Opinion The China example
Among other things,China has opened itself up to foreign insurance companies.
The China example
Sanjaya Baru was right to advise India to learn from China when it came to pursuing a reforms agenda (Dengs grandchildren,IE,July 17). Among other things,China has opened itself up to foreign insurance companies. This was an innovative step to bring down insurance premiums. In India,the Centre needs to open up the economy further. It could encourage competition and efficiency in the massive insurance sector. Perhaps that would unleash the animal spirits needed to revive the economy.
Ranjit B. Rai
New Delhi
Pawar politics
n IT IS true that the Congress should have considered giving NCP leader Sharad Pawar the No. 2 position in the cabinet,if only because he came after Pranab Mukherjee in seniority (UPAs Pawar cut,IE,July 17). However,Pawar only threw in his lot with the UPA because of political compulsions. The NCP initially played the foreign-origin card against Sonia Gandhi. They climbed down from this stance when it was politically expedient. Meanwhile,P.A. Sangma,who had backed Pawar against Sonia Gandhi and has not changed his stand,finds himself out in the cold.
Tarsem Singh
New Delhi
Dark ages
n PANCHAYATS across the country are turning out to be deeply regressive bodies,issuing diktats and laying down strict rules of behaviour (UP panchayat bans love marriage,women below 40 from shopping,IE,July 14). They have drawn up a list of oppressive rules for women,leaving the men to do as they please. Women below 40 are not allowed to go out shopping or use cell phones. They are not allowed to enter into love marriages either. In some states,women are even subject to a dress code.
Bhagwan Thadani
Filling the fisc
n THIS refers to The fiscal imperative (IE,July 12). Ashish Vachhani has accurately identified the flaws in our fiscal policy. The framers of our policy must consider the suggested remedial measures,especially the cyclically adjusted budget balance and a fiscal responsibility council to ensure fiscal discipline and push the economy up the growth trajectory. Indeed,it is high time India resorted to prudent fiscal measures to promote growth.
Taneema
Srinagar
No country for women
THIS refers to Street-eye view (IE,July 14). The molestation of a girl by a group of hooligans in Guwahati has once again confirmed that atrocities against women are a routine affair in India. Recurring incidents barely create a ripple beyond the initial hue and cry. Many people in our largely patriarchal society are completely insensitive when it comes to such incidents. This apathy and callousness only aggravates the situation and paves the way for more crimes.
Shreeprakash Sharma,Birauli
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