Battle Fatigue

By abandoning the diplomatic route in its Iraq policy, the US has lost its credibility as the messiah of peace in south Asia ("Preparing for War", October 28). Uncle Sam is either besieged by a vicious paranoia about weapons of mass destruction or just wants to tide over its economic recession by installing a puppet regime in Iraq, which will enable it to have a finger in the pie of the world's largest crude oil reserves.

Nalini Vijayaraghavan, Thiruvananthapuram

Your cover story establishes the US as a big bull, proclaiming to the world, "Don't do as I do, but do as I say." Its insistence on war against Iraq is double-edged. Its hatred for Saddam Hussein and its greed for the vast reserves of oil will prove perilous to the innocent people of Iraq. All the while the US remains an ally of Pakistan which shelters terrorists. The world is just a mute spectator.

K.C. Subhash Chandra, on e-mail

George Bush and Tony Blair should well remember what Winston Churchill wrote on war after the Boer War-"However sure you are that you can easily win, there would not be a war if the other man did not think that he also had a chance."

Arun Vaidya, on e-mail

The cover picture was superb. It looks as though Saddam Hussein is hitting the head of the artist with the butt of his rifle.

N. Raghupathy, on e-mail

Letters

Service Rules "It is time we provided mental relaxation by offering yoga and ayurveda in the new lifestyle centres as is being done in the West." Ritu Awasthi, On e-mai

Service Rules

India is moving towards a service society ("Where Are the Jobs?", October 28). While employment in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors shrank, the number of people employed in the service sector went up. Moreover, large corporations are giving place to smaller, leaner organisations. We need to reorient education, especially professional courses, to serve the changing job markets. The it bubble has burst but we need more people who can set up their own business and become entrepreneurs. Those fancy compensation packages may be a thing of the past. Salaries and perks should reflect the present low interest regime which is likely to be the trend of the future.

D.B.N. Murthy, on e-mail

Soldier's Due

The army suffers due to the decisions made by leaders who are ignorant of the problems faced by them ("Back From the Brink", October 28). In the US, where every able-bodied person has to serve in the defence forces, the public empathises with the soldiers. Our nation will one day suffer for not giving proper attention to the defence forces.

Rajesh Butola, on e-mail

India's military options are becoming increasingly costly. The strategy planners seem completely ignorant of the enormous economic leverage that India has over the region. India needs to learn economic warfare from that past master Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia who has skillfully thrust and parried with rivals without raising his voice. In dealing with neighbouring Singapore, he has given notice that the price of Malaysian water to its island neighbour will increase manifold, a move that will seriously affect industry prospects in Singapore. Similarly India should exact a high economic price from Pakistan and its allies in the Security Council.

S.K. Bhattacharya, on e-mail

Crossing the Bar

TIt is not possible that Sunita Rani took drugs without the help of the team doctor and the knowledge of her coach and manager ("Behind the Vial", October 28). If she has been penalised, the others must also be summarily dismissed from the posts they hold for their acts of commission or omission. It is more often coaches (whose performance depends on the performance of the sportspersons whom they coach) who, with the connivance of doctors, coax such superb athletes like Sunita Rani into taking drugs-thereby ruining their careers. They must be put behind bars if found guilty.

Khurshed Pastakia, on e-mail

Gift Wrap

The story says Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi's wife Renu Jogi shopped for carefully chosen gifts for all 90 state legislators while on a tour of Malaysia and China with the chief minister ("Newsnotes", October 28). It describes her "political correctness" as an asset to her husband. But who bore the cost of the gifts? And who, if anyone, paid the customs duty?

S. Venkatesan, on -mail

Fall Show

Although unprecedented and historic, the fractured verdict in Jammu and Kashmir has complicated the state's problem ("Vote Against Dynasty", October 21). Both the Congress and the People's Democratic Party should realise that the state is larger than any party. Unless they rise above their personal ambitions, how can they address the more complex issues confronting the state?

Rajesh Tuneja, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan

The victors have to deliver. They cannot cheat the people and not deliver on the promises. Kashmiris will lose faith in elections and eventually democracy if they do so.

K. Chidanand Kumar, on e-mail

Readers are recommended to make appropriate enquiries before sending money, incurring expenses or entering into commitments in relation to any advertisement appearing in this publication. The India Today Group does not vouch for any claims made by the advertisers of products and services. The printer, publisher, editor-in-chief and the editor of the India Today Group publications shall not be held liable for any consequences in the event of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers.

