Opinion H1N1 debates
The fear surrounding the H1N1 virus is justified . The question is how organisations like the WHO failed to advise and coordinate restrictions on travelling from countries...
• The fear surrounding the H1N1 virus is justified . The question is how organisations like the WHO failed to advise and coordinate restrictions on travelling from countries affected in the initial days of the pandemic. In India,the Union health ministry clearly failed to react in time,toughen its stand and issue travel advisories and impose strict airport checks. Under the circumstances can the public be blamed for its lack of confidence in the states ability to tackle the spread of the pandemic?
Saurabh Sharda
• Relevant authorities such as the Union health ministry,the medical fraternity and academic experts deserve to be applauded for their sensible response to the swine flu. However,even as advances in technology and medicinal improvements emerge,the challenges we face are also getting more and more taxing on our resources and our intelligence. Increased international travel across the globe,between the developed and developing worlds,etc has certainly helped the spread of the virus. Nevertheless,its in times like this that theres no alternative to a coordinated global effort. In India,in particular,with its vast population and general lack of public awareness,the government cannot allow itself any complacency.
L.R. Arun
Generating water
• Its a matter of grave concern that districts not limited solely to UP,but including Bihar and Maharashtra,will be affected by this years drought. The Planning Commission has worked on a series of reforms which would join major rivers and canals with the aim of avoiding droughts. Such necessary measures must be followed through.
Deepak Chikramane
Mumbai
Beyond belief
• This refers to This is what you will see soon… . The goal of installing a giant Shivaji statue off an island in Mumbai is extravagant. The city already has its fair share of problems that the state government continues to grapple with; what will this addition to the city do for its inhabitants? Is this merely a pre-election gimmick? Such projects serve to irritate,maybe even anger,people as they amount to mere excess. Further,does the state have so much money,such as it is allocating for this project?
Roda D. Hakim
Baroda
Cleaning up
• Garbage accumulation and unhygienic health conditions have become endemic to the lives of villagers and NREGA can serve as a potent medium to mobilise people to be responsible for their own cleanliness and the health and hygiene of their living conditions. Devolution of resources and tasks to the villagers themselves ought to kick-start a campaign that may well ensure greater cleanliness in rural areas.
John Alexander
Nagpur
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