Opinion Right moves
It is good that the government has decided to go ahead with the Jaitapur nuclear project despite opposition
Right moves
It is good that the government has decided to go ahead with the Jaitapur nuclear project despite opposition (A clearer orbit,IE,April 28). Nuclear energy is our only hope in near future,although the history of Chernobyl and Fukushima will constantly nudge us. The separation of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) from the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) is also welcome. This will make it easy for the AERB to function independently,as argued in the editorial.
R.K. Kapoor Mumbai
Spring cleaning?
Apropos the editorial Silent coalition (IE,April 27),you have echoed the sentiments of the nation on the arrest of Suresh Kalmadi and the charging of Kanimozhi. This is a positive step by the Congress-led UPA towards disinfecting its own house and gaining a higher moral ground in governance. In fact,it is in tune with the spirit of Anna Hazares campaign against graft. The CBI should be encouraged to do its job with fairness and freedom.
R.D. Singh Ambala
Original skill
Your editorial (Work Better,IE,April 28) embraces an important opportunity for national well-being. The systematic de-skilling of craftspeople is endangering an industry second only to agriculture as a source of Indian livelihood. Current estimates suggest that over 200 million citizens depend directly on handicrafts. Most of them comprise those supposedly at the forefront of official concern: SCs,STs,
Dalits,minorities and women. Current estimates dont take fully into account that in some regions (the entire Northeast and J&K) the adult population is comprised largely of skilled artisans. Skill-formation through NREGA and the National Council on Skill Development would be a brilliant opportunity to bring design,technology and marketing know-how to a sector thats remained invisible,despite its huge scale,because its dispersed and organised through traditional knowledge and structures. The strategy you recommend would not only provide a brake on the misery of mass migration into urban slums by providing employment where citizens are located. It would also take into account the low carbon footprint of this huge sector,its potential for empowering those still at the margins,and for strengthening national resources of creativity and innovation relevant not only to handicrafts but to every Indian industry.
Ashoke Chatterjee
The end of it
The government should not delay the banning of endosulfan. It is surprising that the ministers concerned are being vague with their comments about the danger from endosulfan. The argument that the ill effects of endosulfan were detected only in Kasargod is also shocking. Does that mean if one place suffers,other places are assumed to be safe? Our political leaders should be proactive. To be callous about endosulfans effects,just because mostly the poor have been affected,is cruel.
Harischandra Parshuram
Mumbai
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