A postman attached to Pogalur post office in Coimbatore district with 30 years of service failed to deliver thousands of postal articles. He was suspended pending enquiry. This is perhaps unprecedented in the annals of India Post. By not delivering letters to addressees, the postman has done incalculable damage. It is ironical that at the fag end of his career, instead of happily retiring from the humdrum of duty, he has to suffer the ignominy of suspension for dereliction of duties.

HP Murali

Bengaluru

Give it time

The renowned industrialist and the chairman of the Bharti group of industries Sunil Mittal is right when he tells CCI members that Narendra Modi has the right approach for industrial growth. CCI members criticise Modi’s approach unnecessarily. If not a single industry can be established and run swiftly within just a few months or years, how is it possible for Modi to proceed further rapidly when he has to clear the old mess of nearly six decades?

Hansraj Bhat

Mumbai

Hope for Sharmila

The decision to delete section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that criminalises the act of suicide has lent an interesting dimension to the issue. That 18 States and four Union Territories backed the move speaks for its pragmatism. The move should offer a ray of hope to the family of Manipur’s ‘Iron Lady’ Irom Sharmila, who has been on a fast-unto-death for 14 years demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Manipur.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bengaluru

Food for thought

The editorial “Nurturing agriculture” (December 11) was thought-provoking. As a first step the government should consider the procurement of agricultural products of all varieties, not foodgrain alone, at prices satisfactory to farmers to enable them to proceed with further operations. The impact on the export of certain items is likely to affect the economy due to a steep fall in foreign exchange and producers facing heavy losses. The RBI should take note of the developing situation so that appropriate changes in the monetary policy can be thought of. The government should study its impact on people’s lives so that any unwelcome situation may be averted.

TR Anandan

Coimbatore

Good news

This is with reference to ‘Our untapped trade potential with Russia’ by Sidharth Birla (December 11). The good news is that India and Russia have already signed agreements to encourage cooperation in information technology, nuclear energy and pharmaceuticals. The decision of the two nations to share information and intelligence in matters of tackling terrorism is a step in the right direction. The liberalisation of visa regimes and the decision to double bilateral trade are good news.

P Senthil Saravana Durai

Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu

Give them a break

This is with reference to ‘Too crude a policy’ by A Srinivas. We need to distinguish between users like the Railways and State transport organisations, and others. Weaker sections should be given some sort of rebate in excise duties. This will ensure that fuel prices are kept in check and benefits to be passed on the benefit of lower prices to passengers and encourage the use of public transport. This will also segregate diesel used for public transport by the Railways and other government sponsored bus services, and other users (taxis, power generators and so on).

MM Gurbaxani

Bengaluru

Erratum

With reference to ‘HDFC ups stake in Apollo Hospitals’ (December 11), Apollo Hospitals has denied that HDFC has invoked any shares pledged with it. The disclosure to stock exchanges on December 10 related to an additional pledge of 3,50,000 shares by the promoter group. The total shares pledged by the promoter group with HDFC are 70,50,000. These shares continue to be owned by the promoters and do not represent a stake held by HDFC in Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. The error is regretted.

GDP by default

The Congress must be happy that the BJP is following the economic syllabus it had laid out under its tenure and the BJP, that the Congress is meticulously sticking to its demonstrative parliamentary practices while in the opposition. The BJP would be happier if protests inside the Houses are voiced in Sanskrit. Meanwhile private enterprise is braving ahead creating whatever GDP it can, by default.

R Narayanan

Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

Dis-armed by the services?

It’s sad that there is a combined shortage of 9,845 officers in the three services of the Indian armed forces. It seems a career in the armed forces has lost its charm. Today’s generation prefers more glamorous jobs and are fired by the dream of three Ps — power, prestige and perks. The defence services demand risk-taking and a disciplined personality type. Such personality types are not easily available as military training is not compulsory in India. If young people get military training, they will develop good qualities, strong character and leadership skills. It will also make them physically, mentally and emotionally tough, which will help them face any adversity/challenge bravely. They will also constitute a reserve army and in times of need can be pressed into service.

TS Karthik

Chennai

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