Opinion Wrong way
The brouhaha about the caste-based census is highly political. To eliminate inequality of status and invidious treatment,we need a society that takes minimal account of ascriptive ties....
The brouhaha about the caste-based census is highly political. To eliminate inequality of status and invidious treatment,we need a society that takes minimal account of ascriptive ties. If population is enumerated with caste data,its sure to be vitiated by votebank politics and may lead to distortion of vital information on other socio-economic figures. The Centralised census is not the appropriate method to study something as complex as caste.
Francis Kuriakose
Puducherry
Lingua franca
Regional and linguistic affinities are a fact of life in India (The political uses of Tamil,IE,June 25). Theres no harm in celebrating ones own culture,language,way of life if it leads to a reinforcement of ones belief in these. However,hijacking that cause for personal and political ends is objectionable. Then again,as the author points out,nobody gets taken in by such gimmickry; the participation of Tamil speakers from all over the world is purely out of their love for and sense of belonging to Tamil culture and heritage. But contrary to the authors view,the cause of Indian languages,including Hindi,is not lost. In fact,Hindi has emerged as a powerful medium of communication across states as English is still spoken only by a small percentage of Indians.
Ajay Tyagi Mumbai
After McChrystal
The USs inherently contradictory Af-Pak policy has started catching with it (Runaway crisis,IE,June 25). The sacking of Gen Stanley McChrystal shows a complete disconnect and distrust between the military and the civilian administration. This episode neither bodes well for ushering in peace and stability nor brings credit to Obamas stewardship. Afghanistan is proving to be the USs nemesis. Obama now needs to gee up to salvage whatever is left of the US image as the worlds sole superpower. India must revise its strategy to safeguard its economic and political interests in Afghanistan.
Tarsem Singh
New Delhi
Cheering India
The Indian cricket team under the dynamic captaincy of M.S. Dhoni deserves our heartiest tribute for restoring its position as numero uno in Asia. India convincingly defeated reigning champions Sri Lanka at their own homeground. This victory,coupled with the thrilling win against Pakistan,brought credit to the current team,especially when seniors like Sachin Tendulker,Virendra Sehwag,the Pathan brothers and Yuvraj Singh were not playing.
K.V. Satyamurty
Mumbai
Indo-Pak cycle
This refers to Chidambaram to meet Malik today,Rao flags terror concern (IE,June 25). Of course,its not breaking news. Since 1947,India has been trying to understand its neighbour. Chidambarams follow-up visit was already derailed before he could set foot in Pakistan,preceded by the foreign secretaries meet. The cycle will repeat; a smooth talk will be followed by raking up Kashmir,with Balochistan and water added.
Kedarnath R. Aiyar
Mumbai
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