This is with reference to ‘India can rule world lifestyle market’ by Pritam Banerjee (November 29). The ‘Make in India’ initiative should encourage skilled workers throughout the country who are slowly falling prey to cheap bulk foreign products being pumped into Indian markets. Small-scale and cottage industries engaged in traditional handicrafts should be encouraged.

One way is to boost tourism. Also, when big organisations hold celebrations, they should purchase these items in bulk. India is popular for its handicrafts and artisans, and they should be fully encouraged not only by the Government but also the people.

Veena Shenoy

Thane, Maharashtra

Funding the elections

This is with reference to ‘It’s time to make poll funding transparent’ by NV Krishnakumar (November 29). The crackdown on black money by means of demonetisation has to be backed by further strikes on unaccounted properties and also on the root cause for corruption. Our political system encourages corrupt practices by rewarding culprits. The enormous expenditure in elections and their funding of through ill-gotten money is a curse on the country. There is also a deeply entrenched system of crony capitalism.

Two things can be done to achieve transparency in poll funding: have government fund elections and hold elections simultaneously for the Centre and the State legislatures. Political parties must cooperate by accounting for all their transactions. Parties must come under RTI. With these reforms, corruption will definitely decrease.

Rahul J Gautam

Bengaluru

We’re so negative

Modi’s appeal to BJP MPs and MLAs to reveal their financial transactions after demonetisation is a good move. Now, it is unfortunate that for every constructive effort, there are lots of negative comments and protests. Also, such things get more of the limelight than the positive results that emerge. It is painful to witness the deterioration of public ethics, with political elements going so far as to pledge to remove a constructive leader. It is amazing that the media gives so much importance to negative elements.

VS Ganeshan

Bengaluru

The torture continues

The Government’s announcement that people should pay 50 per cent tax on unaccounted deposits, and 85 per cent if they are caught with unaccounted money doesn’t mean anything to 90 per cent of the people who just about manage to make ends meet and do not have anything to save. The majority of the people are in debt. The country is waging a war against black money least knowing the quantum of black money to be unearthed, and in the process the Government is making honest and gullible people suffer. There is no end to the torture.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Ranipet, Tamil Nadu

Truly media friendly

The death of RP Puri, owner of Central News Agency in Connaught Place, Delhi, has created a vacuum for lovers of the print media. He left no stone unturned to make books, newspapers, and magazines easily available at any time to readers. The shop made available practically every known newspaper and magazine. And Puri allowed readers to read and/or scan any material, Indian or foreign. This calls for a big heart. He will be remembered forever.

Mahesh Kapasi

New Delhi

Chequered legacy

Fidel Castro bravely stood up for many Third World countries but he failed to take a leaf out of the progressive moves made by regimes of small countries such as Taiwan which too emerged from the shadows of imperialist rule. It was only after 2010 that he advised his successor Raul Castro to introduce some liberalisation in the Cuban economy, sensing belatedly the long-term failure of the communist model. As much as his regime was characterised by his magnanimous outreach to the Third World, it will also be infamous for his narrow-mindedness regarding economic liberalisation and capitalism .

Aravind Sridhar

Bengaluru

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