Letters to Editor

No mercy for Afzal
The cover story “Afzal Guru- Retrospective” (TSI, Sep 26-Oct 2) by Ira Jha revealed the mindset of the main Parliament attack accused when he compared the judgment of the death penalty awarded to him by the Supreme Court with the Khap Panchayat. It was he who had challenged the Indian State by attacking the Parliament House on December 13, 2001 in which seven security persons were killed. It was Afzal who had allegedly carried out the planning for the attack and made arrangements to get the explosives and the RDX, the Chinese pistol and other things. Why didn't the bomb, planted in the car used during the 2001 Parliament attack, explode? This question still puzzles Afzal Guru who is lodged in the Tihar Jail and waiting for his execution. If Afzal wonders why the bomb did not explode, Indian people are also wondering why Afzal has not been hanged till now. There is no place of clemency for such a dreaded terrorist and enemy of the country.
Suman
Noida

Surprising campaign
Rakesh Sinha has rightly pointed out that J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's drumming up tactics to save Afzal Guru is both shocking and disturbing (TSI, Sep 26-Oct 2). There is no doubt that Parliament attack was planned and executed by Afzal Guru. Therefore, certain section of the intelligentsia, including the separatists, playing the old tune of defending him is baffling. When the track record in meting out justice is lopsided, driving many to anger and alienation, one is at a loss to understand as to why the pro-Afzal campaigners think it is unfair to demand the execution of Afzal Guru when the hardcore terrorist's involvement in the attack on parliament has been substantially proved in the court. 
R. Srinivasan
Secunderabad

Where to go?
The cover story “Congress faces a rout but who gains?” (TSI, Sep 19-25) spontaneously reminded me of a story “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll in which a pretty little girl, Alice, asks a cat which way she should go from there. The cat replies that this depends a good deal on where she wants to reach. To this Alice says that she does not care much where she wants to go so long as she gets anywhere. This classical anecdote beautifully reflects the dilemma and dereliction of what we call the sacred duty of the Opposition parties in India. Benjamin Disraeli once said that no government can be long secure without a formidable Opposition. Majority of the people in India do think that the UPA, alternately used as an acronym for the “Utterly Poor Alliance’’, has lost moral authority for ruling. The common man has mercilessly been subjected to a host of problems inter-alia, sky rocketing inflation, corruption and callousness. So, what we need badly at present is to resuscitate the Opposition.
Shreeprakash Sharma
Samastipur, Bihar

Lessons from china
The editorial “Lessons for India...” (TSI, Sep 12-18) by Arindam Chaudhuri made for a stunning read. All the Chinese living outside China boost their country's economy on account of sheer patriotism and love for their fellow countrymen. Thus, China's economy is the sum of small sacrifices made by everyone from a skilled labourer to an influential officer/leader living within or outside the country. The external boost comes not only in the form of dollars and pounds but in the form of valuable dos, don'ts and hows of business! As a first step, we need to inculcate the values of love and patriotism in ourselves. Making small contributions will help us save millions who die of malnutrition, hunger, lack of basic healthcare and so on. I bet we can turn India into an economic giant and a great democracy afterwards.
Tawseef Ahmad Dar
Kulgam, Kashmir

India lags behind
This is in reference with Arindam Chaudhuri’s thought provoking article “Lessons for India...” (TSI, Sep 12-18). In the age of globalisation, every nation tries to capture the overseas markets and tries to secure their economic interests and job opportunities etc. China is rushing forward remarkably as they believe that ‘expansion is life’. At the very critical time of global financial crisis, Chinese growth rate is nearly 13 per cent and in near future they will go ahead the USA! It is  time to take lessons from China to capture overseas markets. Here we lag behind. When India is busy with north-west, China is capturing the big markets of south-east. But India easily can invest in neighbouring countries. Naturally, China is utilising this gap.
Samar Mandal
Paschim Banga

