Opinion Mind your language

— Prashant N. Donadkar

Gadchiroli

The good,the bad

* The government must be congratulated for taking such a bold step at a time when its credibility is at stake because of the scams and the deferred reforms (‘Diesel dearer by Rs 5/litre,6-refill cap on LPG subsidy’,IE,September 14). Also,by reducing the excise duty on petrol,it has brought down the gap between the prices of petrol and diesel,which is good for the economy. This will reduce the government’s subsidy burden and also send a message to global investors that India is serious about reforms again. But the media and opposition parties are projecting this hike as a political blunder by the government. We should understand that when the economy is slow,those who can,must share the burden. We can only hope that the government revives its stalled reform agenda.

— Amit Bhandari

New Delhi

Free airwaves

* PUNJAB Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has requested Pakistan’s Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo (‘Badal stresses on cultural exchange with Pak’,IE,September 14) to send a cultural delegation of Pakistani students here as a confidence building measure between the two countries. As well-meaning and welcome this step is,I suggest that the embargo on Pakistan’s entertainment programmes also be lifted. The winds of change seem to have rendered such restrictions irrelevant.

— Mohan Singh

Amritsar

Welcome move

* I STARTED to read ‘DGCA makes cancer test must for cabin crew’ (IE,August 21) with great hope as someone who has devoted the last 27 years to promoting cancer awareness. As I read on,I realised that this issue will become another football to be kicked between the management and unions,with no attempt to understand the issue. It pains me that the media should also treat this as a matter of mere “rights” and present it as a turf war. The present system of an annual medical examination is merely a heart and lung function test. The DGCA is right to propose cancer screening for the cabin crew. We at the Indian Cancer Society advise our volunteers to keep in mind that statistics are people with tears wiped away. Cancer is a real and growing challenge. Instead of creating sensational and controversial headlines,space should be devoted to educating people about how regular,annual cancer screening can save lives. The aviation industry should welcome the DGCA’s move,especially if it bears the expenses of the screening.

— Jyotsna Govil New Delhi