India’s changemakers

This is with reference to the editorial “India’s changemakers” (March 18) Azim Premji is not only a great philanthropist but also a great human being. His views on education are excellent and should be accepted and implemented by the government. If the other industrialists emulate Premji and do a bit for the country we will have a better society to live. The government should recognise Premji’s work and involve him in improving educational facilities for the under privileged.

Also if implemented in its right spirit CSR can work wonders in India. To implement CSR , the company must choose a leader who not only has expertise (not necessarily academic) but has a sincere feeling for the deprived classes of the society. Secondly select NGOs can also guide company boards in directing CSR their initiatives. Thirdly employees with proven track record of integrity must be involved in the CSR activities of the company. They should not only ensure end use of funds but also proper monitoring of funds meant for CSR. Fourthly, employees may also be allowed to take a sabbatical to engage in CSR activities.

Thane

With reference to “RBI to hold pre-policy meet with trade bodies, rating agencies on Mar 26” ( March 18), RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das’s move to hold discussions on March 26 with the representatives of trade bodies, credit rating agencies as also, for the first time, with the representatives of All India Bank Depositors' Association on interest rate and steps to boost economic activities is welcome.

But despite RBI cutting rates, banks have failed to pass on the benefits of the rate cut. It’s time the government stepped in and reined in the errant PSU banks.

New Delhi

Manohar Parrikar was the most admired and respected politician in the political fraternity on account of his image as Mr. Clean and efficient minister which is very rare. Parrikar was an unconventional politician and considered as the architect of Modern Goa having led the State for four terms. His tenure as the Defence minister was equally eventful. His simple style of functioning appealed to the common masses and inspired them. His untimely demise will certainly lead a political vacuum and his impeccable service to the nation will be remembered for a long time to come. The country in general and BJP in particular has lost one of the finest personalities and may his soul rest in eternal peace.

Nagpur

White supremacism and Islamophobia are a deadly combination and New Zealand — the last place where one would have expected the kind of mass shootings — became the stage for demonstrating how deadly it could get. Australian-born Brenton Harrison Tarrant who carried out the shootings driven by pathological racial prejudice and religious intolerance met the ‘Hello, brother’ salutation from a worshipper with three bullets. In the court the remorseless killer had a self-satisfied smirk on his face. He had posted a ‘manifesto’ filled with vitriolic rhetoric and rantings before the attacks highlighting how these days hate is spread online — a serious challenge the world does not quite know how to face. The cold-blooded shootings in Christchurch during Friday prayers, live-streamed online to amplify the terror cannot be seen in isolation from the demonisation of Muslims in the Western world. It was comforting to see at the site in Christchurch where homage was paid to the victims placards with the words,

‘This is not what New Zealand is’. New Zealand — a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural country — has a population of nearly 50 million, of which 1 per cent are Muslims. It is to be hoped that the Kiwis will bounce back from the calamity and re-affirm their commitment to human rights, pluralism and freedom of religion.

Maruthancode, (TN)

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