THE renowned Canadian writer Malcolm Gladwell came up with the broken windows theory, which says that crime is the brainchild of disorder (On slippery ground, April 8). If a window is broken and left unrepaired, people walking by will conclude that no one cares and no one is in charge. If one looks at the recent developments at the legislative and executive levels in an impartial way, the above theory is squarely applicable to India.
The recent candid admission of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that in coalition politics one's hands are tied and compromises have to be made is enough proof of the changes and the degeneration taking place in the electoral politics of the country. By and large, governance under the United Progressive Alliance II has been marred by the limitations of coalition politics, a trust deficit, the lack of collective wisdom and errors of judgment.
The impact of a scam would be short-lived if it were a one-off occurrence. However, in India in the neoliberal era, scams are common, and therefore, the impact will not be short-lived.
Ettirankandath Krishnadas Palakkad, KeralaJapanTHE recent earthquake and the tsunami that followed left Japan in a bad state (Cover Story, April 8). The explosions at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant only made things worse. This is proof that no country can escape nature's fury.
It is sad that so many countries try to protect themselves from their neighbours by investing large amounts of their wealth on nuclear weapons instead of joining hands with other nations to predict and deal with natural calamities. It may not be possible to bring nature's wrath under control, but technology could at least help the world mitigate the enormity of the damage.
Ippili Santhosh Kumar HyderabadTHE incidents in Japan have shown that even one of the most developed countries in the world is finding it difficult to control and avert a nuclear catastrophe and its dangerous implications. One becomes sceptical as to whether a much less prepared, less developed, overpopulated and chaotic country like India, which has of late adopted the option of nuclear energy in a big way, will be able to face such nuclear accidents.
Neeraj Kumar Jha Madhubani, BiharTHE twin disasters in Japan have caused a nuclear crisis, leading to a debate on the safety of nuclear power plants. The Fukushima Daiichi plant has since become a cause for concern because of fears of a nuclear meltdown.
An opinion is emerging the world over against production of nuclear energy. However, unlike coal-based and hydroelectric power generation and power from renewable sources, nuclear energy has the capability of fulfilling the world's energy needs under all conditions. Unfortunately, there have been instances of serious accidents or disasters at nuclear facilities around the world, including the U.S., the erstwhile Soviet Union and, now the technologically advanced, Japan.
But this does not mean that one should abandon nuclear plants and put a cap on setting up new ones. On the contrary, by learning from the failures, sturdier and safer plants should be designed.
R. K. Sudan LamberiJammu & KashmirS.K. JAIN, the head of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, said that a Japan-type situation would not arise in India. But why should we rush in? It would be better to go slow on nuclear energy, taking into account public protests, and only proceed further after the required studies are carried out and the public is convinced about its safety.
If an earthquake occurred near any one of India's dams, the damage and loss of life would be beyond imagination. Already there are warnings about dam-building activities by China and India in the Himalayan region. India should have talks with China in this regard. Above all, India has to learn the right crisis management methods.
Jacob Sahayam ThiruvananthapuramTHE crisis in Japan serves as a reminder of the heavy risks that nuclear plants pose. Despite the assurances given by those in the scientific fraternity, there has always been laxity on the part of officials in ensuring safety in nuclear installations.
With the Bhopal disaster and the leaks at the Kaiga plant at the back of everyone's mind, it is clear that India is incapable of defending its citizens' right to life. When technologically advanced Japan could not prevent the catastrophe that occurred at its nuclear installations, India going in for more nuclear plants is questionable. Since the subcontinent is also prone to major earthquakes, there is an immediate and urgent need for the government to improve on India's readiness to cope with such tragedies.
K.R. Srinivasan SecunderabadINDIA needs pollution-free power, hence it cannot give up nuclear power projects. But the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant sent shock waves throughout the world and has acted as an eye-opener: what happened in Japan could happen anywhere.
