Opinion Irreversible choices
Any ambitious undertaking invariably has accompanying risks. The Delhi Metro is a big project,carrying its inherent risks....
•Any ambitious undertaking invariably has accompanying risks. The Delhi Metro is a big project,carrying its inherent risks. But theres also a clear risk-reward ratio. The loss of lives in the recent accident is sad; but as a society we cant reverse our developmental choices. We should endorse the work culture that Sreedharan has brought to India and the confidence in execution he embodies. However,we do lack a system of incisive and impartial analyses of mishaps and of accountability.
Ajay Tyagi
Moral education
•Social prejudices may or may not have external causes (What class are you in?,IE,July 23). The practice of sati or the obstacles created towards widow remarriage could be tackled by the enactment and enforcement of law. However,today,when there are familial objections to a marriage because one of the partners is low caste,more often than not caste is not stated as the reason. But there is little law enforcement operating here. It is only through educating the people that one can fight such battles. Allowing children of different castes and socio-economic background to mingle freely is parental duty and may prove to be an effective means of removing prejudices. The right to education bill is a good starting point.
Bidyut Kumar Basu
Too many cooks
•There are too many entities within the spectrum of government institutions that are in conflict with each other (DMO delays,IE,July 23). While the setting up of an independent DMO is a step in the right direction it is indicative of the fact that the government needs to exit from business ventures that it takes part in. The most obvious conflict of interest is that of the government as the employer as well as the vote seeker from those very employees. Perhaps this is the reason behind an obvious lack of an effective chain of command in government organisations.
Raghu Seshadri
The others
•Ajmal Kasabs confession is an achievement for our judicial system,legal fraternity and investigation agencies. However,the obvious loser in this scenario is Pakistan,which is now more and more being exposed as a state that sponsors terrorism. The fear is that Kasab will not be the last person on such a
mission unless India is willing to take a stronger position against Pakistan. Our attitude thus far has been one of accommodation and it only serves to strengthen non-state actors from across the border.
Amit Pradhan
Baroda
Open the doors
•This refers to Doctors without borders (IE,July 23). Since Indian doctors are allowed to practise medicine in foreign countries after clearing their requirements,its unfair to deny doctors from other countries the same privilege. We do live in an increasingly globalising world and welcoming doctors from foreign shores will allow us to exchange knowledge and expertise.
M. Ratan
New Delhi