Writing on the wall
Apropos your cover story “Congress faces a rout...” (TSI, Sep 19-25), rampant corruption and runaway inflation have considerably dented the popularity of the Congress. What is more startling is the lackadaisical attitude of the party in dealing with these key issues affecting the aam aadmi. Back-to-back scams from 2G to Commonwealth Games have been a huge embarrassment for the Congress. A vigilant media, vibrant social movement and close monitoring by the judiciary have further brought forth the prevailing ills. Instead of honestly addressing the ailments in the system, Congress appears to be preoccupied in restraining the popular outpourings (Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement). The TVS-CVOTER Opinion Poll corresponded to this growing resentment among the people with the UPA losing its majority and coming a close second to the NDA. One doesn’t need to be a specialist to read the writing on the wall. But the question is: Is the Congress willing to read it and get its house in order?
Avijit Ghosh
24 Parganas North 

Politics on Afzal Guru
It was interesting to read Afzal Guru's interview (TSI, Sep 26-Oct 2). Is he a terrorist or a philosopher? He seems to be very well read on subjects like law, religion and constitution of India. He also knows all about the politics which is being played out in his name. I agree with him that his hanging will worsen the situation in Kashmir where today peace prevails. When he says he does not fear death it seems correct because those terrorists who were involved in 9/11 were not afraid of their death. People like Afzal Guru firmly feel that they are taking part in a Holy War which has the blessings of Allah. This is brainwashing of the worst kind. As far as the death sentence goes, waiting for the hanging is worse  than the actual hanging. Does Afzal Guru know that the word Guru in his name is a Hindu (kafir) word? Even the BJP does not want Guru hanged because that would rob them of a political issue! There seems to be a long life yog in his horoscope!
Santosh Mohan Joshi
Sangli, Maharashtra

Is bharat in the race?
Apropos of “Can Bharat compete with India?” (TSI, Sep 26-Oct 2), the twin personality of India and Bharat is complex and disturbing. We may have projected “India shining” but have concealed the “Bharat darkening”. As a nation, we need to feed our population. India has morphed into a future country but we often have ignored the bridges with rural India. The rising cost of food is disturbing. Milk prices are heading north. We need healthy nutrition and not just feeding the hungry with subsidised rice. It is not very encouraging when we are told that we have more hungry souls than even Africa. When a child dies of malnutrition, it is a wake up call. Food inflation is vital and not GDP figures. We need to control the prices of milk and fruits and cereals. When farming land gives way to residential projects, then the trend is worrying.
Loveen Motwani
Wanowrie, Pune

An interesting interview
This refers to the cover story “Afzal Guru- retrospective” (TSI, Sep 26-Oct 2).Thank you sir for such an enlightening piece. This has broadened up my perspective. After reading the interview we realise that at the end of the day everyone is a human being, filled with emotions, values and feelings. The interview beautifully describes the thinking of a terrorist. Today when he is at the verge of death, he realizes the value of relations and importance of family resulting into a petition to transfer him to Kashmir jail. What more he expects to be done with a terrorist in a jail of India? What about the families which lost everything by his evil deeds.
Animesh Kumar
Delhi

Kudos to Planman
Heartiest congratulations to professor Arindam Chaudhuri and Planman Motion Pictures for bagging the prestigious National Award for the Best Hindi Film, Do Dooni Chaar. The movie, with its simple and touching story of a middle class household’s daily turmoils and triumphs, starring yesteryears' superhit jodi – Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh – has touched the hearts of the cinema goers and it rightly deserved to be judged as the Best Hindi Film at the 58th National Film Awards. Kudos to Arindam Chaudhuri and Shubho Shekhar Bhattacharjee (CEO, Planman Motion Pictures) for producing meaningful and entertaining cinema like Dosar, Faltu and The Last Lear. We wish the Planman Motion Pictures to come with flying colours in future too and to give the audience meaningful and sensible cinema to celebrate and relish!
Mohak
Kalka