Towards gender equality

With reference to “A blow to patriarchy” (May 21) the age-old system of associating one’s father’s name as a measure of identity needs reconsideration in these days of gender-equality. Scientifically speaking a mother is the trusted link between her children and the family not requiring DNA test. Apart from single mothers who face this dilemma, every Indian girl has to change her surname to match her husband’s, losing one more link with her own family. There is no logic behind this. It is reassuring that more and more women are retaining their family surname along with their spouse’s. The ideal situation will be when a daughter carries the name of her father or mother with her name after the marriage just as a son does.

Pune

The review of the book 'Automating Inequality' (May 21) is an eye opener for all those connected with implementing data technologies in India. The dangers highlighted in the studies conducted in the US are frightening, for us. Indians are mostly unaware of the pitfalls. With the debate on Aadhaar now in the final stage in the Supreme Court, these aspects need to be highlighted so that a considered view can be taken. Further, the political implications of misuse of data are immense in the Indian context as the profiling can be misused by authorities to swing public opinion. And as all such misuse would be done by machines, no one could be held accountable either. These dangers are far more real and serious than those caused by malfunctioning of EVMs.

Jaipur

The heading of your editorial ‘Karnataka Trailer’ (May 21) is very apt. What we have witnessed during the last week in Delhi/Hyderabad/and Bengaluru was a trailer of what we are going to witness in the next 12 to 18 months. Each and every political party had claimed a political/moral victory after the resignation of Yediurappa of BJP. It is really crazy that a party which secures highest number of seats has to sit in opposition where as a party with the least number of seats gets the post of CM! It is no secret that BJP has antagonised itself with all the parties and every one wants to defeat it. If BJP wants to do well in 2019 it has to reinvent itself and try to control its loose canons and shun its arrogance and anti minority stand.

Kolkata

The recovery of high value NPA of Bhushan Steel to tune of ₹35,000 crore is a silver lining .

PSBs like IOB which disclosed the NPA ab intio were singled out and targeted by critics as well as media, creating almost a run on these banks. With the DFS and RBI stepping in to enforce PCA, it was also rumoured that the banks cannot lend or accept deposits, though this was factually incorrect. PCA was intended to have a close monitoring and commitment by all stake holders to a turnaround plan.

Though all PSBs were making operational profit, the high level of provisions showed the net profits in red.

The provisions are not cash outflows and are held in reserves. With the formation of IBC and the proactive steps taken by bankers and government, the recovery has started. This throws an interesting study. PSBs were painted in poor light for having thrown good money to finance the defunct corporates. But seeing the competition among potential investors, bother domestic and international, there is good value in the assets financed. With a few more accounts in the pipeline facing minor legal hurdles, the recovery and resultant write back of provisions will bring back the PSBs to black.

However, the critics by planting sensational news about PSBs have been successful in driving deposits to mutual funds and insurance products painting a rosy picture on these products.

It is time that the customers realise the designs and repose their confidence on state-run banks, who with their attendant hurdles have been living up to the trust of the customers.

Madurai

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