Opinion Playing with fire

The Sivakasi fire shows that the authorities have learnt nothing from the accidents of previous years

The Indian Express

September 10, 2012 03:39 AM IST First published on: Sep 10, 2012 at 03:39 AM IST

Playing with fire

* THE Sivakasi fire shows that the authorities have learnt nothing from the accidents of previous years (50 killed in Sivakasi firecracker unit fire,IE,September 6).The incident is also tragic proof that fire safety norms are flouted with impunity. Just a day before the incident,the safety regulator had cancelled the licence given to Om Sakthi Fireworks,the factory where the fire broke out. Nevertheless,work went on as usual. It remains to be asked why the unit was not closed down immediately.

Ganapathi Bhat

Akola

Buzzing network

* THIS refers to the editorial End of the PC (IE,September 7). The browser wars of the last decade ended with no clear winner. Perhaps it is not yet time to declare the end of the PC era. The PC is constantly being reshaped by new software. It would seem that Nokia chose an alliance with Microsoft primarily to avoid getting embroiled in costly patent wars. But present day mobile operating systems are dumbed down to allow only applications to thrive,making them practically useless for serious work. Although RIMs demise has been written about many times over,its upcoming product could be a game changer.

Abhishek Puri

Chandigarh

Now showing

* IN Why Pakistani TV matters to India (IE,August 31),Reema Abbasi has argued that both India and Pakistan should be allowed to view each others entertainment channels. Such a step would certainly go a long way in reviving cultural and emotional ties. It could help thaw the coldness and distrust that has built up over the decades. It will open the minds of viewers to the culture and ethos of another country. Television broadcasters in both the countries should urge their respective governments to let them air their channels across the border.

Brij B. Goyal

Ludhiana

Food for thought

* THIS refers to Modi malnutrition remarks insult to Gujarat women,says Congress (IE,August 31). As a doctor who has headed a large government hospital,I have reliable research-based data that gives a disheartening account of the level of malnutrition in India. Ignoring this reality,Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi,in an interview with The Wall Street Journal,said that malnutrition levels in his state were high because its middle class was more beauty conscious than health conscious. Of course,the Congress did not lose an opportunity to criticise the leader and score a point. But I wish I could share my data with both parties. It would come as news for the Congress,while Modi could perhaps draw consolation from the fact that it is not just Gujarat where malnutrition levels are high.

Avtar Narain Chopra

Kurukshetra