PICTURE SPEAK

"Profiles in Courage", February 12, 2007

Salaam India

Who will not be inspired by the children who have been honoured with bravery awards ("Bravehearts", February 12)? Every child in this country should aspire to develop such courage and wisdom.

S. Lakshmi, on e-mail

Congratulations on the befitting tribute you have paid to the real life heroes, for it is they, not film stars and politicians, who deserve to be on the cover of your magazine.

K. Chidanand Kumar, Bangalore

Honouring brave children on the occasion of the Republic Day is one of the greatest traditions we have been following in India. We can take it a step further by tracking the progress of these children. The State should make sure that they don't suffer due to lack of any opportunities or facilities. It will be worthwhile to conduct a survey of children who have been honoured with the awards in the past 15 years to see where their courage and bravery have led them.

Colonel R.D. Singh, Jammu

It would be a pity if these gifted children are not able to realise their potential as they grow up. They must not be allowed to fade into oblivion. INDIA TODAY should champion the cause of bravery and enable them to be eminent citizens of 'India tomorrow'.

Navneet Dhawan, Delhi

The bravehearts remind me of a couplet written by saint Thiruvalluvar: "Do not let problems become your masters; instead, become masters yourselves and defeat the problems."

S. Balakrishnan, Jamshedpur

Rating Right

Your survey on the best chief ministers reflects the voice of the people ("Making Up for Lost Time", February 12). Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi top the list. This should force their critics to bid adieu to their baggage of prejudices about them.

Arvind K. Pandey, Allahabad

The vibrant Modi is leading Gujarat on the development front by providing a safe haven for investors and quality infrastructure, taking up the cause of environmental cleanliness, and initiating campaigns against social evils like female foeticide.

Dr Suresh R. Patani, Vadodara

In spite of all his claims of turning Gujarat into a land of milk and honey, Modi is a liability on the BJP. He is not fit to occupy key organisational posts.

J. Akshay, on e-mail

Political Act

Amitabh Bachchan is spoiling his image by siding with the Samajwadi Party ("Interview of the Week", February 12). His claim that he does not "do politics" falls flat, considering he is being projected as Uttar Pradesh's brand-ambassador in government advertisements that show flags of the Samajwadi Party in the background.

Madhu Agrawal, Delhi

Three Cheers for Shilpa

The credit for Shilpa Shetty's success goes to her ability to be calm in the face of harsh criticism and insolent remarks made by her co-participants ("Drool Britannia", February 12). She carried herself with dignity despite disdainful treatment. She has proved that the way to success is paved with thorns, and the one who doesn't flinch gets to wear the crown.

V.K. Tangri, Dehradun

Reel Talk, Real Concern

It is sad that secularism is now consistently equated with majority bashing and minority appeasement ("Grief Play", February 12). A case in point is your review of the film Parzania. Despite poignant performances, the film is undoubtedly a Hindu-basher. It is unlikely that your reviewer missed this aspect.

Disha Joshi, on e-mail

We have taken the Mahatma's instructions-see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil-too literally. The Godhra riots are forgotten, as though they were just a bad dream.

Bharatram Gaba, Mumbai

Dubious Assets

One is surprised to see the disclosure of assets by candidates in Punjab at the time of filing their nominations ("Who Isn't A Millionaire Here?, February 12). Even "a bun and tea" was a luxury for them not too long ago, and now they happily flaunt their crorepati status. Why should the business and the salaried classes be the only ones under the tax scanner all the time?

Narayana Swamy, Chennai

Politicians might have made a lot of money, but they do not contribute to the nation's wealth. A majority of our people are poor. If the middle-class become millionaires, the economy will grow.

Mahesh Kumar, Delhi

Don't Appropriate Gandhi

The Satyagraha Centenary celebrations should enthuse the feeling of peace and harmony in the country ("Politics of Satyagraha", February 12). But to politicise the spirit of satyagraha and to reduce Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation, to the status of a mere Congress party leader is unacceptable.

A. Jacob Sahayam, Thiruvananthapuram

Exclusive Exemptions

The multitude of exemptions resulting in huge losses to the exchequer is based on the assumption of static tax rates without any "rationalisation" thereof ("Bye Bye Exemptions", February 12). Both the prime minister and the finance minister emphasise the need to scrap exemptions for the rich. But why does Chidambaram continue to "exempt" his political fraternity from paying tax on the perks and benefits they enjoy?

S.K. Gupta, Delhi

Clean Sweep

If Sonia Gandhi had not 'sacrificed' the prime minister's post that could have been hers, there wouldn't have been any positive public sentiment towards the Congress ("Ascent and Dissent", February 5). Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's clean image has helped the party garner support.

D.B. Chhetry, Guwahati

IN CORUS

It is a matter of pride for India that one of its top business houses has acquired global status and strengthened the image of the country as a growing economic power ("Steel Deal", February 12).

J.S. Acharya, Hyderabad

He might have piloted a fighter plane for a few minutes, but even the sky is no limit for Ratan Tata.

Pandithar Sivakumar Perumal, Pune

The Tata-Corus deal is a mutually beneficial one. Tata's ability to supply low-cost steel for processing by Corus will boost the profitability of the existing Corus units. The biggest beneficiaries are the Corus shareholders.

M.M. Gurbaxani, Bangalore

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

Towards a Free Press

The lifting of press censorship on January 25, 1977, has resulted in catching most members of the press unawares. After 19 months being practically incarcerated with little to do and much to grumble about, the Indian press corps is still blinking at this new-found light. It is fortunate that this new lease of life comes at a moment of high political drama, with the general elections round the corner. Newspaper offices, which had begun to "resemble tombs", are now once again buzzing with activity. And India is, at this point, once again an international issue with foreign journalists pouring in to make a good catch of developing events. "It's a great weight off our heads," said V.K. Narasimhan, editor-in-chief, The Indian Express, "we can now publish the statements of the Opposition and readers' comments freely."

-from Current Events