But for the timing
* The Central government has finally recommended to the president that the mercy petition of Afzal Guru need not be considered (Reject Afzal Gurus mercy petition,IE,August 11). He was convicted of conspiracy in the December 13,2001,Parliament attack an act that doesnt warrant any leniency. So,its intriguing why the government took so long to decide on the issue. Equally intriguing is the timing of the present announcement. All these years,the government has resisted pressure from opposition parties. Is the government,attacked on all sides for many alleged scams,now trying to divert public attention? The UPA has a habit of politicising every issue.
V.M. Swaraj,Chennai
Object lesson
* The Supreme Court has wisely and sensibly dispensed with Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaas wish to change the entire school syllabus in Tamil Nadu (SC orders Jaya govt to implement DMKs uniform education system,IE,August 10). The DMKs move to standardise the syllabus across the state was most welcome as it did away with irregularities and discrepancies and ensured a uniform standard of education for all. Jayalalithaas only reason to revoke it was her antipathy to the DMK. This was just an act of political grandstanding.
Suren Abreu,Mumbai
A model
* Although the CAG is doing a great job,sometimes such institutions find it difficult to restrict themselves to their limited jurisdiction (Keep it factual,IE,August 9). The increased media attention on the CAG reports has played its role in the accountant turning into a superhero recently. The CAG should look to the Election Commission,an institution that has played a very effective role without any over-reach,as a worthy model.
Kumar Abhina,New Delhi
Over and out
* Virender Sehwag getting out for a duck on the very first ball he faced at the Edgbaston Test was not surprising. Out of action for a while,he was playing after undergoing a major surgery. Add to this the pressure caused by unjustified expectations to turn the series around. Whats more worrying is Sachin Tendulkars form. He will get his 100th ton,but it would be a miracle if he gets it in England. Still,I am inclined to believe the competition would have been close if Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan were fully fit and playing.
S. Rajagopalan,Chennai
Truly Catch-22
* I read Joseph Hellers Catch-22 with immense enjoyment over 35 years ago,and remember in particular its simple and earthy turn of phrase. But now,having traversed through a deeply researched critique of the book (Catching Yossarian,IE,August 11),I wonder whether I ever read it at all!
R.P. Subramanian,New Delhi
