Opinion Letters to the editor: Governed by politics

Increased attention to the Bay of Bengal region will not only help India improve its maritime ties.

July 16, 2014 12:09 AM IST First published on: Jul 16, 2014 at 12:09 AM IST

Governed by politics

This refers to the article ‘Governed by whim’ by P.D.T Achary (IE, July 14). Our constitutional scheme regards the governor as a non-partisan official who is to exercise executive power. However, the last few years have witnessed ruling parties at the Centre misusing the role of the governor for their own narrow interests. At a time when India has been being lauded for conducting the world’s biggest elections, the issue of maligning the role of the governor deals a strong blow to our democratic and political culture. The governor is expected to be the protector of the Constitution and should not be deployed an instrument of the Union government. There is an urgent need to implement the Sarkaria commission’s recommendations on selection and appointment of governors.
— Gaurav Pant
Lucknow

Whither promises?
Apropos of the editorial, ‘The right pressure’ (IE, July 15), it is unfortunate to see instances where the ruling class has not hesitated to twist laws and bend rules in its favour. The amendment to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Act merely because Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to appoint a principal secretary of his choice is unjustified. What was the urgency of the situation that an “ordinance” had to be issued to appoint Mishra in the first place, thereby superseding existing law? Modi had, during his election campaign, advocated that his government would be transparent and impartial. Where has that fair governance gone?
— R.K. Kapoor
Chandigarh

Welcome award
With reference to the article ‘Drawing Lines in the Water’ (IE, July 14), the significance of the Bay of Bengal in South Asia’s geopolitics cannot be exaggerated. The settlement of a maritime territorial dispute between Delhi and Dhaka through the award of an international tribunal is a momentous development. Increased attention to the Bay of Bengal region will not only help India improve its maritime ties with Bangladesh and Myanmar, but also help build an effective counter to the ever-increasing Chinese presence in the region. Improved maritime cooperation will also open opportunities for substantial economic cooperation for both nations.
— Bijaye Priyadarshini
Cuttack

Not a golden god
I agree completely with Argentina’s 1986 World Cup winning captain Diego Maradona’s remarks that Lionel Messi did not deserve to win the Golden Ball — a prize offered to the player who has put in an outstanding performance in the World Cup. Messi did score four goals for Argentina but was a pale shadow of the formidable player we have known for years now. He dribbled the ball brilliantly at times, but what good is dribbling if it if it does not yield results? Messi struggled to find his rhythm and Argentina’s heavy dependence on him cost them the finals. Germany, on the other hand, played as a team. Kudos to them!
— S.N. Kabra
Mumbai