Battle Fatigue

By abandoning the diplomatic route in its Iraq policy, the US has lost its credibility as the messiah of peace in south Asia ("Preparing for War", October 28). Uncle Sam is either besieged by a vicious paranoia about weapons of mass destruction or just wants to tide over its economic recession by installing a puppet regime in Iraq, which will enable it to have a finger in the pie of the world's largest crude oil reserves.

Nalini Vijayaraghavan, Thiruvananthapuram

Your cover story establishes the US as a big bull, proclaiming to the world, "Don't do as I do, but do as I say." Its insistence on war against Iraq is double-edged. Its hatred for Saddam Hussein and its greed for the vast reserves of oil will prove perilous to the innocent people of Iraq. All the while the US remains an ally of Pakistan which shelters terrorists. The world is just a mute spectator.

K.C. Subhash Chandra, on e-mail

George Bush and Tony Blair should well remember what Winston Churchill wrote on war after the Boer War-"However sure you are that you can easily win, there would not be a war if the other man did not think that he also had a chance."

Arun Vaidya, on e-mail

The cover picture was superb. It looks as though Saddam Hussein is hitting the head of the artist with the butt of his rifle.

N. Raghupathy, on e-mail

Letters

Service Rules "It is time we provided mental relaxation by offering yoga and ayurveda in the new lifestyle centres as is being done in the West." Ritu Awasthi, On e-mai

Service Rules

India is moving towards a service society ("Where Are the Jobs?", October 28). While employment in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors shrank, the number of people employed in the service sector went up. Moreover, large corporations are giving place to smaller, leaner organisations. We need to reorient education, especially professional courses, to serve the changing job markets. The it bubble has burst but we need more people who can set up their own business and become entrepreneurs. Those fancy compensation packages may be a thing of the past. Salaries and perks should reflect the present low interest regime which is likely to be the trend of the future.

D.B.N. Murthy, on e-mail

Soldier's Due

The army suffers due to the decisions made by leaders who are ignorant of the problems faced by them ("Back From the Brink", October 28). In the US, where every able-bodied person has to serve in the defence forces, the public empathises with the soldiers. Our nation will one day suffer for not giving proper attention to the defence forces.

Rajesh Butola, on e-mail

India's military options are becoming increasingly costly. The strategy planners seem completely ignorant of the enormous economic leverage that India has over the region. India needs to learn economic warfare from that past master Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia who has skillfully thrust and parried with rivals without raising his voice. In dealing with neighbouring Singapore, he has given notice that the price of Malaysian water to its island neighbour will increase manifold, a move that will seriously affect industry prospects in Singapore. Similarly India should exact a high economic price from Pakistan and its allies in the Security Council.

S.K. Bhattacharya, on e-mail

Crossing the Bar

TIt is not possible that Sunita Rani took drugs without the help of the team doctor and the knowledge of her coach and manager ("Behind the Vial", October 28). If she has been penalised, the others must also be summarily dismissed from the posts they hold for their acts of commission or omission. It is more often coaches (whose performance depends on the performance of the sportspersons whom they coach) who, with the connivance of doctors, coax such superb athletes like Sunita Rani into taking drugs-thereby ruining their careers. They must be put behind bars if found guilty.

Khurshed Pastakia, on e-mail

Gift Wrap

The story says Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi's wife Renu Jogi shopped for carefully chosen gifts for all 90 state legislators while on a tour of Malaysia and China with the chief minister ("Newsnotes", October 28). It describes her "political correctness" as an asset to her husband. But who bore the cost of the gifts? And who, if anyone, paid the customs duty?

S. Venkatesan, on -mail

Fall Show

Although unprecedented and historic, the fractured verdict in Jammu and Kashmir has complicated the state's problem ("Vote Against Dynasty", October 21). Both the Congress and the People's Democratic Party should realise that the state is larger than any party. Unless they rise above their personal ambitions, how can they address the more complex issues confronting the state?

Rajesh Tuneja, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan

The victors have to deliver. They cannot cheat the people and not deliver on the promises. Kashmiris will lose faith in elections and eventually democracy if they do so.

K. Chidanand Kumar, on e-mail

Readers are recommended to make appropriate enquiries before sending money, incurring expenses or entering into commitments in relation to any advertisement appearing in this publication. The India Today Group does not vouch for any claims made by the advertisers of products and services. The printer, publisher, editor-in-chief and the editor of the India Today Group publications shall not be held liable for any consequences in the event of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers.