Whenever nature’s fury hits our shores and shakes our land, it is heartening to note that the army plays a major role in saving the lives of citizens. We can never repay our debts to our soldiers, who have evacuated nearly 23,500 people in Jammu and Kashmir.
We cannot all become soldiers, but all of us can have discipline and a sense of duty towards our nation by learning a lesson or two from them.
For the first time we have seen leaders from opposing political parties appreciating the steps taken by the Government in rushing aid and forces to the victims. It shows the commitment of our soldiers and a sense of patriotism whenever they are called to play their part. Perhaps all school children should be trained by the army for five years to inculcate discipline, patriotism and provide a helping hand during times of crisis, with a sense of pride and a spirit of nationalism.
Hyderabad
Energetic solutions
This refers to the editorial “A new engagement” (September 9). The energy crisis has existed in India for decades and matters will become worse in the future as the demand for energy outpaces its supply. This unequal state can be equated with the help of ‘renewable-energy’ such as solar power, which is said to be clean energy.
Developed countries extend their assistance to India — in terms of supplying uranium and technology — to make it a strategic partner and a nuclear power nation. That’s why the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 2008 relaxed its rules and gave ‘India-specific exemptions’ for facilitating nuclear trade with India (a non-signatory of the NNPT.
Energy is important, but it should not be at the cost of people’s welfare and national sovereignty. India should not yield to the pressure of developed nations. If nuclear power occupies a big portion of India’s energy mix, our nation is destined to depend on the NSG. We must harness our indigenous, renewable resources.
S Lakshminarayanan
Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu
Commuting discomfort
The news item “Railways to recruit 76,000 personnel” (September 9) made for a fascinating read. There had been reports that there was a severe shortage of staff even in vital departments. Cost-cutting had led to posts lying vacant, forcing the available staff to discharge additional duties.
The slew of measures that have been announced augurs well for the Railways and the commuters. Eliminating 176 unmanned level crossings and closing 56 manned level crossings and constructing under-bridges and over-bridges is a good way for averting accidents. Fixing October 2 for a major cleanliness drive is a welcome step.
HP Murali
Bangalore
RBI talent hunt
This refers to the report, “Reserve Bank to pick talent via UPSC-like test” by G Naga Sridhar (September 9). In the present scenario, the move to go for common-cadre of officers in the RBI and making the recruitment process more broad-based and professional is a step in the right direction.
But the hurry with which the RBI top management is trying to implement these measures may make its path slippery. One option to minimise damage could be to allow the existing staff (within a certain age limit and having the needed qualification) to migrate to the new cadre after testing their ‘fitness’ through an appropriate evaluation. Better still would be to create a financial sector service at the national level, on the pattern of the IAS and Tata Administrative Service which could be common for financial sector regulatory organisations and public sector banks. Such a service should first absorb the existing talent within the organisations and go for further recruitment after two or three years.
MG Warrier
Mumbai
Dreadful deluge
The stunning visuals from the inundated parts of Jammu and Kashmir give us glimpses of the deluge of almost Biblical proportions and the heroic efforts made to rescue the marooned people. Tragically, over 200 persons have lost their lives. In this day and age when technology is so advanced such a heavy casualty is inexcusable, more so when this region’s proneness to floods due to its proximity to the Himalayas is well known. Why the victims were not evacuated in time must be answered by the authorities. The non-availability or the inadequacy of the available systems to predict the possibility of natural disasters and the unpreparedness to carry out emergency evacuation reflect poorly on the level of our ‘development’.
Clearly, the lack of resources coupled with the lack of appreciation of the value of life increase human vulnerability to natural disasters. In a really developed country in a similar situation the casualty figure would have been far less. It is worth studying whether this flood, the worst in living memory, was an isolated phenomenon or was triggered by ‘climate change’ due to human interference in the eco-system. It is a matter of great sadness that the people living in a topographical marvel as Jammu and Kashmir seem to be destined to live with tragedies. It is some consolation that people have set aside their differences and come together to mitigate the suffering.
G David Milton
Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
Ease out the politician
This refers to the article “Through the lens of Mewat, darkly” by Preeti Mann (September 9). The article clearly explains the real world of politics and elections in this country. This is the right time to reform our delivery mechanism in such a way that the local politician is left out of the process of delivering services to the needy. For this mechanism we need the adhaar card and the identification of the poor through these cards.
Let us exclude those who own homes or live in a home which has a concrete roof, let’s keep it that simple to identify our needy. Then using these cards let us start direct cash transfers to their bank accounts for old age pension, kerosene subsidy, cooking gas subsidy, fertiliser subsidy, free pds rice and wheat subsidies. Let us close down our ration shops. By this mechanism we can virtually delink the local politician. This way the population cannot be controlled by these thugs. Let’s give democracy a chance.
CR Arun
Empower women
“The literacy challenge” by R Srinivasan (September 9) should have helped a good number of readers to learn of the President’s views on our educational standards and literacy level. It is appalling to hear that India is ranked 78th in universal primary education and further down in terms of the quality of primary as well as higher education. Educating women and educated women are musts for the progress and advancement of families and society. Experience and feedback prove that mothers are far more concerned than fathers about the upbringing of children. It is high time the gender gap in literacy is bridged.
CG Kuriakose
Kothamangalam, Kerala
Fight for might
The fight for the chief minister’s post has begun in Maharashtra between the Shiv Sena and the BJP even before the election dates have been announced. The top job should go to the party in the alliance with the highest number of seats. The issue of seats being shared 50:50 arises only when the two parties get an equal number of seats. Such a possibility is rare. The Sena-BJP combine should concentrate on wresting power from the Congress-NCP alliance. Who will be chief minister should be decided after the election results.
KV Seetharamaiah
Hassan, Karnataka
Erratum
With reference to the article, “Turning tide: Future Generali life insurance posts Q1 profit for first time in 7 years” (September 6), the company has issued a clarification that the profit figures for quarter ended stood at ₹6.82 crore and not ₹68,211 (as wrongly mentioned). The error is regretted.