Opinion Many a slip
The way Narendra Modi reacted to Manmohan Singhs speech on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day surpassed all decency.
* The way Narendra Modi reacted to Manmohan Singhs speech on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day surpassed all decency and decorum. He seems to have donned the mantle of the BJPs prime ministerial candidate. I am glad that senior BJP leader L.K. Advani criticised the way in which Modi acted. In spite of Modis attack on the PM,it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the BJP and the Congress.
The BJP is supporting the Congresss food bill as well as all its attempts to insulate the political class from the recent Supreme Court judgments,the Chief Information Commissioners order and the Election Commissions attempt to regulate manifestos.
S.K. Khosla
Virtuous cycle
* This refers to Seeing it like Sen by Khaled Ahmed (IE,August 23). The liberalisation of 1991 and the economic reforms not only helped India achieve high rates of growth,they also reduced human deprivation. This was due not only to the trickle-down effect,but also to the increased social sector spending. The reason why India has been able to afford such enormous increases in social expenditure is in turn thanks to the preceding economic growth. Amartya Sens argument that economic reforms have resulted in economic growth that has not benefited the poor is therefore implausible. Is it not true that we have witnessed a sustained increase in per capita expenditure,both in rural and urban areas recently? Is it not true that rural wages are up and that there has also been a rise in asset ownership?
Manish Kumar
Patna
Dream team?
* This refers to India least favourable makes sense to exit,Nokia tells govt (IE,August 23). Nokias warning must be taken seriously by the government. On one hand,the UPA is losing sleep over falling FDI inflows,and on the other,its treating companies that have already invested in India shabbily. Im sure no one needs to be reminded of Posco and ArcelorMittal scrapping their multi-billion dollar Indian investment plans. It seems clear that the Vodafone case has irreparably affected Indias image as a business destination and will have long-term implications. Its a pity that the UPA,in spite of being in power for 10 years,being granted a clear mandate and armed with the so called economic dream team,has wrecked the economy so badly.
Ashok Goswami
Deterrent value
* Thisrefers to Photojournalist gangraped in central Mumbai mill (IE,August 23). Mumbai has become a dangerous city,particularly for women. The reason why this happens is as clear as day. Rapists are simply not afraid of either getting caught,or if caught,of getting prosecuted and convicted. The rape of a photojournalist,in spite of the fact that she was accompanied by a male colleague,clearly demonstrates that women are no longer safe in the commercial capital of our country. Rape cases must be tried expeditiously. The government must focus on successfully convicting rapists,so that the law regains its value as a deterrent.
S.N. Kabra
Mumbai
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