Einstein's century

The Cover Story was a good read ("Einstein's century", May 20). The theory of relativity is a path-breaking discovery not only in the field of science, but also in general life. In simple terms, Albert Einstein explained relativity: "You walk on hot sand in a desert for a minute, it seems like an hour; you sit with your valentine for an hour, it seems like a minute."

Shaunak Bordoloi Guwahati* * *

Einstein was probably the greatest scientist of our time. Though celebrations are held worldwide, in India we do not hear much about the World Year of Physics. Physics is no longer a first choice for students as there is not much money available in this field.

Subrata Datta Received on e-mail* * *Abhijeet D. More Mumbai* * *S. Prakash Mutharasanallur, Tamil Nadu* * *FrontlineR. Krishna Kumar Chennai* * *

The 20th century clearly belonged to Einstein, who gave the world the famous energy equation E=mc. The rare photographs and manuscripts published have truly made this issue a collector's item. On the occasion of his 50th death anniversary and the World Year of Physics being celebrated this year, no better tribute could have been paid.

S. Balakrishnan JamshedpurDisempowering Dalits

The panchayat byelections in the four villages near Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's constituency of Andipatti have made a mockery of Indian democracy ("Disempowering Dalits", May 20). This act of injustice should be given serious thought because it threatens the very roots of democracy and is against the reservation system and the idea of liberation of Dalits.

D. Karthikeyan KolkataA party for the son

For the past 17 years, K. Muraleedharan has been suffering the ridicule of regular politicians and the media as `the son' of K. Karunakaran ("A party for the son", May 20). Though he is dubbed Kerala's Sanjay Gandhi, his record of having been a Minister, Member of Parliament and the Pradesh Congress Committee president is equalled by few in Kerala. Nobody however, gave him any personal credit for his positions. Going by his rally speeches and media interviews, Muraleedharan finally seems to have arrived. He would never have gained the upper hand in the Congress after Karunakaran and thus had to have a party of his own to survive.

R. Sajan Aluva, KeralaIndia and Japan

John Cherian has objectively analysed the impact of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to India recently ("Japan's apology", May 20). At a time when the triangle of Russia, India and China is emerging stronger, India must play its diplomatic cards cautiously in improving its relations with Japan. As India is cultivating its relations with China, it can play a role in bringing China and Japan closer.

Rev. Prof. Thomas Edmunds Chennai* * *

The visit of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to India soon after Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's visit is indeed of great significance, especially in the context of India's current efforts in achieving energy security. No country can depend mainly on oil for achieving energy security except perhaps the West Asian countries, which hold two-thirds of the world's oil reserves. As for the rest, including India, security will lie in conservation measures and in establishing alternative energy sources.

Kangayam R. Rangaswamy Wisconsin, U.S.Missing tigers

The disappearance of the tigers is a serious issue ("A task force and its options", May 20). Stricter enforcement of laws and wider publicity on this subject are the need of the hour.

Mahesh Kapasi New DelhiLions in Gir

The statement of the Chief Conservator of Forests P.P. Rawal, that genetic problems associated with the highly inbred lion population can only be addressed by creating another geographically isolated satellite population, justifies the need for another home for the lions ("A kingdom too small", May 20). Sending a pride of lions to the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary is therefore a necessary ecological requirement and requires support from all quarters.

A. Khudsar DelhiReverse for police reforms

It was shocking that a woman was raped by a policeman on duty in a police chowki in Mumbai ("A reverse for police reforms", May 20).

M. Kumar New DelhiMoving closer

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India will definitely chart out a new road of mutual trust and bonhomie between the two countries ("Moving closer", May 6). A strong relationship between India and China is needed to blunt the growing influence of the U.S. in this part of the world.

Jyotiranjan Biswal OrissaA new phase in Iraq

George W. Bush succeeded in invading Iraq on flimsy grounds and ousting Saddam Hussein. Now that a new regime with mixed political affiliations has been installed, there is no reason for the American troops to stay there ("A new phase in Iraq", May 6).

G.E.M. Manoharan CoimbatoreMarxism and art

The article on the art exhibition "People in Progress" is a vivid analysis of contemporary themes depicted in the paintings ("The creative edge of Marxism", May 6). Art reaches out to the hearts of viewers through the eyes and the mind.

Zeeshan Ahmad Received on e-mailSocial security

What is the actual financial position of the pension accounts maintained by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation ("Social security of the State", May 6)? Is it in a position to allow every contributing member to withdraw the accumulated balances along with interest, on demand? What is its investment style? It is not clear what alternative the citizens of the country have to invest their hard-earned money. What about the people below the poverty line? Who will bear the onus of cross-subsiding their social security as they cannot contribute at all?

K.V. Subramanian MumbaiTerry Schiavo

The Terry Schiavo case has thrown up many issues that are relevant in India ("Matters of life and death", April 22). How do we define death? When is a patient said to be "terminally ill", "clinically dead" or in a "vegetative state"? There was medical opinion before the court that Terry Schiavo was in a vegetative state and that there was no hope of her ever recovering and leading a normal life. The Florida courts accepted this expert opinion. But there were other medical experts who believed that she was misdiagnosed and that she was not in a vegetative state but in a state of "minimal consciousness". Can medical opinion be regarded as conclusive? If a patient is still "alive", is it not euthanasia to remove the life support? Is euthanasia lawful? Should we provide in our law for a "living will" by which a person can authorise the removal of life support, if terminally ill? I am sure there are many such questions for which the law at present has no clear answer.

K. Ponnuswami Pennsylvania, U.S.Heritage hills

I was thrilled by Ian Lockwood's article with its evocative photographs ("Heritage hills", May 6). The photographs captured the natural beauty of the Ashambu Hills in the Western Ghats. The Tamil Nadu and Kerala Forest Departments should help to conserve and protect these beautiful places.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee FaridabadA new momentum

It is heartening to note that despite various obstacles the peace process is going on under popular pressure ("A new momentum", April 22). People on both sides of the border are eager to get together to share their common cultural heritage. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is quite right when he says: "... In a globalised world, borders do not matter." This is a time to support the peace process so that fundamentalists on both sides are isolated. More confidence-building measures and trade relations are the need of the hour.

Sudesh Kumar Sharma Kapurthala* * *

At a time when people-to-people contacts and other confidence-building measures have started to gain momentum, the American decision to supply F16s to Pakistan and F18s and some other sophisticated weapons to India might drag both the countries into another suicidal arms race. Both the countries need to be cautious as the U.S. is more concerned about its arms industry than the well-being of the South Asian region.

Neeraj Kumar Jha Madhubani, BiharModi and his visa

It is now clear that the U.S. government denied Narendra Modi a visa because of the mounting pressure of the groups that carried out a relentless campaign to censure him ("Modi and his visa", April 22).

Lokesh Pathak DelhiSavarkar's mercy petition

A.G. Noorani does not analyse the intent of the letter writer, his past and future actions regarding India's freedom, or the fact that none of the petitions written by Savarkar had any effect on the British ("Savarkar's mercy petition", April 8). Any plea for mercy made from captivity is most likely written for the sole purpose of getting out of captivity in order to continue the struggle. Shivaji is the most prominent example of such a petition made to Aurangzeb in Agra. Noorani also avoids reference to Gandhi's own letter of apology to the British for his Quit India Movement in 1942.

Subhash Bhagwat Illinois, U.S.