Handle the heat

With reference to “Asking too much” by Mohan R Lavi (September15), promoters have a tendency to make well-known persons independent directors. Many of them only add ornamental value to the board. An independent director who acts with due diligence adds value and protects the interests of shareholders. What is good for the private sector should be good for the public sector also as far as independent directors are concerned.

The new code of conduct for independent directors will not be bothersome for those who fit the bill. The saying goes “If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” If anyone accepts the nomination to be an independent director, he is legally and morally bound to show streaks of independence in times of need and always do justice to the post.

CG Kuriakose

Kothamangalam, Kerala

Well-made film

A clean family film like Mary Kom must be encouraged. Also, sport other than cricket in India must be boosted. This film is is a must for all good cinema lovers. The allegation by some that Priyanka Chopra does not fit the bill due to her looks is baseless and absurd. Remember Bollywood is a commercial venture and such minor points must be ignored. Sadly, Manipuri citizens will not be able to see it on the big screen as militants have banned the screening of Hindi films in Manipur. The Government must resolve this matter. Mahesh Kumar

New Delhi

Old is gold

The editorial “Yes, old can be gold” (September 15) made for good reading. Organisations benefit from experienced leaders who would have attained superannuation. Retirement should be left to the executives as ageing is a natural phenomenon and they can work as long as they can.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Ranipet, Tamil Nadu

It is a good suggestion that top positions in companies should have a higher or no age limit for retirement. However, companies should back it with a well-conceived succession plan so that they have sufficient bench strength for key and top jobs in the event of such positions suddenly falling vacant. Also, there should be some check so that the lure of continuing in the position does not come in the way of grooming high-potential successors.

The adverse effect on the morale and motivation of employees should also be reckoned with when long tenures of top functionaries cut in on promotions down the chain. There should be a proviso that there will be extension of service only if shareholders are satisfied that a successor could not be found.

YG Chouksey

Pune

Stop this bombardment

In my native town of Marthandam in Kanyakumari district on the otherwise joyous occasions of Christmas, New Year and Easter earth-shaking crackers are exploded in the church premises despite fervent pleas to spare us from the ‘bombardment’. I summoned the courage and went to lodge my complaint with the pastor and deacons. But my complaint was met with the accusation of jealousy, miserliness and lack of aesthetics to enjoy the fireworks.

In Alappuzha where we now stay adjacent to a church it is worse. For Thirunal and Perunal, days with some association with saints and anniversaries, , crackers of far greater ferocity are exploded. Nowhere in the Bible is it mentioned that you should explode crackers. This ear-splitting exercise appears to be a demonstration of the congregation’s might and money power without the realisation that it affects babies, lactating mothers, pregnant women, the ailing, especially heart patients, and the old.

The money spent on polluting the environment and causing damage to the health of fellow human beings could have been better spent on meeting the needs of the needy. What is happening in Kanyakumari and Alappuzha must be happening elsewhere in the country too despite restrictions on noise pollution. A nationwide campaign must be started to create awareness to put an end to explosions at places of worship and redeem them as serene places for communion with God.

G David Milton

Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

Dependency issues

This refers to “Asking too much” by Mohan R Lavi (September 15). The Satyam case is a good example of the role that should have been played by independent directors. The cash in Satyam’s books were never been questioned by these directors who were sitting on the board. Yes, it is the investors who should be blamed for the lack of questioning of the management regarding the cash on the books, but then what is the role of any independent director in the board of these companies? The share holders should ask for a clear-cut definition of the roles and the responsibilities of all the board members. They should ask the board to be more transparent and more willing to share any information with even the retail investor. And the government should make the board accountable for its functioning.

CR Arun

Email

China can mean business

This refers to the report “Modi’s bonding with Japan will spur Chinese interest in India” (September 15). It seems various countries are tripping over each other to be in India’s good books after Narendra Modi assumed office at Delhi. After Japan’s commitment to invest in India’s smart cities and Australia’s commitment over uranium supply for nuclear power, it is the turn of the big fish of Asia, China. It has agreed to open its purse for India. China, which has transformed it’s infrastructure in the past 15 years, can definitely contribute to our country’s demand for infrastructure in various spaces such as roads, bridges, railways and ports.

Bal Govind

Noida

Destroy them

Close on the heels of the beheading of a two American journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff, the execution of a British aid worker in similar fashion by the dreaded Islamic State (ISIS) extremists is the last straw. The manner in which the videos confirming the executions have been released is in bad taste and has only served to fuel more anger. The ISIS has also put out dozens of other videos showing the beheading of Kurdish and Lebanese soldiers and the mass shooting of  captured Syrian soldiers. It is time that the  international community got its act together in a hurry and did everything in their power to “degrade and destroy” the Islamic State militants.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bangalore

Singh is at fault

This is with reference to the report “Former CAG’s charges against Manmohan Singh spark controversy” (September 13). The meek and weak Singh is a past master in the art of concealing and defending corruption and the corrupt. Though many scams occurred during his tenures as Finance Minister and Prime Minister, he attributes everything to ‘system failures’ or ‘systemic failures’; no one is responsible; every minister is innocent but the nation and the public are looted. Singh yielded to vested interests who looted the nation’s resources away. The PM is an executive, not an advisor. He should have acted. He is responsible.

S Raghunatha Prabhu

Alappuzha, Kerala

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