Bridging gaps

This refers to the interview “Education will be bigger than search: Google” (August 12). Google’s idea to provide a platform for online education and bridge the gap is indeed an amazing idea. It will be a blessing for students living in semi-urban or rural areas, if it does reach the latter.

The biggest issue I foresee in this context would be Internet penetration and the availability of power in those far-fetched areas. In the absence of these, online education will remain confined to urban areas only, where students already have access to good education.

Bal Govind

Noida

Double blow

This refers to “Thambidurai set to be Deputy Speaker” (August 13). With the Deputy Speaker’s post going to the AIADMK, the Congress, with 44 seats in its kitty, missed the bus this time also. Close on the heels of the Speaker not acceding to the demands of the Congress to select a Leader of Opposition, failing to get the Deputy Speaker’s post is a twin blow.

Perhaps this turn of events pushed the Congress to disrupt the legislative proceedings even with its truncated numbers. It’s time the Congress party leaders realised the importance of Parliament session by participating fully and fairly in discussions, thereby doing justice to the tax payers’ money.

HP Murali

Bangalore

Accommodate the poor

This refers to the editorial “DBT alternative” (August 12). We have one of the worst inequality levels in wealth and income in the whole world. The poor need to be accommodated by the Government by way of subsidies and by providing health care and education. We cannot afford to ignore this section of people. Studies have shown that the economies of those countries that help the poor grow faster than the others. The cost of not helping the deprived is much more than what we think, in terms of lost human potential and productivity and overall economic growth.

We need to bring back wealth tax. Overall, income gains in the economy must be clearly studied and the redistribution mechanism tweaked to enable us to grow. To ignore the poor is to ignore growth and basic economics; let’s not take that route.

CR Arun

Email

Parliament manners

The fight between MPs of the Trinamool and Telugu Desam parties for a particular room in Parliament building shows them in poor light. They seem to have forgotten their basic duty of behaving in a dignified way, not only inside Parliament, but outside too. The President’s advice to the MPs to behave and maintain dignity could not have come at a better time. Hope better sense will prevail. It is time their leaders, Mamata Banerejee and Chandrababu Naidu pull up their members and settle the issue amicably in the interest of their parties.

VS Ganeshan

Bangalore

Brand Amma, an example

Baby Kit is the latest addition to Amma brand freebies and welfare schemes in Tamil Nadu. These measures which cost the Government only a few crores of rupees need to be appreciated as they directly benefit the poor. As a matter of fact, Amma canteens have drawn the attention of many, and some international organisations are actually planning to visit the State to understand its working. Some States are planning to emulate this. It will be no wonder if, slowly, all the States start such welfare schemes to earn the goodwill of the people.

VS Ganeshan

Bangalore

A sad loss

The demise of Oscar-winning actor and renowned comedian, Robin Williams, has saddened millions of fans all over the world. Best known for his roles in Goodwill Hunting , Mrs Doubtfire and Good Morning Vietnam , Williams’ frenetic and free-wheeling comedy delighted generations of movie-goers. It is unfortunate that he struggled with alcohol and cocaine and finally fell prey to depression. The world will miss his humour!

NJ Ravi Chander

Bangalore

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