No option

With reference to the editorial, “The hope from asset sales” (July 30), one of the major reasons for the alarming situation now is that most of the corporate sector has lost its pricing power due to keen competition and slowdown. Some companies expanded far beyond their financial capability. Besides, many items are imported at knocked down prices which indigenous manufacturers are not able to offer. The net surplus available at year end is so low (or nil) that they are not able to meet the interest commitment. This has resulted in a number of financial reconstruction cases; there are very few successful ones. There is no option but distress sale of assets.

VN Radhakrishnan

Online

Let’s not pretend

The writer of the article, “Power outages, and a ray of hope” (Manu Puri, July 29), claims that the debate over solar power’s technical feasibility, financial viability and the reliability of the devices at the current level of technological development has been settled. In truth, the significant issues with solar power, the challenges of the grid, and its uneconomical status are well known. To pretend otherwise is misleading.

Krishna

Online

Solar power must be pushed vigorously by the Government to all villages in India, along with solar pumps to draw water and for irrigation. Rooftop panels in towns and cities and in the industrial sector will help meet our requirements and help SEBs.

A Ramanathan

Online

We can tap solar energy, not only in Delhi, but all over India. We should encourage households, eateries and others to do this. Sunlight is available at least for 11 months in India. A lot of industrial activity, service activities and employment opportunities will be generated if this industry develops. We must wake this giant and tap its potential with appropriate, corruption-free, PPP planning.

Srinivas Narayanan

Online

Unfortunate practices

Mutilating what nature has provided us with is unfortunate (“Ban this barbarous practice” by Rasheeda Bhagat, July 29). When men were away fighting the Crusades, women in England were forced to wear chastity belts. Circumcision for men was originally introduced due to water shortage and infection due to lack of hygiene. Only matriarchal societies escaped.

Appan Varma

Online

God has given women and men their sexuality. If a section of Indian society practices female genital mutilation, it has to be condemned. Let the progressive leaders of society come forward and rebel against the practice.

R Subramonian

Online

What is happiness

According to a San Francisco State University study, buying products such as books, sporting goods and video games can enhance one’s happiness.

Happiness is a state of mind and it need not come necessarily with the possession of things. It may come even without them. Also, what gives happiness to one may not give the same to another. Toquote a saying: “The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one has to do.”

S Ramakrishnasayee

Ranipet, Tamil Nadu

Create jobs

With reference to the article, “Setting the target right” by A Rangachari (July 28), at present everything revolves around growth; it is believed that growth can keep the fiscal deficit down. The Government is taking many precautions with taxes so that sentiments are not hurt.

The creation of employment opportunities is important to keep down expenditure. As it has not happened for the last two decades, the majority have remained poor and have low purchasing power. In order to provide succour to them, the Government cannot be firm on the policy of cash transfer as it may affect many genuine beneficiaries. It is very strange that the Government is sucking from public sector units in the form of dividends or taxing them when funds are needed for expenditure.

RK Arya

Faridabad, Haryana

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