Opinion A fine balance
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has rightly praised the initiative taken by The Indian Express in not only promoting excellence in journalism...
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil (Freedoms to question,IE,July 27) has rightly praised the initiative taken by The Indian Express in not only promoting excellence in journalism but also attempting to give expression to the collective aspirations of Indian society. No doubt,a healthy journalism endeavours to disseminate news,while at the same time free and fearless journalism shapes an enlightened public opinion.
Certainly,with fast growing competition and inflating costs,certain dubious and vested interests have spoiled the atmosphere,which should have been marked by honesty,integrity and individual conviction. As a result,trivial and even vicious items are projected as factual and truthful. Sometimes,aiming at sensationalism,the venom of communal hatred and violence is also spilled out. President Pratibha Patil has rightly advised a tolerant and harmonious approach amongst our journalists who must cherish democratic values with a sense of responsibility.
Ved Guliani Hisar
Our Talleyrand?
The editorial Yes,no,minister (IE,July 27) put the performance of External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna in Islamabad in proper perspective. Krishnas rebuke for Home Secretary G.K. Pillai was uncalled for. David Headleys revelations are known to Pakistan as well,so the home secretarys forthright comments couldnt have torpedoed the talks. In dealing with Pakistan,we need interlocutors of the calibre of Bismarck,Talleyrand,Earnest Bevin or Henry Kissinger a combination of top-flight diplomat and hard-nosed negotiator,who will be neither hoodwinked nor outfoxed by his or her counterpart.
John Alexander Nagpur
Talking points
This refers to Evidence of Pak blackmail,how ISI paid Taliban to hit Indians in Kabul (IE,July 27). Call me a cynic,but after pampering,appeasing and unwarranted concessions to 63-year-old Pakistan to buy peace and receiving humiliation,war and terror in return,its time New Delhi adopted a realistic policy. The argument that we cant change our neighbour and that a stable and prosperous Pakistan is in Indias interest is fallacious.
Pakistan is almost a failed state,of its own doing,where the army and extremists rule the roost. Its not Indias job to get the civilian governments writ run in Pakistan and make it stable and prosperous. India should stop engaging in futile talks with Pakistan.
M.C. Joshi Lucknow
No good
Indias bowling resources have been badly exposed on the Sri Lanka tour. The first day of the second Test was no exception,as the Sri Lankan batsmen scored a mammoth total at their own free will. Our bowling headed by Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh looks mediocre; it would even struggle to dismiss a state team twice,let alone an international outfit. Bowlers win matches,and India certainly do not deserve to be the No 1 Test playing nation in the world.
S.N. Kabra Mumbai
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