LETTERS

Public power and empire

This is with reference to the thought-provoking Cover Story essay (`Public Power in the Age of Empire', October 22). Arundhati Roy is trying to spread the message that we have to fight in a united manner for our safety, resources and freedom. But the question is, who will lead us? There is also a need for an effective strategy to tackle the huge problems that have spread in the world in the last 500 years. Roy talks about judicial activism and criticises the court rulings against strikes, but does not look at the issues of corruption, nepotism and red-tape, and the indifference towards people's problems one sees in government offices. This is a world of power and capital and those who inherit both will rule the world and society. But they should not forget the masses, who do not have basic rights. The writer has rightly pointed out the people's resistance will force them to work for the people.

Akhil Kumar Delhi* * *

In the name of socialism, big business was helped by the post-Independence political leadership. The same section has benefited from the policy of liberalisation. Arundhati Roy has rightly criticised Nelson Mandela and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for bowing to the dictates of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. But the omission of the heroic struggle waged by the people of Venezuela is glaring.

Convening an `Indian Social Forum' is the need of the hour. Every section of society that opposes the anti-people policies of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation should come together. The public should set the agenda, not the government. Without struggle, little can be achieved.

Hari Virudhunagar, Tamil NaduIndia-Pakistan relations

The articles about the successful tour of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his meeting with Pervez Musharraf were well written (`Bilateral bonhomie', `A glimmer of hope', October 22). The Prime Minister's reference to Pakistan during his speech at the United Nations, re-affirming his determination to carry forward the dialogue between the two countries to a purposeful and mutually acceptable conclusion, was excellent. His insistence on building a global coalition against terrorism, without adopting selective approaches, and giving importance to political expediency, should be complemented. His meeting with George W. Bush will surely enhance the level of cooperation between India and the United States and promote global security and prosperity in a world troubled by terrorism and nuclear proliferation.

A.J. Rangarajan New Jersey, U.S.Gudiya's trauma

The right to privacy is an essential feature of democracy. Gudiya's privacy was invaded by the television show ("Televised trauma", October 22). The television channel spotted an opportunity and exploited the situation. Trauma fetches good TRP rates even if it means ripping apart the personal space and rights of an individual. The right to privacy is the cornerstone of a free society. This is why attempts by the state to snoop on personal correspondence, including telephone tapping, is opposed vehemently by civil society. Zee Television, in its pursuit of profits, has failed to adhere to the norms of social behaviour. The show only aspired to bolster a few stereotypes about rural India and Muslims.

Social and institutional reforms cannot be achieved by trampling upon the rights of individuals. They need to be worked out in fora that are impersonal and with due respect for the rights of the citizens. The media is no exception to this rule.

Diana Sahu Cuttack, Orissa* * *

One must beware of the media, especially television news channels, which believe that every aspect of an individual's life is for public consumption. The televised `panchayat' in the Gudiya episode is a case in point. The media are responsible for sensationalising issues with a view to improving their ratings. It was better when there were no 24-hour news channels; it was worth watching news on television then.

Mahesh Kapasi New Delhi* * *

The article made interesting reading. The televised meeting would have been traumatic for Gudiya, as she had to take such a crucial decision in front of a large audience and thousands of viewers. But the absence of other women from Gudiya or Arif's family or Taufiq's village was not an issue, as mentioned in the article. What would the other women have done there? The manner in which the `panchayat' was conducted on Zee television was sensible and has helped to promote the cause of women. It has paved the way for a public debate.

Z. Ghazali Naghma Darbhanga, BiharAssembly elections

Congratulations on your excellent coverage of the Maharasthra pre-poll campaign and issues (October 22). The articles focussed on correct and constructive issues and pointed out the irrelevance of the issues of Veer Savarkar and Afzal Khan.

Kohinoor Banerjee KolkataBank mergers

"The merger mantra" (October 22) was informative and thought-provoking. Mergers will end the variety in the banking sector, decreasing the interest of a lot of people in banking. The move will eventually benefit other financial institutions.

