PICTURE SPEAK

"India's Space Success", February 5, 2007

Earthly Concerns

No doubt India has evoked respect and admiration by joining the select band of nations with space and rocket science capabilities ("India's Space Odyssey", February 5). But shouldn't we also join the same club in providing basic amenities to the public, whose money is essential for space research?

K. Chidanand Kumar, Bangalore

Congratulations on an excellent coverage of India's recent success in space. As we gaze at our next milestone, we must remember that the astronauts and scientists who will help India realise its dreams are either unborn or are very young today. It is important to give them an ideal education.

Sachit Butail, New York

As a concerned citizen who was in fact associated with the supply of propellant for the Rohini launch from TERLS in the 1960s, I believe that we should consider shelving the Chandrayan so that the funds can be diverted to pressing issues.

N. Dharmeshwaran, Guduvancherry, Tamil Nadu

We should be proud of our space achievements. However, investing resources on manned space probes or sending an unmanned probe to the moon is of little value to the nation. We should use space technology for developmental purposes.

D.B.N. Murthy, Bangalore

Dump the Poll

Opinion polls conducted even during election time have proved to be defective as well as deceptive ("Ascent and Dissent", February 5). When the UPA Government is just half way through, you have conducted an opinion poll which does not seem to be an exception. The views of a mere 12,386 cannot be the ultimate judgement.

T.S. Pattabhi Raman, Coimbatore

When there is nothing worthwhile to report, you fill up pages with meaningless opinion polls. If you wish to know the minds of your readers, commission an opinion poll on how many of us are actually interested in such polls. Better leave the pages blank next time; we could use them as stationery.

Ravi Bedi, Jodhpur

My seven-year-old son sits for exams twice a year, but our political parties have to pass through the poll scanner every few months.

Rajneesh Batra, Delhi

Progressive Alliance

The people of India seem to be generally in support of UPA Government's policies and achievements ("Slow Yet Steady", February 5). The economic achievements, nuclear deal and Sonia Gandhi have strengthened the alliance. The internal bickerings in the BJP, and its lacklustre performance in most areas, have considerably pulled down its popularity graph.

V.K. Tangri, Dehradun

The BJP finds itself in political wilderness, a syndrome the Congress too witnessed when it was out of power for a long time. A winning force and a strong leadership are needed now.

S.K. Gupta, Delhi

For the BJP, all is not lost yet. There are many pointers in the poll indicating that who runs the show is important to voters. The BJP should project Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a powerful leader.

H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana, Mysore

Race to Success

The racism episode proved to be God-sent for Shilpa Shetty, who finally managed to walk away with the booty ("From Page Three to Page One", February 5). This seems to prove that even at a time of distress, film stars and politicians use their celebrity status to turn adversity into an advantage.

V.S. Ganeshan, Bangalore

Controversies and scandals are the best shortcuts to success. What was the need for the Government of India to intervene on the basis of comments in a third-rate show? The episode may have been scripted accordingly to make TV ratings soar. In the end, it is Shetty and Channel Four that have gained.

Vitull K. Gupta, Bhatinda

Shetty's victory is yet another emphatic win for India. After falling prey to racist behaviour, the actor proved her presence in the TV show and won it hands down. The way the media and the people of Britain reacted against racism is commendable.

\Jayantabishnu Mukherjee, Kolkata

The racial abuse and ignominy suffered by Shetty mirrors the real face of British society. I have been called a rampant nigger and a gringo by whites here. Scratch an Englishman and you will find a racist under his skin.

R. Chatrath, on e-mail

Land Slide

The tough resistance offered by the residents of Nandigram proves that it is not possible to fool all the people all the time ("Course Correction", February 5). Considering the fact that policies aimed at large acquisitions of land have been formulated with a handful of business czars in mind and landowners obviously feel betrayed.

Arvind K. Pandey, Allahabad

Few experts will be able to explain why a whopping 1 lakh hectares of land is required for just over 200 SEZs. The large area of land being acquired under state patronage, as though for a public utility, will arouse suspicion even in the mind of a naïve citizen. Under the garb of SEZs, land sharks may be out in the market to usurp fertile areas and convert into a profitable realty.

Bichu Muttathara, Pune

Islamic Insights

While appreciating the biography of Prophet Mohammad written by Karen Armstrong, the reviewer ought to have taken note of another excellent biography, written by the French Islamic scholar Maxime Rodinson ("Pride Against Prejudice", February 5). This book is neither antagonistic to Islam, nor fawns over the life story of the Prophet.

B.N. Gururaj, Bangalore

TOWARDS A SAFER FUTURE

Social security of children is not the sole responsibility of the Government. Every citizen is accountable.

Manoj Saraf, Kolkata

We tend to think that a boy child is safer than a girl, but your story shows that is not necessarily true.

Mataprasad Venkatrao Mukhedkar, Pune

Self-protection should form a part of a child's learning.

Ankit Kumar, on e-mail

Kahin bhi hum surakshit nahin zamane mein/na aashiane ke baahar aur na aashiane mein. (We are safe nowhere in this world, neither outside the house nor within).

M. Dinesh, on e-mail

30
Years Ago in India Today
FEBRUARY 16-28,1977

Why Change?

"I know I'm stagnating. But I'm in the system and I'm too happy being commercially saleable to make a move to change things," smiled Amitabh Bachchan a little sheepishly. He nonchalantly shrugged off any commitment he might have towards his fans, saying, "Why should the film industry take on the task of educating the masses? That's the government's job." With the lingering taste of his earlier struggle to make it to the top still vivid, Bachchan has decided to focus all his acting ability in doing the kind of roles he knows the public will accept. "There's no point in being too choosy about my roles, as there's not much variety in Indian cinema." Asked about which co-stars he enjoyed working with, he remained non-committal, saying, "It's easier to give a more realistic performance when the lady concerned is reasonably responsive."

-from Eyecatchers