Opinion Unwise words?

Ahmedabad

• The frontpage report on Shashi Tharoor’s OSD was a delightful read. But what’s difficult to believe is that the gentleman under public glare was an international civil servant,in fact,a UN under secretary-general,with no absolute control over his tongue or pen.

— M.K.D. Prasada Rao

Ghaziabad

Nothing new

• This isn’t the first time the government has attempted austerity measures. And like earlier instances this too may fizzle out. Austerity confined to living quarters and transport expenses will reflect the spirit behind the principle,but offices deserve all the conveniences and appropriate ambience since these add to the nation’s dignity in the eyes of visitors. In the past,government offices looked like “cattle sheds” with broken,stained furniture and crude stationery. Austerity is a noble principle no doubt but there’s no harm in indulging in luxury provided we end corruption and leakage of revenue in projects.

— S. Rajagopalan

Pune

Fair move

• There’s no doubt our school education system is getting a child-friendly makeover. The first move is CBSE’s decision to scrap the marking system that “fails” children and move to the grading system. Heartbreaks and self-loathing induced by our current scoring system is certainly not something children should be put through at such a vulnerable and formative stage in life.

— Nitish Gaurav New Delhi

Will Australia act?

• This refers to the report ‘Race attacks: India seeks Aussie action’. It’s a matter of concern that targeted attacks on Indians continue unabated in Australia despite repeated assurances even from the Australian PM. One fails to understand the reasons for singling out Indians for such attacks,which can at best be termed as purely racist. Moreover,India’s diplomatic efforts have failed to yield desired results. Since these attacks are clearly racist,the Indian government should make use of international forums to impress upon Australia the need to take necessary remedial measures.

— S.K. Gupta

Chandigarh