Sinking ship
* This refers to Shekhar Guptas The great letdown (IE,April 30) where he has suggested a much-needed retrieval plan for the beleaguered UPA 2. Its unfortunate that the Manmohan Singh government is following the flawed politics of the Rajiv Gandhi regime and refusing to learn from his partys earlier political blunders. It would be naive to assume that 2014 would be a repeat of 1984 or 2009 for the Congress. UPA 2s sinking ship needs to be rescued; it is up to its leaders to do the needful.
S.K. Gupta,Chandigarh
No unison
* The article The great letdown has diagnosed the UPAs ailment and has prescribed treatment. The UPA seems to have lost acuity and is blissfully oblivious to what is happening around. Worse,PM Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi often do not seem to be on the same page. More often than not,they give the impression of reacting instead of talking to each other. The seeming disconnect between them has caused faultlines in the functioning of the government and the party. This situation has only helped a foundering BJP to take advantage of the UPAs failings.
Satwant Kaur,Mahilpur
Flightless bird
* Apropos your editorial Shut AI down (IE,May 2),the public-sector white elephant that Air India has become over the years suffers from a lack of organisational commitment and fidelity and flexibility among its employees and management. Instead of attempting to cut costs,they have displayed an aggressive and spoilt attitude,pushing the airline further into chaos. The mounting debt may create problems for the economic health of the country as it may affect other essential public projects.
Ved Guliani,Hisar
Plane truths
* This refers to Taking off (IE,April 30). It is good to know that politics is not determining the purchase of fighter aircraft from abroad. The government has given the sole responsibility to the Indian Air Force to decide what is best for the defence of the nation. The European fighters were effective in the 1950s and the 60s when Hunters were purchased from Britain and Toofanis from France. Then in the late 60s and early 70s,Russian MiGs were bought,but handling them required great skill. Now,we must finalise the new deal swiftly to arm the Indian Air Force with the latest technology.
R.K. Kapoor,Mumbai
Not the end
* Osama bin Ladens death marks the end of a tragic and sometimes dubious chapter in geopolitics and American foreign policy. It is a huge psychological boost for the US. It can take comfort from the fact that it did finally get the man,a decade after he was declared Americas most wanted person. This will also boost the fortunes of President Obama who will come out looking like a tough leader,not dithering on getting the countrys biggest villain. But we mustnt be led to believe that the fight against extremism is over.
Karan Thakur,New Delhi
