Faulty model

The article “Better ways to take on corruption” ( Business Line , April 18) highlights that the elected representative needs to be from the electorate. That this basic tenet of democracy is seldom followed in our country is a valuable point.

Second, a very good comparison made on the British and the French following similar systems. It shows clearly how a successful system in one can be failure in another country. Simply copying a model would be disastrous.

There is no doubt that the British system we adopted is a failure.

India is more tuned to the federal system of the US because of the diversity with which it is comparable.

The movement initiated by Anna Hazare is only supplementing the overall effort to make our country corruption free. Any other initiative for the same cause will only enhance the momentum. All support should be extended to Hazare's movement.

Korath V. Mathew

IT economics

The editorial “Economics of IT” ( Business Line , April 18) made some excellent points. A whole economic theory summarised well in three paragraphs.

To summarise what India has to urgently do: Open up markets — labour, goods and services to the world. We must get the best talent, processes, goods and standards from across the world, so as to make Indian brands also competitive.

As of now, local companies are too lethargic and not giving the best products and services to consumers. We must let chains from across the world to set up shop in India without too much bureaucratic interference.

Venkat

Competitive edge

“Economics of IT” was, in essence, a good analysis on how the IT world will plateau at some point while the dog-eat-dog mentality in the struggling West will continue.

However, I disagree on the opening up to western talent when India still has a considerably high unemployment rate. Once we open up to foreign workforce, wage inflation will artificially drive the cost of doing business, raise unemployment as it cuts into corporate profits, further incentivising productivity. However, Indians need to be employed and they need to be better prepared for it too. So, we must be aggressive in imparting good training, moderating cost of education, and making our workforce communicate better. The latter is a serious problem in our competitive edge.

Ney Kou

Grabbing western talent

The author has recommended grabbing western talent as a solution for the impending problems of the Indian IT industry.

This looks to be the only solution, because IT in India industry continues to be dominated by low-cost labour. .

However, the western talent, referred to, belongs mostly to the state sector or public-funded universities and R and D institutions.

Possibly, no free market exists for that type of talent in the west. This is true, not just with regard to the US, but also Japan and the EU.

K. Vijayachandran

e-mail

Good advice

The article “Are intellectuals any good'' ( Business Line , April 20) was interesting with many quotes. Does the author say they are useless to society?

The fact is their advice is not heard by those in power. Do you blame the powers-that-be or the advisors?

L. Rangarajan

e-mail

Picking holes

Though outwardly humorous, the article had an undercurrent of tragic note to it — that the intellectuals are merely finding fault with any new development on the niceties of law, procedure and processes and don't come forward to do anything.

Take the case of Anna Hazare's recent fast and his determination to root out corruption. The response of the intellectual class to the fast and the victory is disappointing, to say the very least.

Chidambaram Kudiarasu

FDI in retail

This refers to the timely article “Missing link in food distribution” ( Business Line , April 20).

India is facing high inflation and the global commodity prices are on the rise.

A significant percentage of fruits and vegetables decay because of lack of infrastructure available in the kirana shops and with the wholesalers.

Also, the kirana owners lack the power to negotiate with the suppliers because of their size.

The Government needs to reconsider relaxing the FDI policy in bringing in multi-branded retail supermarket chains such as WalMart into the country. Political will is needed to lift the ban.

The chains would certainly be able to adapt to the Indian market, and would bring in retail infrastructure that would provide efficiency by minimising wastage. As a result, the consumer will be able to get fresh fruits and vegetables at a low price.

Varad Seshadri

Sunnyvale, US

For the public cause

The article is thought-provoking and close to the truth. Intellectuals rarely take up the cause for the aam aadmi .

They invariably take up cases that suit them and are comfortable with.

After a long time, Indians have to come together to fight the might of the politicians and the bureaucracy.

V. S. Gulia

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