Though the cyclone Hud Hud caused widespread destruction to property, the number of casualties were limited. Both the Central and State governments deserve credit for carrying out such a massive evacuation drive. We should not forget that India’s huge leaps in science and technology paved the way for this. Our satellites give us information in advance about many natural calamities.

Those who oppose funding science and technology by claiming that it is a waste for a country like India, which has so many poor people, must realise the gains for the nation are invaluable. But one area we can certainly handle better is predicting flood devastation.

Kiran Jose

Kottayam

In poor taste

Indian child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistani girl child educator campaigner Malala Yousafzai have been rightly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

However, the observation of the Nobel Committee that a Hindu and a Muslim of Indian and Pakistani origins respectively have shared the Peace Nobel was not in good spirit. Where was the need to bring in religion and nationalism in such a prestigious international award? They deserved the coveted award, irrespective of their country of origin and faith.

BN Bharath

Bangalore

Back and forth

This is with respect to two contradictory views put forward in the ‘Think’ section (October 13) titled “Right Call” and “The case of the dog that didn’t bark”. I am of the view that taxation rules have to be followed. The Government can change rules if it finds a loophole has been exploited, but it cannot change the rule retrospectively. MNCs which talk about governance and fair play also have to maximise their shareholders’ wealth and grow their businesses; they will be on the look out for loopholes. Apple is facing charges of tax evasion/tax engineering by having its domicile in Ireland. The US is upset about unpatriotic companies and bringing in laws to curb tax inversions.

In a free market global economy, corporations will tend to move to shores that benefit them. The governments have to balance their requirements. Tax revenue from the foreign company or investment/employment benefits generated by that company? In the long run, the latter is better.

Sridhar Narasimhan

E-mail

Getting dirty online

With reference to the article, “Flip side to online retail (October 11)”, Indian customers are more accustomed to physical transactions over virtual ones, owing to the touch-and-feel factor in brick and mortar business.

Hence, customer relationship management and customer loyalty cannot be expected in e-commerce. Customisation, product catalogue and shopping cart are the attractive features of e-commerce.

Even though security is beefed up in e-payment, it still remains a nightmare among customers, given the threat of cybercrime.

M Vignesh

Madurai

Retrograde move

The Finance Ministry's stricture to state-owned banks and insurance companies not to dole out Diwali gifts this year is nothing short of retrograde. The practice of giving gifts on festive occasions has been imbibed in our culture and it is a wonderful way “to win friends and influence people.” The instructions to do away with publishing diaries and calendars and not hand out mementoes is also a dampener. It can only help the private sector — that woos its clients with exorbitant gifts — steal a march over the PSUs and grab a bigger chunk of the business pie.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bangalore

Errata

b In the editorial “Right call” (October 13), the word “not” was inadvertently edited out in the line “It is also not disputable that all such deals need to be valued at arm’s length — as if undertaken between unrelated parties.”

b In the article “In the game of brick and mouse” ( Cat.a.lyst , October 10), the designation of Ashish Shah should have read COO & Founder, Pepperfry.com, and not as published.

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