Opinion War-weary

A UN-backed peaceful intervention seems to be a smarter path to go down.

The Indian Express

September 12, 2013 03:08 AM IST First published on: Sep 12, 2013 at 03:08 AM IST

* This refers to No good options in Syria by Hardeep S. Puri (IE,September 10). To take military action against Syria at this stage would be a hasty decision. Memes mocking Obama for trying to restore peace through war are gaining popularity on the internet. A UN-backed peaceful intervention seems to be a smarter path to go down. Any military action will ultimately result in casualties on both sides. This is most unwelcome in a war-weary world.

Anshul Kumar Azad

Jaipur

Blissfully unaware

* This refers to Amid ailing economy,govt decides to bear babus medical treatment expenses abroad (IE,September 9). The Union governments decision to pay for bureaucrats treatment in foreign hospitals,despite the countrys problems and the FMs promise to contain the fiscal deficit,is shocking. Clearly,the government is unable to provide proper medical facilities to people. Otherwise,why would bureaucrats have to go abroad for treatment? Instead of rectifying the larger problem,the government,by allowing babus to be immune to it,is removing their personal incentive to fix it. This is exactly why living in a non-NDMC zone is hellish. Because the powers that be are all safely ensconced in the VIP NDMC area and are unaware of how torturous life is outside.

S.C. Agrawal

Delhi

Not there yet

* This refers to Guilty,guilty,guilty,guilty (IE,September 11). Whether those convicted in the December 16 gangrape case will get the death penalty will be known soon. In any case,the verdict and the speed of the trial were certainly reassuring. India still has a very long way to go regarding womens safety. The police and investigators must be more sensitive and diligent regarding violence against women. While this case has caused a sea change in big towns and cities,a similar transformation must occur in remote villages,where the plight of women is pathetic and many rape cases go unreported.

Ganpathi Bhat

Akola

Look deeper

* Social media was supposed to make life easier and more pleasant. When people misuse it to spread fear,rumours and hatred,it can be a dangerous thing as well. Still,when an untoward incident takes place,it is not good enough for the government to simply point fingers at the social media and talk of regulating it (Riot response,IE,September 11). Thats an easy,dangerous and ineffective way out. Dig a little deeper,dont shoot the messenger. The Muzaffarnagar communal riots are an example of a derelict government conveniently (and unsuccessfully) shifting the blame on to the social media and the opposition. What a shame.

R.K. Kapoor

Chandigarh