It’s ironic that while we complain of athletes not winning medals, we don’t have playgrounds for children. They are forced to stay indoors, glued to their computers. Playing is the best break from learning and helps keep children healthy. Children learn important life lessons — to be good losers, not let success go to their heads nor failure their hearts, leadership and team-building skills. If we truly love our children we must provide more playgrounds and not just make them watch sports on TV or play games on smartphones.

TS Karthik

Chennai

Improve delivery

This is with reference to the report, ‘I-Day Message: Reform, Perform and Transform’ (August 16). The success of projects depends on how best they are prepared, appraised and monitored to prevent their becoming NPAs. Often, financiers go by impressive presentations. GST cannot bring manna from heaven; its success depends on the joint efforts of institutional and government networks. GST is a test for India because it is meant to merge unorganised trade with the organised sector. This is a truly major infrastructure project. The PM highlighted that smallish incremental process reforms added speed to delivery of services on several fronts; in them lies true progress for India. The single most important reform required is better delivery mechanism through the digital network.

KU Mada

Mumbai

Care for the elderly

Countries such as Japan that have an ageing population will require specialised geriatric care that India could potentially fulfil. It will call for cultural sensitisation and foresight on the part of government to extend a helping hand. More importantly, in our country, the growing demand for a compassionate and responsive system to the needs of the vulnerable, notably the mentally ill, old and orphans, is acute. We cannot leave these needs to be satisfied merely by private participation. A public policy that inspires confidence and works effectively to address the needy segment of our population is needed. Preparing a well-trained workforce to meet these challenges has to be an ongoing process. This can also provide a massive boost to employment.

Anand Srinivasan

Bengaluru

Copy that

This refers to ‘There are no miracles in economics’ by Tyler Cowen (August 16). The writer has correctly suggested that Denmark’s economic growth has been boring. But if we introspect we realise that their formula is way better than probably that of their Asian counterparts such as China or Japan. It is better than having almost double digit growth for a decade and then literally catching up for breath during an economic slowdown or recession. Any slowdown has its own cascading effect and makes it difficult to bring the economy on track. India can take a leaf out of Denmark’s experiences.

Bal Govind

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

No question of a ceiling

This refers to ‘All you wanted to know about Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2016’ by Rajalakshmi Nirmal (Slate, August 16). While we can appreciate efforts to minimise accidents, we should not approve the ceiling of ₹10 lakh from insurance companies in cases of death. There cannot be an arbitrary ceiling for such compensation.

S Kalyanasundaram

Email

Fortune favours the brave

Congratulations to Jayanthi of Senthamangalam in Namakkal district who received the Kalpana Chawla award from Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. She is an operator in the electric crematorium. It is creditable that the government has recognised her courage in first cremating orthodoxy and traditional practices.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Ranipet, Tamil Nadu

Erratum

With reference to a snippet published in ‘Things to watch out for today’ (August 16), PIB has clarified that the last date for submission of suggestions relating to the New Education Policy has been extended to September 15, 2016.

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