Opinion Empty growth
The editorial Earth calling makes the sensible point that sustainability and growth must not be pitted in opposition to each other
Empty growth
* The editorial Earth calling (IE,October 22) makes the sensible point that sustainability and growth must not be pitted in opposition to each other. Addressing environmental and developmental concerns is not a zero-sum game. The filth,pollution and decaying infrastructure that characterise high growth enclaves across the country are evidence of how utterly false and inequitable Indias growth has been. If Indias growth is to have any real meaning,every citizen must first have access to the basic necessities that enable a life of dignity. Clean drinking water,toilets,primary health care,good schools and shelter are still unavailable to hundreds of millions.
R.P. Subramanian
Last laugh
* WITH Jaspal Bhattis tragic death,we have lost the only genuine political satirist of our times (Jaspal Bhatti,Sardar of Satire,dies in Punjab car crash,IE,October 26). His ability to mock the upper echelons of society in a simple and direct manner kept viewers in splits of laughter,even days after watching him perform. He brought up contentious social issues such as corruption,inflation and female foeticide in a light but meaningful way. Fans will never forget his deadpan delivery of the the famous punch line: Isme hairani ki kya baat hai? Rishwat lekar andar gaye the,rishwat dekar bahar aa gaye. May his soul rest in good humour.
Ajay Tyagi
Golden opportunity
* THIS refers to Last-chance saloon (IE,October 26). All the cabinet reshuffles that the UPA government has undertaken so far have been ineffective. One cannot recall a single instance in which a minister was promoted on the basis of merit. The UPA has also not sacked inept ministers,thereby failing to convey the signal that performance is important in determining whether key ministers are retained or replaced. When will Rahul Gandhi assume a position in which he is directly answerable to the people? One might assume that Manmohan Singhs earlier reshuffles were forced to comply with coalition compulsions. However,with the UPA having shed some of its most troubling allies,this is a golden opportunity for him to bring fresh and effective ministers into the cabinet.
Ganapathi Bhat
Akola
Choose wisely
* THE upcoming cabinet reshuffle may be the last chance for the prime minister to show that he wants the government to be more effective. This will only be possible if high profile ministers are chosen from the Lok Sabha. The ministers from the Rajya Sabha are not accountable to people because they are not directly elected. Their loyalty is primarily toward their party. In contrast,members of the Lok Sabha are voted into power by citizens. They should therefore be given greater responsibility in the cabinet.
Vinod Sharma
Moga
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