THE scale and intensity of unprecedented transformations and interventions have enhanced the vulnerability of many integrated social-ecological systems, the Sundarbans being one of them ("Going under", January 26). It is not only the ecosystem that is at stake; the human dimension associated with it is of much concern.
Marginalisation, displacement and environmental refugees have become the order of the day in many resource-rich pockets of India, more so along the coasts. The need of the hour is to strengthen the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities. Information and its communication play a crucial. The media can contribute substantially by spearheading an informed debate and communicating effectively to those vulnerable.
Jyotiraj Patra University of oxford, U.K.Ninth ScheduleTHE Cover Story provides a critical analysis of the Supreme Court judgment on the Ninth Schedule ("Judicial Challenge", February 9). The separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislature must be preserved to avoid confrontation between the two organs of the government and to save democracy and the rule of law.
Akhil Kumar New DelhiOVER the years, successive governments have misused the Ninth Schedule for narrow, partisan ends. A classic example is the inclusion of the law on 69 per cent reservation in Tamil Nadu. This was done in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling in the Mandal case that total reservation cannot exceed 50 per cent. Now the Supreme Court Constitution Bench has rightly made it clear that if any law included in the Ninth Schedule violates, restricts or encroaches upon the fundamental rights, the state will have to justify its using the doctrine of the basic structure.
A. Megha HyderabadTHE Cover Story says that the Supreme Court weakens the constitutional protection to progressive laws by making laws in the Ninth Schedule vulnerable to legal challenge. But I am of the opinion that the verdict of the nine-judge Bench of the Supreme Court is like a New Year gift to the people of India. This ruling has empowered the common man to challenge laws in courts if they are found violating fundamental rights.
S. Balakrishnan JamshedpurIranIRAN and Syria must not interfere in Iraq ("Talking war", February 9). Iranian diplomats must not go to Iraq or Sudan. Many Sunni Muslims consider Iran their enemy. Unless the Bush administration engages diplomatically with Iran and Syria, the United States will cause irreparable damage to world peace and its own security will be in danger. Israel views Iran as an "existential threat".
If Israel attacks Iran's uranium enrichment facilities with tactical nuclear weapons, the U.S. will not keep quiet. Iran must prove immediately through the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency that it does not pose a nuclear threat to U.S. and Israel.
The U.S. must declare that it will not attack Iran and all issues will be resolved through the United Nations.
Thomas Edmunds Chennai`Decent' workJAYATI Ghosh argues for more public expenditure in the social sector ("In pursuit of `decent' work", February 9). With the growth of technology permeating only the services sector and to an extent the industrial sector, the agricultural sector is adversely affected. This is not only because of low productivity but also because the sector provides employment to about 60 per cent of the Indian working population.
This leads to a situation where one section enjoys the benefits of high productivity and high salaries while the other is forced to put up with low productivity and meagre wages.
The case for generating remunerative employment along with a decent work atmosphere is crucial.
Alex M. Thomas Kollam, KeralaCORRECTIONThe article "House of Death" on the Nithari murders (January 26) referred to 'kidnapping' as an offence that is not "cognisable". Under the law, kidnapping is a cognisable offence. The point the writer wanted to make was that "missing persons" could not be the basis for filing a complaint of cognisable offence.
The article "Obstacle race" (January 26) wrongly refers to the share of the annual government expenditure on science and technology as being 0.78 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product/Gross National Product. The correct figure is 0.87 per cent.
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