Letters to the Editor

A touching story

This refers to write up "The Killing Fields" issue 11 (Media Watch, TSI, Apr 1). The role of intrepid journalists whose profession is almost balanced between life and death in the midst of Naxal infested forests has been touchingly focused. The unflinching devotion of the journalists to extract truthful reports by overcoming death traps and send them before the dead line is an astonishing factor. Hats Off!

Satya Murty

Kakinada

 

 

Abetting terrorism?

This refers to "We know what you do every summer" (TSI, Apr 22). India has rightly called for early action against Hafiz Saeed, the terrorist ideologue behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. One wonders why the cases against Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru are pending despite execution orders. Assuming that Hafiz is handed over to India, will the government dither in the same fashion? This is the executive’s way of distorting justice after the verdict has been pronounced by the judiciary. Crores are being expended on the security of convicted terrorists. Is the government wary of communal repercussions? Unless it changes its attitude, it will be open to the charge of abetting terrorism. The acts of terrorists, whether the attack on Parliament or the outrage in Mumbai, are extensively shown on television. By delaying the execution of the sentence, the political executive can reduce the judicial process to a mere farce.

Mahesh Kumar

New Delhi

 

 

Stop the killer drugs

The write-up by Prasoon S. Majumdar highlighting the dubious tricks played by unlicensed pharma companies to get their spurious drugs dumped into the market should serve as an eye-opener to the government. There is a need to immediately have an exclusive regulatory mechanism to end this menace. Absence of periodical inspection and review of pharma companies by authorities have only resulted in spurious drugs replacing the genuine ones with even qualified pharmacists and medical practitioners unable to differentiate real from the fake ones. The flaws in strategies and policies followed by the centre and the states has only emboldened and encouraged dubious manufacturers to manufacture spurious drugs. In addition, one of the contentious issue plaguing the pharma industry is the absence of an authentic data of listed drugs due to which tracking has become difficult and at times impossible. It is imperative that the Health Ministry initiate steps to enact a separate legislation to make periodical inspection of pharma companies mandatory in order to unearth and destroy killer drugs.

R Srinivasan

Secunderabad

 

 

Keep thef lame burning

Anil Pandey has been absolutely right in his article, “Who will teach the Teachers?” (TSI, Apr15) when he says that low drive among existing teachers to upgrade their knowledge and teaching methodology is a key reason for the alarming situation. Teaching is a profession which calls for diligent and sincere study. Honestly speaking, even in the wake of what we call the age of information technology and intellectual revolution, the profession of teaching can be compared to that of leftover of the entire gamut of the most lucrative careers. This calls for serious introspection on the part of entire nation. We must not forget that teaching is not merely a medium of imparting information to the students; it is a mission to bring about changes in the lives of people. However, the repercussion of rampant blitz of internet in our lives too has to be held responsible, to some extent, for the apathy to books. Anyhow, we must not forget that a candle cannot light another candle until it burns itself and so a teacher is expected to do is to keep his flame burning.

Shreepakash Sharma

Samastipur, Bihar

 

 

There is still time

This is in reference to “Where is the chamge” (TSI, Apr 22). The transfer of Damayanti Sen from the high profile crime branch to an insignificant assignment reveals, once again, the arrogance and vindictiveness of Mamata Banerjee. It was to Sen’s credit that she pursued the case vigorously and brought the guilty to book. This courage shown by Sen was possibly disliked by the Chief Minister, who seems to be surrounded by sycophants. The state will be deprived of the services of honest and courageous officers in any field. There is still time for her to take corrective steps to save the situation. Otherwise, in another four years, she and her party will be shown the door by the same people.

Meghna A

Hyderabad

 

 

Give mamata a break

This refers to the article "Where is the Change?" ( TSI Apr 22). With the changing political scenario of Bengal after the demolition of the 34 year old Leftist government, we are witnessing a change in its new form. I think it would not be wise to compare the present change with that of the past government. It is not the appropriate time to judge a government that just completed one year. We should not blame Mrs Mamata Banerjee and her government all the time. There is no doubt that she should not comment on all things without knowing the actual truth. The controversy over Mamata Banerjee’s comments on the Park Street rape case, Katwa rape case, the sudden transfer of Damayanti Sen and arrest of the Jadavpur professor are all set to make her image gloomy. The government should act according to the need of the people ofWest Bengal.

Manas Mukhopadhyay

Chinsurah, W.B

 

 

A concentrated effort needed

I appreciated the article by Prashanto Banerji, “Fight the Good Fight” (TSI, Apr 15) offering a practical solution to prevent the poaching of tigers. The advertisement is making an impact in the cities and towns, but not having any effect in the villages and amongst the forest tribals. So in addition to what Mr Banerji has mentioned in his article, I feel we should also concentrate on promoting awareness among these people and using them to stop poaching. We could also arm the forest department with sophisticated technology like satellite imaging to further strengthen them. Also, international bodies like the UN should enforce the CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species guidelines. In addition, steps should also be taken to preserve the forests themselves. If concentrated and holistic efforts are not made, then our national animal may become extinct in the wild and be found only in zoos or created in the labs using the DNA technology.

Savitha L

Bangalore

 

 

Shamelessness

On the sad state prevailing in the Indian Railways Arindam Chaudhuri in "Kill them, but don't hike the fares.." (TSI, Apr 1) has taken to task our vision-less, uncommitted politicians who have let down the railways. If the previous governments were responsible for turning a blind eye, the present UPA government is no exception as just to remain in power, it replaced Dinesh Trivedi who presented a good railway budget for 2012-13 by Mukul Roy who, as the Minister of State for Railways had defied Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by refusing to visit the site of an accident last year. Trivedi's move was based on the recommendations of the two expert committees headed by Anil Kakodkar and Sam Pitroda. There is a growing perception that railway reform is doomed and that the UPA leadership can be arm-twisted to do, or undo, anything. Mr Arindam is right to conclude that this is the only reason for the safety being guiltlessly compromised without blinking twice by our shamefully uncommitted politicians.

Dilbag Rai.

Chandigarh. 

 

 

A dangerous trend

Apropos “Corruption in defence” (TSI Mar 25), I would like state that Prasoon’s effort warrants appreciation. Earlier, the corruption in the army was only limited among the junior officials, involving a small amount. But unfortunately, within few decades the corruption has increased many folds and even very senior officers are involved. This is a very dangerous trend and it will tarnish the age old tradition and prestige of the Defense Services. Therefore it is the prime duty of the Defence Minister as well as the senior officials of defence department to maximise their effort to cleanse the corrupt practice in the services and bring back it’s the old tradition and ethos. 

Lt Col Ranjit Sinha (Retd) 

Kolkata