India should undertake a technical review of all nuclear plants whatever its costs. The nation needs to know how great the threat is, if there is one. Until India improves safety regulations at its nuclear power plants, the government should halt the construction of new plants and the relicensing of existing ones.
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee Faridabad, HaryanaKannada meetTHE Vishwa Kannada Sammelana (World Kannada Conference) meet was not just about Kannada literature (Spirit of Kannada, April 8.) It was really about celebrating the State's distinct identity; it was a celebration of its successes. Kannadigas from all walks of life were a part of the celebration. The jarring voices of a small section of Kannada writers and artists who were against inviting N.R. Narayana Murthy to inaugurate the meet are best ignored.
K.S. Jayatheertha BangalorePoliticsINDIA'S democracy seems to be about winning elections at any cost, even using the divide-and-rule policies of the British (Towards oligarchy, April 8). The Britishers divided Indians on the basis of religions, and Hindus do so on the basis of caste.
But today's politicians have divided the citizens of this country at different levels. We are either religious minorities or linguistic minorities. If we are not either, we are below the poverty line or representing some business group. People can be purchased with televisions, laptops or other freebies.
Marketing strategies are being followed in the democratic process, shamelessly suppressing the will of the people.
S.A.S. Sarma HyderabadChinaCHINA undeniably enjoys supremacy in Asia (The rise of China, April 8). Whatever arguments are invoked to dilute the significance of China's achievement, there are many things that India can learn from that country: sustained efforts over a period to build a massive infrastructure without any foreign funding and the deep dedication of its people to their respective crafts and their spirit of serving their motherland.
China has evolved cautious policies and also has far-sighted plans to take care of its different needs. India, on the other hand, is pathetically short of infrastructure and faced with rampant corruption almost at all levels, which has eaten away chunks of national wealth. India also does not have the kind of dedicated workforce that China has and is not fully utilising the abundant talent that is available.
Ujwal Santoshrao Jagtap Shelgaon Deshmukh Maharashtra
ElectionsTHE article On slippery ground (April 8) was an in-depth analysis of the political malaise that has set in in the democratic systems of India. It gave the right diagnosis of the malignant factors and the possible prognosis of these going unchecked.
The Congress party was, and even now is, one shade better than others in its numerical presence in all the States. Instead of utilising its pan-India presence for the betterment of the nation, it is losing its credibility through ugly squabbles and internecine wars compounded by the never-ending scams on all fronts. It is pathetically trying to stand tall on the stiletto heels of regional parties.
The BJP tries to show that it is far better than its political rivals with vacuous promises of a uniform civil code, abrogation of Article 370 giving special status to Jammu & Kashmir, and so on, but somersaults after coming to power. It is unable to come out of the debris of Ayodhya. The public is fed up with its double-speak and failure to display maturity on national issues.
The Left parties are yet to align themselves with the objective dynamics of the political game of winning power at the national level.
The regional parties thrive on whipping up parochial tendencies, communal animosity and divisive stratagems, luring the national parties to kowtow to their commands. The recent spree of freebies and pecuniary incentives have added to their popularity.
B. Rajasekaran BangaloreTHE Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam may have managed to save its alliance with the Congress for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, but it has emerged from the scuffle with a much stunted frame (Troubled alliances, April 8).
It has been browbeaten to concede to an ally's demand for an unreasonable number of seats, forced to forsake its own chances of retaining a monopolistic control over power in the State, and taught a bit of coalition dharma.
But then the DMK, given its dominant position in the State, has always acted as a bully at the Centre, arm-twisting its ally into giving it major concessions or driving the government to compromises.
J.S. Acharya Newcastle-upon-Tyne U.K.THE alliance between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress party is now through in West Bengal, with the TMC contesting about 227 seats, while the Congress will fight in 65 constituencies (Close contest, April 8). But it must be noted that the Congress government at the Centre has so far proved to be powerless in controlling the prices of essential commodities.
Also, many heavyweights either from the Congress or the UPA were in the headlines for the wrong reasons, denting the party's image. Price rise and numerous scams are the bane of the UPA in recent months.
