Call their bluff

If they were serious about preserving Indian culture,they would first and foremost have adopted other means for registering their disgust with the ways of the world.

The Sri Rama Sene that assaulted women at a Mangalore pub consists of nothing but goons Girls,interrupted,

IE,January 27. If they were serious about preserving Indian culture,they would first and foremost have adopted other means for registering their disgust with the ways of the world. It is imperative for the authorities to proscribe this gang and severely punish the perpetrators of the assault. Many of us may be concerned with changing social norms or permissiveness,but we cant for a moment forget the distinction between means and ends. Sri Rama Senes means proved their ends were distinct from what they claimed those to be.

S. Rajagopalan

Chennai

Flawed probe

One wonders why the Satyam saga is being investigated solely by the Andhra police while Central authorities like Sebi sit on the sidelines. A single,specialised federal agency should take charge of the investigation. The involvement of too many agencies or overdependence on the state police will jeopardise the probe. There is much to learn from corporate fraud investigations in the West.

Hemant Kumar

Ambala

Obama optimism

The Obama administrations emphatic warning to Pakistan that it would be held accountable for the terror infrastructure in its territory should make India optimistic. But Obamas promise to provide non-military aid to Islamabad is risky. The US is still paying for Pakistans double standards over post-9/11 tactical cooperation in Afghanistan. As presidential contender,Barack Obama had called for military operations within Pakistan. Now that hes president,he knows that option is difficult. Nevertheless,he is expected to handle things much better than George Bush. A jittery Pakistan,no wonder,has already started playing the China card.

Mathew Oommen

Pune

Talibanising Pakistan

This refers to Radio spreads Talibans terror writ IE,January 26. The beautiful Swat Valley is under Taliban control. School-going girls and those who dare to challenge the fundamentalists are shot or beheaded or hanged. Pakistan deserves to lose the Swat Valley for not tackling terrorism upfront. Talibanisation will consume Pakistan soon.

Deepak Chikramane

Mumbai

Behind success

The forecast for global industrial growth for 2009 is bleak. In this climate of uncertainty,Gujarat appears to offer industrial opportunity. The main culprit behind the economic crisis is the business edifice that stood on a weak foundation. This shaky knees effect persists in many Indian states. However,Gujarat has a fundamental policy of a strong resource base for industrial growth. Gujarats consistent infrastructure development is the reason behind its success and its better prospects for 2009.

V.K. Saxena

Ahmedabad