PICTURE SPEAK
""Fading Away", India Today, September 27	"The New Nationalism", October 11

"If Zoroastrianism is to flourish it should shed its rigidity and adopt some liberalisation. Other religions have flourished mainly because they embrace everybody who wants to join their fold."

Harbandana Kaur Sidhu, on e-mail

"It is nice that our directors are finally doing what they are best at. The only way Indian films can get international recognition is through stories about our country. These movies could herald a new phase of Hindi cinema."

Sameer Hashmi, Bangalore

Local Colour

It is imperative that our movie moguls create awareness of our patriotic heritage among the new generation ("The New Nationalism", October 11). Nothing binds a nation more than collective empathy for a common cause.

Lt-Colonel (Retd) Nageshwant Roy Vaid, Delhi

This new streak of patriotism is definitely a welcome change from the anti-Pakistan rhetoric that serve as high moments in Hindi cinema. It is good to see Bollywood finally moving beyond conventional story ideas.

Bharti, on e-mail

India can certainly do with a heavy dose of patriotism, be it through mega films, leaders, books or acts of heroism by our gallant soldiers. Lack of national fervour, discipline and pride have always been among our shortcomings as a nation.

Wing Commander (Retd) S.C. Kapoor, Noida

While it is interesting to know that national fervour is all set to rule Bollywood this winter, it is equally unfortunate that patriotism has failed miserably in "real life" over the past few decades. While the "patriots" of the silver screen earn crores of rupees many freedom fighters still have to run from pillar to post to get their monthly pension, not to speak of the many war widows who are yet to get their compensation.

S. Balakrishnan, Jamshedpur

Bollywood would be doing its viewers a big favour if it releases all the patriotic movies at decent intervals of time. Otherwise they will meet the same fate as most of the movies on Bhagat Singh.

Anusha Singh, Delhi

It is good to find Bollywood's recent obsession with skin show giving way to a deluge of nationalism. Trends in Bollywood depend solely on success, which continues to be an unpredictable factor. The success of films like Kisna and Veer-Zaara is, therefore, critical.

Suresh Behera, Ranchi

Home Truth

India needs a home minister who is not only a capable administrator but also has a lot of sagacity ("Home Alone", October 11). At present we have Shivraj Patil whom the Hurriyat doesn't want to talk to. The Northeast continues to simmer thanks to the indifference he displayed when the Manipur crisis erupted. We need a minister who brings more to the table than just an immaculate sense of sartorial chic.

J.S. Acharya, Hyderabad

Patil doesn't deserve to be given charge of any responsible post because he has not only lost the mandate of the people but also failed to discharge his duties well.

Siddhartha Raj Guha, Jabalpur

Dirty Battle

Tainted politicians are the bane of this country ("Digging Up Dirt", October 11). What makes matters worse is that no action is ever taken against such people, including those in the Union Cabinet.

V.S. Ganeshan, on e-mail

What goes around comes around. Earlier the NDA government was busy pointing out flaws in the Congress. Now it is the UPA's turn to do the same. These games of one-upmanship are a waste of time. The UPA Government should have concentrated on issues which are of interest to the common people.

Bal Govind, Bareilly

The decision to dig up all scams of the NDA era appears to be a ploy by the UPA to divert attention of the people from its own poor governance record. The entire process will only lead to wastage of public funds.

Mahesh Narang, Delhi

The only way the UPA can escape allegations of conducting a witch-hunt against its political rivals is by expediting inquiries into all scams, including the fodder scam and the Taj Heritage Corridor case.

Krishnan, Kinassery, Palakkad

The order for the purchase of reusable aluminium caskets was not given by me. It was done at the level of the military leadership, with clearance from the secretary to the Ministry of Defence. Their actions were within the limits of their authority to make such purchases. I came to know of this order when the CAG report became a subject of controversy in Parliament. The army initiated negotiations to procure these caskets some time after February 1997, long before the Kargil War began. The contract was signed on August 2, 1999, long after Pakistan withdrew from Kargil. I had gathered these facts from the files when the controversy started in Parliament.

George Fernandes, former defence minister

Success Formula

Given the cutthroat competition in the corporate world, the chances of one's success today are governed more by what is not taught in a business school ("The Premier League", October 4).

Navneet Dhawan, Delhi

DEATH TRAPS

The only way to ensure that the number of deaths from infection come down is to inculcate observance of sterilisation norms among all hospital staff ("The Killer Within", October 11). The seniors have to lead the way as this will make the juniors follow suit. D.S. Kanade, Pune Government hospitals should be monitored by NGOs and should be made accountable to the public. This will make staff members think twice before callously flouting all norms related to hospital hygiene. Azhar Sayeed, on e-mail Going by the story, one wonders whether our hospital staff have been properly trained in safety measures. Samirendra Nath Adhikari, Kolkata

Left and Centre

It is distressing to see Manmohan Singh repeatedly going out of his way to appease people like Sitaram Yechury, A.B. Bardhan and D. Raja ("Red Sparks Flying", October 4). The Congress will end up writing its own obituary if it continues functioning as an appendage of the left parties.

Anjali Srecoomaar, on e-mail

The communists have to learn to change with the times. The fact that they are providing outside support to the Government does not give them the right to obstruct all positive steps taken by it.

Lt-colonel B. Sarpeshkar, Bangalore

Going by the constant interference by the left parties, the Common Minimum Programme should be renamed the Comrades Meddling Programme.

K.J.S. Ahluwalia, Amritsar

It is ironical that the leftists see nothing contradictory in following the ideals of Marx and Lenin and at the same time opposing foreign advisers in the Planning Commission.

Suresh Srivastava, Allahabad

Personal Agenda

It is evident that the chief concern of our politicians is not development but the strengthening of their own position within their party ("Queen Bees in Naidu's Bonnet", October 4).

Kevin Guna, on e-mail

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