The Cover Story by three U.S.-based Professors provides considerable insight to policymakers, who are concerned about narrowing the gap between the growth rates of China and India ("Advantage China", March 25). One thing is clear: if India wants to catch up with China, it has to run faster. In economic terms, it means that the gross domestic product growth of India should be pitched at a much higher level than that of China, which has registered a growth rate of about 10 per cent. A point that should have been highlighted is that China has eliminated poverty levels at a faster rate than India. This has been possible because of the impetus given by China to the manufacturing sector and infrastructure development, which helped create jobs on a massive scale.
Kangayam R. RangaswamyWisconsin, U.S.
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The mantra of quality seems to be catching up in China. Its policies of economic liberalisation have allowed foreign investors to fill the economic vacuum in the country. In addition, its unified culture and common heritage has probably given it an advantage over India, which is still torn apart by communal tensions and the caste system.
A.S. Raj
Received on e-mail
Lebanon
Though John Cherian says that "the drama being enacted in Lebanon is aimed at undermining Syria and its secular Baathist government", the reality is that Syria has no secular friends in the region ("Lebanese turmoil", March 25). The Hezbollah and Iran are not exactly the champions of secularism. During the Iran-Iraq war, Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad chose to support Iran without showing feelings of brotherhood for Baathist-Iraqis.
Avraham SegevIsrael
The basis of governance
Bhaskar Ghosh says that there can be no good governance without order, security and dispensation of justice ("The basis of governance", March 25). However, words such as order, security and justice are not as value neutral as they appear to be. Things are more complicated today because of the tremendous growth of information and increasing public awareness. In the present circumstances, governance in the proper sense of the word is possible only when there is sincerity of purpose and seriousness in working for a cause. An increased level of public participation and willingness to amend laws as and when required are crucial for the success of administration.
Amitabh ThakurLucknow
Terrorism
Apropos the article "Getting at terrorism's underbelly" (March 25), I am apprehensive about the idea of dividing Islam into liberal and militant sections. This is a strategy adopted by the neo-colonialists after September 11, 2001. The availability of abundant oil in the Muslim world and its strategic location between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans have prompted the United States and its allies to revive the crusades against Muslim nations. Since Muslim countries have are militarily weak and ruled by unpopular governments, resistance comes only from freedom-loving people, who are branded terrorists.
A.T.M. AnwarHyderabad
India and Pakistan
In the environment of hostility between India and Pakistan, the common people of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered the most ("A bus ride for peace", March 11). The two governments have been insensitive to the feelings of the people by preventing them from meeting their relatives across the border. The beginning of a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarbad is an exceptionally good step, which will not only bring separated families together but also re-establish confidence between the countries.
Neeraj Kumar JhaMadhubani, Bihar
Railway budget
Though the fares were not increased, the railways should provide more facilities even if the cost is slightly higher ("On the reform track", March 25). The railway staff should also ensure passenger safety and convenience.
Mahesh KapasiNew Delhi
Kerala
Your Special Feature "Opportunities @ Kerala" (March 25) was commendable for showing the new face of Kerala. The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation has identified the State's advantages in terms of talent and resources, and has provided the infrastructure required for technological advance. This will make it possible for the State to compete with its southern neighbours and other top players.
A. Jacob SahayamThiruvananthapuram
Bill on infant food
Mother's milk for an infant is a must and it should be encouraged without reservations ("A bill and its import", March 11). No legislation should be enforced to curtail the provisions of the existing Act.
G.E.M. ManoharanCoimbatore
Russia
Putin's neo-liberal reforms have again created a furore and brought the Russian people's power to the fore ("Resisting `reforms'", March 11). The Kremlin's decision to annul Soviet-era benefits brought the people to the streets. Interestingly, student groups and public sector workers too, joined in the protests, besides pensioners.
Rahul MisraNoida, Uttar Pradesh.
U.V. Swaminatha Iyer
The article on U.V. Swaminatha Iyer was an in-depth and objective study of the life and works of the great Tamil savant, who immensely enriched Tamil language and literature ("The patriarch of Tamil", March 11). Dr. U.V.S. Iyer's library at Besant Nagar in Chennai, as Dr. V.C. Kulandai Swamy has observed, is a treasure trove and it should be preserved at all cost by the Tamil Nadu government and the public.
Thi. Ka. SivasankaranTirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
An insider's view
The review of M.K. Dhar's book shows that the prime loyalty of the bureaucrats is not to the common man but to those in power ("An insider's view", March 11). So how can we say that our democracy has been a total success?
Kamakhya B. SharmaBangalore
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