Frontline deserves praise for its critical analyses of the reasons for and the implications of the fuel price hike in the Cover Story (Oil shock, July 4). Rising prices, of essential commodities especially oil, have severely impaired the financial health of the country. It exposes the hidden agenda of certain market forces, which are turning the oil market into a gambling parlour.
In the present scenario, countries such as India have no choice but to reorient their priorities, cut consumption and wastage of oil and target the subsidies in a better way. Subsidies actually benefit the well-off rather than the poor. The present oil shock may lead to new inventions such as energy-saving vehicles and energy-efficient technologies.
Dr. Vitull K. Gupta Bhatinda, PunjabTHE poor need to be completely insulated from the oil shock through the Public Distribution System. The best way out is to aim at self-sufficiency.
New gas finds are encouraging. Developing solar energy has great prospects. Inventions, such as a car run on water in Japan, should be encouraged.
A. Jacob Sahayam ThiruvananthapuramAT 11.05 per cent, inflation is at an all-time high in 13 years. The inflation rate is higher than the maximum rate of interest on bank deposits, which means depositors are receiving a negative rate of interest on their savings. Inflation is completely anti-poor. It is really a tax on poor consumers.
The waiver of farmers loans has greatly contributed to the present inflation.
The government should not try to fool the people saying that inflation is a global phenomenon. Think global but act local.
S. Raghunatha Prabhu AlappuzhaFrances exampleTHE article on France (Energy drive, July 4) is an eye opener. Given Indias technical expertise, it can also emulate France and reduce its dependence on oil. Those who can do this do not have the power to do so while those in power do not see the writing on the wall. Future generations will face problems because of our apathy.
MGHS Rajan BangaloreTata SteelBEING a third-generation employee of Tata Steel, it gave me immense pleasure to read your wonderful Special Feature on 100 Years of Tata Steel (July 4).
Jamshedpur is indeed a model town not only in terms of civic amenities and health care but also the spirit of national integration it promotes by being a home to people belonging to different communities and cultures from practically all over India. Even in the field of sports, entertainment and education, to name a few, Jamshedpur is second to none. In fact, Jamshedpur is an oasis of peace and must be seen to be believed.
S. Balakrishnan JamshedpurDeath penaltyRAPE is a beastly act. To prevent such crimes, crude punishments such as hanging in public are required (Deadly gamble, July 4). Are such criminals not worse than terrorists who deserve to be killed instantly?
M. Kumar New DelhiAttack on mediaDIONNE BUNSHAs article on the intimidation of journalists by political activists and state agencies makes disturbing reading (Stop press, July 4). What kind of ignorant, insecure and priggish bullies are these, whose only response to criticism is to resort to thuggery?
Akshay Kaul London, U.K.IT is a peculiar democracy where political forces compete with one another to prove which of them can be more intolerant. They are also involved in competitive suppression of fundamental rights and freedoms. Thus we have a situation where the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra are trying to outdo the Shiv Sena in parochial violence by intimidating and attacking those who express views incompatible with Maratha pride.
The latest target of these self-appointed custodians of Maratha pride is Kumar Ketkar, the well-regarded Editor-in-Chief of the Marathi daily Loksatta.
J.S. Acharya HyderabadTHE attacks on the media are a very serious issue. Does writing against corruption, malpractices, nefarious deals, inhuman conduct, and so amount to sedition? Do we still live in the days of the British Raj?
Dr. Nutan Thakur LucknowBJP and MuslimsA.G. NOORANI exhorts the government to remove the factors that agitate the mind of Muslims in India but does not care to enlist their agitations (Merchants of hate, July 4).
One wonders why there is no direct mention of the UPA governments inaction on the Sachar committee recommendations. Is the BJP solely responsible for inaction on the report?
Finally, the author mentions the proliferation of Muslim youth in customer services in the United Kingdom as if it is a trend unheard of in India.
Access to opportunities is equal for everyone in India irrespective of ones religion, unlike in various Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia and Malaysia where Muslims are given preferential access to state resources and opportunities.
Ramar Sethu LondonIPS trainingR.K. RAGHAVANs column Training minds points out many issues in the police force that need attention (July 4). I admire the authors articles, but in this case, I was baffled by his comment that one positive feature of the IPS academy is that nearly 40 per cent of the trainees are engineers. Does that mean the remaining 60 per cent are not fit to become IPS officers?
I would like to add that the reason for the corruption in the police force is the discrepancy between the power they have and the salary they get.
Akash Mohan PuneTemples of artTHE 25-part series by Benoy K. Behl is comprehensive in its documentation of the evolution of Indian art and architecture as embodied in the stupas and temples of India. On the one hand, the breathtaking temples in Orissa and other parts of India may seem ambitious structures built at the cost of the peoples money, blood and sweat to commemorate ancient rulers. On the other hand, these beautiful and amazing structures are historical of the times when they were built. Till date, almost nothing is known about how such huge structures were erected at places not quite suitable for them.
I have lived very close to the Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar. But I have not heard anything, except some stories and legends, regarding the temple building technique. This, I think, is true in case of other stupas and temples in the country. Is it not imperative that a body comprising select historians from all over India take up intensive research in this direction?
Amiya K. Patra Sambalpur, OrissaIN the article Tallest of them all (June 20), Benoy K. Behl has beautifully portrayed the Konark Sun temple in Orissa.
I, however, do not agree with the authors view that the inspiration for the ratha (charoit) came from South India. The architecture of the Sun Temple was based on the belief that the Sun God on his ratha, which goes around the Earth, is constant.
Monika Monalisa Cuttack, OrissaKarnatakaONE factor that went against the Congress in the State Assembly Elections was the voters concern about stability (Cover Story, June 20). The Congress entered the fray without a chief ministerial candidate and was riven by intra-party bickerings.
On the other hand, by harping on the issues of price rise and terrorism, the BJP projected itself as the best bet against its opponents.
The BJPs strategy is apparently to create a pan-Hindu constituency through its divisive agenda.
The Karnataka elections are yet another illustration of the severe frailties of our electoral mechanism. The BJP emerged victorious without winning the largest share of the popular vote.
Money and muscle power was rampant in many pockets, especially in the mining belt. In Bellary city alone, a vote was priced anywhere between Rs.1,000 and Rs. 5,000.
B. Jayanna Krupakar Surathkal, KarnatakaNepalI READ the article about Nepals transition from a monarchy to a republic with great interest (Republic now, June 20).
It is not surprising that this has happened in a country neighbouring a vast republic like India. Hopefully, this will improve bilateral relations.
Pradeep Kumar Maurya LucknowAnnouncementLetters, whether by surface mail or e-mail, must carry the full postal address and the full name, or the name with initials.
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