Not much to cheer

The plans to organise the Making of Developed India (MODI) fest to commemorate the three years of the BJP government is nothing but a self-certification (’On turning 3, Centre plans mega ad blitz, Modi branding’, May 23).

The prices of essential commodities continue to rise, the tension on the border is escalating. In spite of having completed three years, the Government has not been able to improve our relations with our neighbours.

We don’t know to what extent the PM’s travels haveyielded any positive results in terms of investment. The demonetisation exercise was a misadventure.

On the positive side, the Government has been able to keep corruption at bay. Unless the Government tightens its belt, the people’s disillusionment will only increase.

V Subramanian

Chennai

Right perspective

This refers to ‘Three cheers for a spunky woman’ by Rasheeda Bhagat (May 23). The article has made an attempt to view the incident in a proper perspective justifying the publicity. The sexual abuse of women has assumed impermissible proportions. It is necessary that a strong message goes not only to the perpetrators of such crimes but even to law-enforcing authorities.

TR Anandan

Coimbatore

We have ceased to be a civilised society when it comes to the treatment of women — their woes start from child abuse, continue as stalking and sexual harassment, and culminate in domestic violence and dowry tortures.

When society turns indifferent to assaults on a woman’s honour, the culprits are viewed with compassion and the judiciary takes 3-4 years to punish even the most brutal rapists in an open and shut case such as that of Nirbhaya. What is the alternative except to teach the culprit a lesson in a manner he can never forget? It is time this woman is recognised as a trail-blazer instead of condemned as guilty of primitive punishment.

YG Chouksey

Pune

The incident is not surprising; there have been many such incidents of so-called religious gurus remorselessly exploiting women. What is appalling here is that the victim’s mother was aware of what was happening but chose to remain silent. We need to wake up and not only think a hundred times before bowing before such gurus but also shed inhibitions and bring all such incidents out in the open.

Bal Govind

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

The China example

This refers to ‘Where will global demand come from?’ by CP Chandrasekhar and Jayati Ghosh (May 23). The slack in domestic production in the US triggers production in other nations, especially China and Germany. To offset the setback in its export-led growth, China recently unveiled its OBOR project. It can revive the global demand apart from leading to wage growth. As far as international trade is concerned, all nations should embrace the comparative-advantage approach.

S Lakshminarayanan

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu

NPA conundrum

It is interesting to see how the RBI is going to resolve the huge NPAs with the special powers entrusted to it to deal with the banks. It has already formulated oversight committees to deal with individual bank boards to solve the problem. But the strategies remain to be seen. The same formula cannot be applied to deal with all NPAs .

However, it must be ensured that the write-off should not be on the principal but only on the interest; portion that too penal interest charged may be waived in order to see that banks don’t suffer losses. Further, these proposals have be be acceptable to the respective boards and borrowers. Then again, what about future accrual of NPAs? .

TSN Rao

Bheemavaram, Andhra Pradesh

Erratum

With reference to the story titled ‘HCC joint venture bags ₹673-crore contract for dam project in Rajasthan’, HSEPL stands for Hoisto Structurals & Equipment Pvt Ltd, Bhopal, and not HPCL Shapoorji Energy Pvt Ltd as mentioned in the story. The error is regretted.

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