THE entire State of Andhra Pradesh plunged into distress with the loss of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (Cover Story, September 25). The empowerment schemes he introduced were praiseworthy. But, the situation in Andhra Pradesh is going from bad to worse. Many power-hungry politicians have proposed his son, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, as the next Chief Minister without the consent of the Congress high command.
In fact, the bane of Indian politics is dynastic rule. The present move is just to shield the illegal activities of some fraudulent politicians who hope to get favours from their recommended leader.
As a citizen of Andhra Pradesh, I expect the successor to be an experienced and dedicated person with the ability to complete the dream missions of the late Chief Minister. If projects are left unfinished, a huge amount of public money will be wasted.
Ippili Santhosh Kumar Srikakulam, A.P.A COSTLY lapse has cut short the life of a dynamic and visionary leader. Rajasekhara Reddys popularity was reflected in the huge crowds that assembled at the funeral. His pro-poor policies and his humanitarian approach to problems were not only successful and laudable but are worthy of emulation by other States.
Though there is growing support for his son to take over, one hopes that common sense will prevail as he does not have the experience to lead the government. Yielding to pressure tactics will only damage the prospects of the party in the State.
The immediate challenge for the Congress is to ensure that the numerous programmes initiated by Rajasekhara Reddy are carried on with the same vigour and momentum. This would be a fitting tribute to the leader.
K.R. Srinivasan SecunderabadRAJASEKHARA REDDY will be remembered as a strong and dynamic leader. While the welfare of the poor remained the focus of his government, industry, too, received a boost under his leadership, with small towns becoming a part of the global market.
With his sudden death, the political vacuum created in Andhra Pradesh will be difficult to fill.
S. Balakrishnan Jamshedpur, JharkhandAVIATION experts say that the crash rate of helicopters is much higher than that of commercial planes the world over. Rajasekhara Reddys death adds to the growing list of Indian politicians killed in air accidents. It is not only the lackadaisical approach to security but also the culture of kowtowing to VIPs on security issues that is responsible for such accidents. The tendency of VIPs to airdash to places to save time, without consideration for safety, contributes to such mishaps.
M. Meghana Bradford, U.K.A FALSE hysteria seems to be compelling the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet to recommend Jagan Mohan Reddy as the rightful successor of Rajasekhara Reddy. Rajasekhara Reddy ruled Andhra Pradesh with an iron hand, silencing all who confronted or contradicted him. It is becoming clear that he managed to hold together a divided party, one that was manipulated by him alone. In sheer fear and desperate to survive the aftermath, members of the Cabinet used an emotional moment to endorse the son.
P. Arihanth HyderabadThe BJPTHE problems of the BJP (Divided family, September 25) are far more serious and complex than the party would care to admit. I feel that whatever final shape the BJP takes at the national level, those who are gleefully preparing its obituary will be disappointed. It is a truism that out of chaos and confusion clarity will eventually emerge. That will be true in this case as well.
And yes, the BJP can no longer pretend that it is independent of the RSS and maintain an arms-length policy. The RSS has through its actions acknowledged that it is the true boss.
Padmini Raghavendra SecunderabadBirds of KeralaWHEN I was in college, I trekked the areas of Parambikulam, Periyar and Thattekkad as part of a nature camp. Seeing the photographs of the beautiful birds in the article Fallen from the nest (September 25), I relived those good old days.
Anila John Mangalore, KarnatakaIT was a pleasure to read about the broad-billed roller bird that was loved by the great ornithologist Salim Ali. His works on birds are a testament to his dedication and zeal in pursuit of ornithology.
Praveen Krishnan New DelhiI AM a regular reader of Frontline and am a nature lover. It was a great pleasure to look at the photographs of the birds. I feel that the article was dedicated to Salim Ali, who was very drawn to Kerala.
Peter Panathara Cochin, KeralaPokhranWHATEVER K. Santhanam, Homi Sethna, R. Chidamabram and former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam have to say, the truth about Indias nuclear tests may remain elusive (Pokhran row, September 25). Contrary to general belief, scientists are not, as a rule, absent-minded professors lost in their quest for the truths of the universe. They are flesh-and-blood souls who squabble amongst themselves and that is when they let out harmless, little secrets.
