This refers to Shekhar Guptas Ek dhakka aur…
(IE,January 10). The enemy within,often does greater damage than external threats. But we havent learnt from past mistakes. A strike is a tool to be used as the last option when all talks fail. But in India various parties to disputes frequently used the strike as the primary instrument. In other words,the action on the part of well-educated officers of the state-owned oil companies was shocking and criminal.
Nikhil Sharma
This refers to Shekhar Guptas Ek dhakka aur…
(IE,January 10). The role of pressure groups in a democratic polity is of crucial importance as they keep the government on its toes. However,the government is to be blamed for its mismanaged state of affairs,evident from the cancellation of the home ministers US visit. The problem with India is that there are too many challenges placed upon an ineffective government during a limited time period.
Ashwani Sharma
Ghaziabad
Dont spare the rod
This refers to the editorial Greasy palms (IE,January 10). The oilmens strike that paralysed the country was completely uncalled for. It is criminal to let most fuelling stations run out of stock. The government did well to compel the strikers to return to work; but it hadnt,obviously,put a mechanism in place to deal with such problems. Nor had it done anything to ensure ordinary people were not
inconvenienced. After this,the government should provide more teeth to,and expand the scope of,the Essential Services Maintenance Act.
Amiya K. Pandey
Ghaziabad
Losing their way
This refers to the editorial State of the state (IE,January 10). The Pakistani government seems to have lost its way because of the increasing pressure on it from the world community on the one hand and the fear of ignoring the powerful army and the ISI on the other. Nothing illustrates it better than the dismissal of NSA Mahmud Ali Durrrani over the admission of Kasabs identity. The Pakistani governments procrastination and diversionary tactics will not serve it for long. No matter how hard it tries,Pakistans time is running out.
Satwant Kaur
New Delhi
Ready to go
This refers to C. Raja Mohans Forget the dossier (IE,January 12). The Obama administration may have a slightly different take on Mumbai and the subcontinent. Obama will also have an unimaginable lot of problems on his platter. It is important for India therefore to look out for itself. Obama or no Obama,dossier or no dossier,we have to upgrade our security and keep the military option ready. What is not likely to change in the near future is that India will continue being a victim of the Pakistani armys,the ISIs and the jihadis hatred.
John Alexander
Nagpur
