which Sheila Dikshit to whom Congress owes its victory was treated. Three, Laloo on a rampage. Four, Left8217;s rantings. Five, Congress fiascos in Jharkhand and Goa.

8212; Rahul Mumbai

It8217;s our city

8226; I would like to draw your attention towards the increase in the pollution
of river Yamuna. Delhi8217;s people are using poly bags which are harmful to our environment. The waste of industries is discharged in the river without any treatment. This waste contains many harmful chemicals. Polluted water spreads diseases. The people of Delhi must come forward to clean the Yamuna. I request NGOs to guide us in cleaning the river. I also request the government to strictly advise people not to pollute the river. If we want to remain healthy, we should clean water, clean Delhi and green Delhi.

8212; Deepak Bhandari School student New Delhi