Letters to Editor

Sheer nonsense
This refers to “Advantage BSP as Maya slices up” (TSI, Dec 4). Mayawati’s suggestion to divide Uttar Pradesh into four separate states is irrational. Since Independence, the number of states has increased, which does not seem to be in national interest. The reason behind such a demand is politically motivated and against our national interest and integrity. Before Independence, there were a good number of small states, and with much effort, Sardar Patel gave us a united India. If there will be more states, then the problems too will arise for both the Centre as well as the state governments. If the demand for the new states is accepted, we will be taking a step backward. Under the circumstances, if it leads to economic development, the creation of new states is acceptable; but just for politics, well, no!
Mahesh Kumar
New Delhi

God save Tamil Nadu!
The writer of the article “Politics of ‘Change’" (TSI, Nov 27) has aptly presented the unfortunate scenario of the people of Tamil Nadu as they get punished once in five years when their state goes in for the Assembly elections. The people of this state drive out the party in power at the time the state goes for elections and very religiously bring the opposition party to power, irrespective of the standard of governance of the previous regime. The above scenario is absolutely unique in the political annals of our nation as this type of a stereotyped and assured change of guard never takes place in any other state! Though Karunanidhi (DMK patriarch) and Jayalalithaa (uncrowned supremo of AIADMK) are known for their intellect, supreme sharpness, sagacity and political acumen, the moment they are ushered into power again, they rush to wreck vengeance against their predecessor, primarily at the cost of the honour of the state. Their acts aimed at hitting their arch political enemy lands the people in serious trouble. The leaders try to undo what his/her predecessor has done, unmindful of the repercussions, as a result of which we find the tax payers' money going into the drain. What is more tragic is that people, even after undergoing such an agony, would still deem it their privilege and pleasure to commit the same mistake again and again every five years. Only when the above two most talented leaders change their mind set and attitude and start doing things in the interest of the people, the state could witness prosperity.
Tharcius S. Fernando
Chennai

Bright future
The cover story "Small wonders" (TSI, Nov 20) was timely as Children’s Day falls on November 14. All the children featured in the write-up have carved their own niche and can certainly look forward to bright future with the support of their parents and those around them. It is a fact that the children are extremely talented with high IQ and it has enabled them to assimilate things much faster. The education levels might be sliding all over the country because of the commercialisation of the sector, but many children have still been able to beat the system and emerge stronger and well equipped to handle the responsibilities that might come their way. Hats off to the parents and support groups, who encourage young people of this country to showcase their talent without getting worried about their future. With the majority of the population, now consisting of youth below 25, the country’s future verily rests in their hands.
Ramya Aravind
Bangalore

A food for thought
Arindam Chaudhuri’s editorial “The beginning of a massive European collapse and the Italian case!” (TSI, Nov 27) gives a food for thought, especially for Indians. The ripples of wallowing Euro-economy dashed against our shores also, the shores of corruption. As a result, Indian currency has sunk to its lowest level against dollar. But I wonder how a nation of a billion people, a trillion slush fund, unbridled corruption, tax evasion and money laundering goes without much more difficulty! God is great. May God wake up our politicians from their sound sleep before the ripples turn into a tsunami.
Ebrahim Nasthar
Kerala

India vs china
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri has rightly pointed out the secret of China's progress in his edit “If we want a poverty-free India...” (TSI, Nov 20). But the fact remains that India will never be able to replicate China. India is a land of diversity in terms of religion, region and language. India is a parliamentary democracy where even the most destructive political views are permitted. There has been a coalition government in India for the past 20 years. The Cabinet portfolios are distributed not always on the basis of merit, but on numbers. In India politics plays a part in everything except childbirth! India is a much more tolerant nation than China. India is making progress in spite of many obstacles. China may have transformed itself but it has a very poor human rights record, besides its desire to grab land of other nations and dominate small nations. A poor democratic India is much better than a rich communist China.
Santosh Mohan Joshi
Sangli, Maharashtra

The debt crisis
Prof Arindam Chaudhuri's editorial on the economic precipice that Italy and many other European nations find themselves on, was a revelation (TSI, Nov 27). Though I happen to be a Psychiatrist by profession, economic jargon has always left me confused. Arindam's editorial has elucidated in a graphic and logical manner the real meaning of the terms like government debt, recession, and their repercussions on the mental and physical health of a nation. The moot question is that what has really gone wrong with such developed and strong economies as that of Italy? I think the problem lies with the political leadership and their inability to understand the intricacies of the world economic order or in the inability to take tough, potentially unpopular decisions. Is it a fallacy that confronts all democracies at some time or another? Is there a need for specialists to take independent policy decisions in some areas of governance such as economics and defence? This is a food for thought for all right thinking citizens.
Dr Gulbahar S Sidhu
Jalandhar

The wonder kids
The cover story “Small Wonders” (TSI, Nov 20) was astounding. After all it is not every week that one comes across a 14-year-old award winning film director or an 11-year-old kid who delivers lectures to B.E. and B.Tech students. Raising a child with talent and abilities far beyond their years is also quite challenging. From a very tender age these child prodigies enjoy attention and fame. As the pressure keeps on rising for further excellence, they may suffer from anxiety, risking loneliness, despair and an early burnout. For prodigies, successful transitions to successful adulthood needs proper monitoring. Parents and guardians need to give special attention to their gifted wards in such trying situations.
Saibal Kanti Guha
24 Parganas (North)

Hail indian judiciary!
Apropos “Justice delayed, not denied” (TSI, Nov 27). While the unprecedented interference into the functioning of the investigating agencies by the big fishes who were directly or indirectly involved in the post Godhra pogrom gave much doubt in the minds of the people that the victims of the said carnage would never get the deserved justice, the historical life sentence awarded to a record 31 persons by the judge in the Sardarpura Massacre case has reiterated that justice in India is not only actively alive but kicking! As the barbarians burnt to death 33 innocent and hapless people in a pre-planned heinous act, they deserved nothing less than gallows but the compassionate judge has spared them their life, as taking someone’s life is really barbaric. While we salute the learned judge for his conscientious and bold judgment, we also expect that this should only be a beginning and the judiciary should not rest until all the culprits, irrespective of the position they hold, are brought to books and severely punished in other post Godhra carnage cases as well. It is important that adequate protection is given to the witnesses who seem to be in constant threat from the big wigs who are believed to be actively involved in those crimes.
Anna Mary Yvonne F
Chennai

UID losing identity?
The article “Where is the Aadhaar?” by Prasson S Majumdar (TSI, Dec 4) dealt with an issue of improper implementation of a governmental project. Our government launched Aadhaar with pomp and show in 2009, aiming to provide a unique identity to all Indians to keep track of genuine population of India. The motto of this scheme is to keep biometric detail of Indian diaspora to enhance the security of the nation. But even after two years, due to insufficient political will and snail paced bureaucracy, the project has not got as much ground as it should have. Despite spending around Rs 2900 crore annually for the project we have not managed to provide Aadhaar to a small fraction of population till now. The process of UID must be made easily accessible and a campaign must be introduced at panchayat and school level to spread awareness. The local administration must enroll locals for the scheme by sincere efforts.
Gopal Jee Singh
Ballia, Uttar Pradesh