It would be better if scientists quarrelled more often because in the process they are likely to reveal partial details that members of the public can use to piece together the whole truth.
J. Akshay SecunderabadWHY blow the whistle 11 years later? An irresistible urge to tell the truth or moral unease is scarcely an adequate reason. Santhanams coming clean has the stamp of approval of the most hawkish of Indian nuclear hawks, among whom are P.K. Iyengar, A.N. Prasad, Bharat Karnad and Brahma Chellaney. By rubbishing the earlier test, are they hoping to make a case for more nuclear tests?
A. Vani HyderabadSwine fluALMOST all communicable diseases are endemic in India (Pandemic challenge, September 11). Many of them have reached pandemic proportions, but the response of hospitals and primary health centres is grossly inadequate. Our waste disposal systems are glaringly poor. No wonder nosocomial infections are on the rise.
More essential than vaccines are good living practices. We have acquired the nauseating habit of spitting everywhere. The accumulating garbage piles are breeding grounds for vectors. But ultimately, the root cause of all our problems is our gargantuan population. Perhaps if the focus shifts slightly more in favour of reproductive and child health programmes rather than the National Rural Health Mission, we may be able to reap better results.
B. Meenu Alappuzha, KeralaIT is a shame that India is a leader in almost all major diseases that kill the poor. The swine flu outbreak has generated too much media hype and must be used to get better health facilities in every part of the country. The right to health should be a fundamental right.
We cannot become developed country without a sound education and health system.
Akhil Kumar Dhakka village, DelhiBRINGING swine flu under control will be a challenge for the government. It is also evident that in recent days the death rate has been declining. A little more preparedness on the governments part would have helped, but its efforts cannot be ignored.
Panchalee Tamulee GuwahatiAgainst womenINCIDENCES of violence against women are rising (Crime spiral, September 11). According to statistics, children are exposed to violent scenes on TV, which may desensitise them to human suffering. We must enact laws to prevent this, which could be our first long-term measure to curb violence against not only women but humanity as a whole.
Ujjwal Karmakar Malda, West BengalJaswant & JinnahI DO not know how Jaswant Singh can call Mohammad Ali Jinnah great or a statesman (No questions, please, September 11). Jinnah was mad after power. In 1918, he went to London and tried, unsuccessfully, to contest general elections there as a Labour candidate. Returning to India, disillusioned, in 1927, he wanted to be equal to Mahatma Gandhi in prestige, authority and power.
He wanted to be the sole representative of the entire Muslim community, running into millions of individuals, when the total registered membership of the Muslim League was barely 1,200 and he was not at all religious. Ignoring historical and ground realities, Jinnah instigated Direct Action Day in August 1946, which led to loss of life and suffering to millions.
V.N. Ramaswamy SecunderabadAfghanistanTHE United States has no exit strategy from its present more than half a decade involvement in Afghanistan (Obamas unspoken trade-off, September 11). It is shocking that the military action is being prolonged by President Obama.
The United Nations must intervene to end this long, disastrous occupation and ensure swift justice for civilians. Members of NATO must think of the price they are paying for being the U.S. allies in its so-called war against terror.
Atul Kumar Thakur Ghaziabad, U.P.Urban poorTHE article Cities of chaos (September 11) seems to present a true analysis of the increasing number of homeless people in urban centres such as Delhi, which leads to insecurity and crime. The authorities should take immediate steps to remedy the problem.
Khem Regmi Kathmandu, NepalHonour killingsIT is amazing that with so many honour killings in the course of a year, the police have not arrested anyone (In the name of honour, August 28). This fact seems to indicate their involvement in the crimes along with the leaders of big political parties, who have their eye on vote banks. It is heartening to know the youth are organising campaigns to awaken the publics conscience on the issue.
Why does the government not declare the khap panchayats illegal? Our legislative bodies have not touched the caste system and thus let khap panchayats grow to an appalling extent.
S. Singha Chowdhury Howrah, West Bengal__________________________________________________________________
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