Opinion Just vote
The Gujarat governments decision to make voting compulsory in local elections may be open to challenges in the courts but...
• The Gujarat governments decision to make voting compulsory in local elections may be open to challenges in the courts but the question of bringing voters to voting booths remains a larger worry for democracy. Despite the governments efforts the percentage share in voting has not shown any improvement it is a mere 50 per cent of the voters that decide who shall rule for the next five years. Further,by simply abstaining from voting it cannot be assumed that voters are disenchanted and do not want to exercise their right. In fact it should be made mandatory to cast a vote perhaps a negative vote in the ballot box to register their choice. Thus by casting a negative vote a strong message of disenchantment and lack of faith in parties and their policies is delivered. This would exhort them towards improving their performance.
Ashok Goswami
The needful
• This refers to Tweak,dont tighten. The argument in favour of an appreciation of the rupee is apt. The RBI can appreciate the rupee unlike China which has refused global demands for an appreciation of the RMB. Indian exports will not suffer much and the benefits will be large. The RBI needs to adopt a generic process of successfully sustaining new demands in a flexible manner. Further it has to cope with the strain of monetary imbalances and analyse social consequences such as the rise in food prices. It too should formulate identifiable stages of monetary policy that create opportunities for fiscal stability and economic growth.
Sandeep Krishan
Abohar
Duty bound
• It is reassuring that there are others who agree that Hasan Gafoors explanation should have been investigated instead of being dismissed cavalierly. This is not because I possess any special knowledge about the sort of person Gafoor was or about the circumstances of that night but because it is incumbent upon any government that takes itself seriously to thoroughly investigate any allegation or information from its own senior officials particularly when it has a bearing on an issue like 26/11. A painstaking and honest investigation will expose loopholes and mistakes.
Sherna Gandhy
Out with lethargy
• The first two recent ODI matches between Sri Lanka and India must serve as an eye-opener for the Indian team and management. India bowled hopelessly and our fielding efforts were not up to the mark. They were far from international standards and more effort is needed if India are to win the next World Cup. It can be seen that even after scoring over 400 runs in an ODI in Rajkot and over 300 runs in Nagpur we cannot bowl tightly.
Ratan Sharga
Delhi
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