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Kashmir has seen a decline in tourism; and tourism is one of the primary sources of income there.

The Indian Express

February 14, 2009 11:14 PM IST First published on: Feb 14, 2009 at 11:14 PM IST

 Kashmir has seen a decline in tourism; and tourism is one of the primary sources of income there. This could be ascribed to both the global economic slowdown and tourist security post-26/11. However,pulling the Indian army out of the Valley is not a wise decision as it is important to focus on the continued threat from extremists and Pakistan. In fact,army presence should engender a sense of security for both foreign as well as domestic tourists.

Saumya Brata Panda

Noida

Hint of victory

 Pakistans admission that 26/11 was plotted on its soil comes after international pressure based on the hard evidence put together by India and the FBI. It was a forceful acceptance though and a victory of sorts for India. This confession has surprised many since it has come from Pakistans interior ministry after a long blame game. Even if global resources were used by the terrorists in plotting and executing 26/11,Pakistan was the base. The next logical step would be severe international pressure to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.

Rohan

Pune

India,united

 The issue at hand is not local help to Pakistani terrorists but the origin of those involved: there is no dispute on the matter. We as a nation,including the political parties,are united on the real issue the need for Pakistan to dismantle terror camps. Hence,India needs to focus on cultivating international support based on hard facts if it is to succeed. A divided nation cannot be effective against combating a common enemy.

Parimal Y. Mehta

Mumbai

Our bane

 This refers to Dhiraj Nayyars The partisans. Having adopted the Whitehall model of administration,the civil service is a permanent institution irrespective of the party in power. It is supposed to be neutral even while implementing policies of the government of the day. It is assumed that the elected representatives will not tamper with the bureaucracy. Does that situation exist in India? The answer is No. Likewise,many civil servants allow themselves to be identified with a politician/ party,and fall prey to temptations,thereby not hesitating to do the bidding of those in power. While many civil servants do not yield to temptation,the fact that most do remains the bane of Indian administration.

M.K.D. Prasada Rao

Ghaziabad

Wrong means

 There are two forms of protests: ugly and dignified. Without a shadow of doubt,the Sri Rama Sene activists deserve the severest condemnation for attacking women in pubs. However,sending pink underwear to Pramod Muthalik is in poor taste. Trivialising the battle for freedom and progress will achieve little. It will only harden regressive forces like the Sri Rama Sene.

R.J. Khurana Bhopal