We146;re fine

This refers to Shekhar Gupta8217;s column 8216;The fright and the wrong8217;. India remains a strong market economy with high growth.

8226;This refers to Shekhar Gupta8217;s column 8216;The fright and the wrong8217;. India remains a strong market economy with high growth. Financial stringency originating from banks will serve businesses all around to tighten belts, become leaner and more efficient. Stock markets are not always a true indicator of business efficiencies as can be seen through the success of small and medium enterprises.As long as these SMEs are healthy, our country is headed for consistent long-term growth. The decrease in commodity and oil prices will benefit India8217;s low-cost economy unlike the high-cost structure of the last two-three years. It is time to show leadership and an opportunity to set our own agenda of growth through industrialisation rather than getting carried away in the flush of services- and finance-led growth.

8212; Arun Bhandari

Nagpur

Government8217;s back

8226; It8217;s collective fear that is worse than actual fear. Shekhar Gupta8217;s column has highlighted that business-channel experts initially never questioned the gravity-defying flight of the Sensex; and now they are indulging in scare-mongering. In January 8216;08, there was a maddening rush to push the Sensex beyond 25K by the same channels. If today8217;s government takes some concrete and unorthodox initiatives, then we may infuse life early into the financial system. If the government announces major infrastructure projects then some core sectors will see early revival. The catch, however, is that the PPP model may not work since private investors have little funds. The government can become an investor or a bank guarantor and help preserve jobs, stabilise market confidence, and sustain growth.

8212; Ashish Kumar Sharma

New Delhi

Mid-flight

8226; We have yet another knee-jerk reaction from the UPA government in giving concessions to the airline sector through the re-scheduling of their payments to public-sector oil companies. Airlines are a premium sector, run privately by wealthy people among whom there are individuals who publicly flaunt their wealth. It doesn8217;t really have any relation to the aam admi.

8212; S. Kamat Goa

Divisive acts

8226; The disclosure that a duo of senior retired military officers is suspected of having provided training in assembling and handling explosives to a sadhvi and her associates, allegedly responsible for the Malegaon and Modasa blasts, has come as no shock. Misinterpration of religion today is the most decisive factor when it comes to matters of communal harmony. Instigating communal violence can only be attributed to opportunistic politicians who, armed with religion as the most potent weapon, and ably assisted by the inflammatory tactics of their pseudo-religious guides, wreak havoc on a country steeped in religious sentiment.

8212; Pachu Menon

Goa