Opinion Time for action
Is it not funny that a while ago the PM was sounding serious about Naxalism as the gravest internal security threat but is now largely silent...
Time for action
This refers to the editorial A larger mandate and K. Subrahmanyams Bleeding-heart cynics (IE,May 19). While you have aptly opened with the poser How many more deaths will it take? Subrahmanyam concluded rightly: …and others who will sacrifice national interests at the altar of their partisan politics and personal gain. Is it not funny that a while ago the PM was sounding serious about Naxalism as the gravest internal security threat but is now largely silent while a former CM of Madhya Pradesh,Digvijay Singh,and Mani Shankar Aiyar choose to attack the home minister on his handling of the problem? Somehow,it seems to escape these people that the time is for action,and not for philosophical posturing. We have the resources to tackle the problem but whats lacking is will and determination.
Prasad Malladi
Nidadavole
All your sensible editorials and columns seem to be falling on deaf ears. Not only will the government be seen as a soft target,so will the country; and by then the Indian people will not have the strength even to punish the government. The larger question is: who really is calling the shots,the PM or the UPA chairperson? And Chidambarams sound bites reveal his limitations. Also,there are two voices of the Congress always dissenting: Digvijay Singh and M.S. Aiyar. UPA-II is soft on all,including its own ministers sans
Shashi Tharoor.
Kedarnath R. Aiyar
History supports the argument that internal bickering helps external enemies (A larger mandate,IE,May 19). As if Dantewada-I was not enough,Dantewada-II has further reminded the government that the problem is far from solved. Normally,the government gets a breather after every unfortunate incident. But in this case,it was caught napping while Maoists chose the same area. It throws a very pertinent question at our face: are we serious about tackling this national menace with a resolute will? UPA-II seems to be shirking its duty and the Congress partys internal bickering is giving the impression of a divided house,which is surely a booster for the Maoist rank and file.
Ashok Goswami
Mumbai
Shaming India
Bibek Debroys Health,wealth,and wisdom (IE,May 18) was timely. The old ghosts of Katherine Mayos Mother India come alive. She had painted the picture of awful sanitation,though the withering riposte by none other than Mahatma Gandhi a drain inspectors report does not invalidate her description by a long shot. Sanitation and health were given a step-motherly treatment both by the vast general populace as well as the Central and state governments. We may have more mobile phones but their numbers are outstripped by people who defecate in open spaces. Moreover,stinking garbage dumps are a nightmare and an eyesore. Yet we are inured to it.
John Alexander
Nagpur
Share