If possible, the government should introduce new banks equipped with attractive policies to attract more public investment. A large number of people are unaware of the services offered by public sector banks.

As the number of public sector banks increase, healthy competition will increase, resulting in the successful performance of the banks.

Arun B. Ashok Wadakanchery, KeralaRaja Ramanna

With the demise of Raja Ramanna, the world of science has lost a colossus, and the world of music, a genius. (`A man of vision', October 22) A few years ago, Raja Ramanna came to Mumbai to participate in a symposium on music therapy. For an hour, he played on the piano the kritis of Tyagaraja and the Sonatas of Beethoven. It was a scintillating performance, which I was fortunate to hear.

Raja Ramanna was a Sanskrit scholar, and he wrote Sanskrit and Science. According to him, Sanskrit is a good medium for communicating scientific ideas. He also dealt with the history of Indian scripts and presented a proposal for its reform.

P.P. Ramachandran MumbaiAjanta

Looking at the Mattancheri murals is a unique visual pilgrimage from Dritarashtra's yagna after which Rama is born, to the return of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita to Ayodhya (`The legacy of Ajanta', October 22). It was Dasaratha who conducted a yagna for a child and not Dritarashtra, as mentioned in your article.

Sujith Prabu ChennaiDemocracy in the Maldives

This is with reference to `A cry for democracy' (October 8). The writer brands Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed a fundamentalist preacher, in line with the despotic regime's propaganda. The regime wants to convey to the world the impression that an extreme Islamic element is present within the reform movement in Maldives. Ibrahim Fareed is a moderate preacher, who is openly critical of the Gayoom regime.

The citizens of the Maldives are troubled by the regime's repeated use of the `religious extremism' card in diplomatic circles in order to throw a veil over its failure to address issues such as political reform, human rights and corruption.

Ali Naeem Male, MaldivesFocus on Sikkim

Having recently visited Sikkim, I read with keen interest your interview with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling (`Scaling new heights', October 8). I was impressed by the environmental initiatives of the Sikkimese government, especially those aimed at making Sikkim a plastic-free and organic State (achieving this goal would surely set it apart as one of the most environmentally enlightened governments in the world). But Mr. Chamling's vision seems to be self-contradictory when he talked in the same breath of aggressive industrialisation and international trade and the establishment of India's first and only World Trade Organisation (WTO) centre in the State. This programme might turn Sikkim into a paradise for corporate profiteering (Chamling's caveat about not upsetting the ecological balance notwithstanding).

The establishment of a WTO centre seems especially at odds with the environmental vision of the government. The WTO, in its single-minded promotion of expanded global trade at the behest of transnational corporations, is notorious for undermining the sovereign right of countries to set things such as strong environmental regulations.

The Sikkimese government should rethink its decision to allow the WTO to establish a centre in Sikkim. Sikkim still harbours such amazing biodiversity because the local people have been producing for local needs and not making industrial products for export to a global market.

Alex Jensen (A visitor from the U.S.) Received on email

Edict on prayers

The fatwa issued by Nadwa of Lucknow advising Muslims not to cause inconvenience to the public while offering prayers or while saying Azaan (call of prayer) is heartening. (`An edict on prayers', September 10). Azaan is intended for people living in the surrounding areas and hence a low level of audibility is enough, particularly when everyone is aware of the time of prayer. Friday or Eid congregations can be held, if the space inside the mosque is not sufficient, in community halls, open grounds or Urdu schools, after obtaining permission from the authorities. The space of the mosques need not be extended merely to accommodate more people on such occasions.

M. Naushad Ansari New DelhiDebate on death penalty

Death penalty can be abolished if imprisonment for life is enforced literally in more serious cases (`The debate on death penalty', September 10). However, in India a life-term is commuted to 14 years in a routine manner. In the U.S., courts award sentences of 40-50 years with the rider that the offender will not be entitled to the benefit of parole. If the death sentence is to be abolished, the courts should be empowered to award 40-50 year sentences in cases relating to contract-killing, multiple murders, murder of law enforcement officers and so on.

O.P. Jain Jaipur