Mail of the Week

PICTURE SPEAK

"Living with Terror", August 28

"India is taking a stand that can at best be termed defensive. Events have developed to such an extent that terrorists are able to choose targets at will."

P.S. Rao, on e-mail

Defeat Terrorism

Terrorism has morphed into an innovative, hydra-headed monster, viciously ensnaring secular democracies of the world with the obvious intention of disturbing global peace and security ("Living with Terror", August 28). The recent strengthening of Indo-US relations has stoked the ire of jehadis.

Nalini Vijayaraghavan, Thiruvananthapuram

Identifying terrorism with Islam and jehad is wrong. Islam advocates peace and the true meaning of jehad lies in fighting for peace, doing away with social evils like slavery and eradicating dangerous diseases from the face of the earth.

S. Jamal Ahmad, Patna

Politicians are issuing shrewd statements either to defend the culprits, owing to their nexus with the minorities, or to buy time and let the tension diffuse. Our prime minister cannot do anything other than ask people to remain calm or speak about "tough measures".

Arvind K. Pandey, Allahabad

The international community must give up its differences to put up a united front against terror and fundamentalism. The West should reconsider its policies aimed at worldwide dominance-under the garb of globalisation-which are deeply resented by Muslim countries.

S.C. Kapoor, Noida

Intelligence is the Key

Good intelligence is the tool that steers national policy, educates and forewarns the country's leaders ("Making India Safe", August 28). No wonder Winston Churchill used to tell his intelligence wing officers, "Find me the truth even if it is unpalatable."

Ranjit B. Rai, Delhi

The Indian intelligence is doing a good job, but it has admittedly been caught unawares by recent terrorist strikes. Since terror plots are hatched in one country, the men are trained in another and the execution takes place in a third country, no intelligence functionary in the world can thwart these plans.

S.S. Ramanatha Rao, Bangalore

Terrorists may strike again once we become complacent. No amount of surveillance by security agencies can prevent the mishaps unless the citizens rise to the need of the hour by forming resident security associations, with participation from minority communities.

P.K. Srivastava, on e-mail

Exemplary Action

The London arrests are a classic example of timely prevention of catastrophic chain events ("Lessons from London", August 28). There is enormous pressure on law-enforcing authorities throughout the world. Law-abiding citizens have to play a big role in reporting anti-national activities.

S. Lakshmi, on e-mail

Natwar Objects

CHILDREN OF A CLEVER GOD

It is heartening to know that nine- and 10-year-olds are attempting things one would never associate them with. Being prodigal is a huge bonus. The important thing from a child's perspective is to be able to identify reasonably early in life what he/she is good at. Hiren Shah, on e-mail Child prodigies often turn out to be antisocial as a result of the superiority complex they naturally develop. When they grow up, they find it difficult to adjust in the society that nurtured them. Thankfully, gifted children are exceptions rather than the rule. Lata Raghavan, Delh

You have made highly objectionable observations against me ("Fight of the Fallen", August 21). Your article says: "Natwar Singh leads a Congress delegation to Iraq... Without authorisation, includes son Jagat and Andaleeb Sehgal in the delegation." The Pathak Committee has stated that the delegation consisted of four members only-myself, A.R. Antulay, Shiv Shankar and Aniel Matherani. Secondly, you have said that I won "only one Lok Sabha election from Bharatpur in 1984". This is incorrect. I won my second Lok Sabha election from Bharatpur in 1998.

K. Natwar Singh, Member of Parliament

Internal Affairs

Natwar Singh's criticism of foreign policy after he was forced to quit following his alleged involvement in the Iraq oil scandal was unfortunate ("Interview of the Week", August 28). The problem is that Natwar treated the External Affairs Ministry as his fiefdom.

M.M. Gurbaxani, Bangalore

The interview, focused on sensitive issues, was a pleasure to read. Natwar Singh, a victim of circumstances, deserves praise for his candid comments.

B. Rajasekaran, Bangalore

Procreation Pangs

Archbishop Vithayathil's message about procreation is a hard pill to swallow. ("For God's Sake", August 28). His logic of community strengthening by procreation is ridiculous. Progressive steps towards family-planning might be affected by such ideas. Be it Catholics or the RSS, we should oppose these thoughts.

Amit Kumar Verma, Delhi

Unlawful Behaviour

The custodial deaths in Kerala are unfortunate and indicative of the worsening law and order situation in the state ("Life in Cop's Own Country", August 28). The police alone cannot be blamed for such incidents. However, there is a need to review its high-handedness and make it learn the basic rules of courtesy when dealing with the public that seeks help and redressal at police stations.

K.R. Venkata Narasimhan, Bangalore

Growing Malaise

Shankkar Aiyar has succinctly brought out the plight of senior citizens as far as medical insurance is concerned ("No Cover for the Old", August 28). One fails to understand the rationale behind the denial of commission to agents on policies for people above 55.

G.M. Rama Rao, on e-mail

Biased Administration

The Indian Administrative Services (IAS) have taken on the character of state services through the mechanism of state cadres ("The Crass Ceiling", August 28). Why should the women officers of Maharashtra be retained for decades in the state?

Shiv Chandra Mathur, Jaipur

Urdu-Struck

It is a pity that Urdu, an incredibly sweet language, is languishing and sliding towards oblivion ("The Missing Tongue", August 28). While many languages suffered due to British colonialism and dominance of the English language in India, Urdu has been affected by communal politics.

T.S. Pattabhi Raman, Coimbatore

Factual Errors

In your article on the unique forest conservation movement in Orissa, there are some factual errors ("Who Owns India?", August 21). The name of the district is "Nayagarh", not "Neyagarh". Secondly, your figure of "1.5 million active members" from 65,000 households is misleading. There is no concept of individual membership in Nayagarh Jungle Surakshya Mahasangha. The population of the district is only 0.86 million.

Barna Baibhaba Panda, Bhubaneswar

Towards Muslim Literacy

In your article on Muslim education, you have described the literacy differential between Muslims and non-Muslims-of about 5 to 10 per cent-as shocking ("A Shocking Divide", August 14). This is likely to create unnecessary disaffection in the minds of Muslims. The problem lies in their devoting too much attention to religion rather than the future of their children. You should have suggested that madarasas should be converted into high schools.

Gian Chand Totu, Chandigarh

You seem to convey the impression that Muslims are lagging behind because of non-Muslims. The reason for the low literacy among Muslims is their religious leaders who exhort them to maintain separatism, oppose polio drops, family planning, the national song, the Hindi language and all that non-Muslims believe in.

M.K. Johri, Pune

Index