As of now, there is no sign of a let-up in Israel’s blistering attack on Gaza. In fact, Israel is intensifying the use of military force against the civilian population in the name of fighting Hamas. This is nothing short of a killing spree as is evident from the mounting death toll on a daily basis.

The world remains a mute spectator, doing nothing to stop the Israeli forces. This indifference is inexplicable. . The ratio of Palestinian casualties to Israel’s in the two-week conflict stands at 100:1.

The exodus of thousands of Palestinian families from war-torn Gaza represents a humanitarian catastrophe of enormous proportions. Instead of trying to shunt the spiralling conflict onto a diplomatic track, the West acquiesces to Israel’s bombardment by land, sea and air despite its outward neutrality. Even India is hesitant to condemn the Israeli attacks. The international community must intervene actively to halt further escalation of the conflict and end the bloodshed.

G David Milton

Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Innovation hurdles

This refers to the report “India slips 10 places in innovation rankings; worst among Brics nations” (July 22). India’s poor standing in terms of innovation are caused by an education system that discourages the questioning attitude; low pay and incentives for scientific occupations; miniscule budget for research and development; late and often no recognition for creative achievements; bureaucratic procedures in government-run research organisations; and exodus of creative talent to more lucrative and rewarding jobs.

YG Chouksey

Pune

Green signal for private players

This refers to “Clear the track for private players” by Gautam Shahi (July 21). To fund modernisation of the Railways, private players must be allowed to participate. Against this backdrop, the PPP route looks promising. Though the first such project on this model for the Delhi airport metro line was a failure, this cannot be the reason for not implementing PPP in Railways. .

Bal Govind

Noida

The writer has perhaps not taken into consideration the over 30,000 km of track by doubling and even trebling of certain key sections which has enabled the Railways to carry additional traffic. Moreover, there is no ban on carrying coal, iron ore, coke and other minerals in container trains and private players are most welcome to do so, except that they would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible. Such commodities need an open wagon, often with bottom discharge facilities.

Containers by their very nature are meant to carry high value items, such as ‘white’ goods for plant-to-stores/depot delivery in a safe and fast manner, using multi modal transport.

RC Acharya

Kolkata

Unfair advantage

The Finance Bill has addressed the concerns of foreign portfolio investors by proposing to treat their income from transaction in securities as capital gains. But why has the same treatment not been extended for all transactions in securities by resident individuals and companies? There is no clarity in tax treatment of income from transaction in securities when it comes to resident Indians and companies. They are still at the mercy of assessing officers, leading to a waste of valuable time and money in unnecessary litigation. The Government should bring residents on par with FPIs as far as tax issues are concerned.

Falguni Dutta

Kolkata

Up for grabs?

Kudos for taking up the issue of payments banks in your editorial ‘Niche banking’ (July 21). Payments banks as a business model are more attractive than small banks, another new category announced by the RBI. But why did you leave out small banks altogether? Or will there be another edit on it?

The RBI faulted in announcing the two new categories together. There would be virtually no takers for small banks since similar players (read regional rural banks, co-operative banks, local area banks) have burnt their fingers.

KV Rao

Bangalore

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