Aziz A. Mubaraki KolkataArt historyI READ with interest the article on the book Paintings in Tamil Nadu: A History by I. Job Thomas (Fading colours, April 8). This book will surely be a valuable to researchers and to laypeople.
While the monumental works of J. Dubreuil, S.K. Govindaswami, S. Paramasivan, Stella Kramrisch, T.N. Ramachandran, C. Sivaramamurti and K.R. Srinivasan were dealt with in the article, the following latest works on the subject, both in Tamil, were left out:
1) Thanjai Periya Kovil Cholar Kaala Oviyangal ( Thanjavur Big Temple Chola Paintings; Tamil University, Thanjavur, September 2010) deals with Chola paintings, with detailed descriptions under nine divisions. Such care has been taken to present the paintings clearly, with suitable sketches wherever necessary, that one gets the impression that one is seeing them in person.
2) Rajarajesvaram (Kudavayil Balasubramanian; Swami Dayananda Educational Trust, Manjakkudi, Tiruvarur district, 2010) deals with the big temple of Thanjavur. The book covers various aspects of the temple such as its art, architecture, paintings, sculptures, and so on. One-fifth of the book (pages 234-302) deals with the paintings of the temple, with relevant photographs. Information pertaining to more than 50 photographs is vividly dealt with.
B. Jambulingam Thanjavur, Tamil NaduWest AsiaTHE author of the article Tottering Equations (April 8) did a commendable job in compiling the defence expenditures made by countries in West Asia. These expenditures show that such countries are always anticipating domestic turmoil, and the lavish defence acquisitions at the cost of the progress of their own citizens are the safety measures for these exigencies.
Surath Bhattacharjee Howrah, West BengalAruna ShanbaugTHE case of Aruna Shanbaug has led to a significant debate on the pros and cons of euthanasia (Passive ruling, April 8). Many nations continue to debate this contentious issue.
The case of Aruna Shanbaug, who is under long-term medical care at Mumbai's KEM hospital, is an exception. She is cared for gratis by a team of doctors and nursing staff.
This is a rare indulgence even for the affluent in India. Often the poor, who cannot afford the cost of hospital care or medicines, get their near and dear ones discharged from hospital and consign them to a painful death or neglect at home. This is a form of euthanasia in the country among the poor.
The debate is not really relevant to India, at least for now.
H.N. Ramakrishna BangaloreWHILE I feel that KEM Hospital's doctors' and nurses' love for Aruna Shanbaug is misplaced sympathy of the puerile kind, the Supreme Court's recommendation to Parliament to initiate steps to repeal the anachronistic Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to suicide) is a step in the right direction as punishing a person who is at the end of his/her tether is cruel and absurd.
K.P. Rajan MumbaiMisuse of lawIT is most unfortunate that the Domestic Violence Act and Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code are being misused (Oppressor's case, April 8). These laws were meant to solve deep-rooted social problems and to prevent atrocities against women.
Section 498A should not be used as a weapon to wreak vengeance on men.
K.V. Ramana Murthy SecunderabadRenaissanceI WONDER how K.N. Panikkar could have overlooked the actual renaissance that happened in India's literature, science and other knowledge areas (Was there a renaissance?, March 11). He completely denigrates the deeds of personalities such as Rabindranath, Satyentranath Bose and Jagadish C. Bose.
The renaissance manifested itself through literature, religious academics and science, triggering reform in the social sector and the thought processes of 19th century Indians. Had this aspect been brought into the discussion, it would have been an important addition to this thought-provoking essay.
Abhishek Talukder KolkataDRDOEVERY Indian should be proud of the equipment and many weapons developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) (Technology giant, March 11).
Kamal Mohanan BarodaCORRECTIONThe caption for photograph on page 90 ("The regal & the real", April 8) should read as follows: "Aryan Gopalakrishnan on the pavement at Sarojini Nagar market, with a hoarding of Siva as child in the background."
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