Only half picture

Refer to ‘We’re stronger post scrapping of Article 370: PM’ (October 15); elections are around the corner and statements about the ‘success of Art 370’ has occupied centre stage. Why only one aspect of the story is being talked about? Why isn’t Modi discussing ways to uplift the economy? Why is the failure of demonetisation not discussed? Why has not a single leader come forward to answer why the World Bank has cut India’s growth forecast to 6%? Talking about just one side of the story is only misleading the citizens of the country. 

Surbhi Attreya, Meerut 

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Be wary of China 

Reference to ‘Four Cs of Chennai summit’ (October 15); China’s policy towards India has been to not resolve pending issues like border dispute but keep us engaged because of its nexus with Pakistan. Though Xi talks of a 100-year plan for Sino-Indian cooperation, nowhere is this support visible, when it comes to compelling Pakistan to mend its ways on terrorism. China still keeps probing on borders to find our vulnerability, if any. Under the circumstances, we cannot take China’s pleasing utterances on face value till it proves its credibility. We should be prepared for any eventuality and tread cautiously while keeping our interest in mind. 

Col Sajjan Kundu (retd), Hisar 

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Dissent crucial 

Apropos ‘Amend sedition law to check its misuse’ (October 15), dissent is a significant and inseparable part of freedom. Restrictions on speech and free thought are the most dangerous of all subversions. Deeds and dissent, like seeds, take their own time to fructify. We had experienced it in our long fight for freedom from the British yoke. The Bihar Government was awakened from its slumber after the wrong grilling of eminent intellectuals, by rolling back the case. 

BM SINGH, AMRITSAR

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Says it all 

If our Finance Minister’s economist spouse is unhappy with the economic programmes of the BJP, it is more than clear that the FM is a mere puppet in the hands of the RSS bosses who actually run the government (‘FM’s husband calls for adopting Singh model’; October 15).

Balvinder, by mail

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What our universities lack 

Refer to India-born Abhijit Banerjee winning Nobel Prize in Economics; the occasion forces us to introspect why only six Indians have won this prize — Har Gobind Khorana, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and Venkatraman Ramakrishnan are/were not Indian citizens! Indians are competent to excel in any field, but for that a conducive environment is required, which unfortunately is not available in our universities. Japan, a small country of the size of UP, by virtue of three genetic traits — punctuality, patience and politeness — coupled with ‘diligence and dedication’ has been able to win 25 Nobel prizes. It is a sad fact that needs serious introspection by our politicians, academicians and policy makers.

VK Anand, Chandigarh

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Why so much fraud? 

Financial fraud by bigwigs is startling. How can companies/corporates that hire professional CAs commit a fraud? It seems that the theoretical aspects taught by the Institute of Chartered Accountants are not commensurate with the practical aspects. Who must be blamed — the owner/trust or the CA or the government’s financial watchdogs?

Tanjeet Kaur, by mail

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State of guest faculty 

Reference to the news report ‘23 years on, no appointment of regular lecturers in state’ (October 14); guest faculty and part-timers are appointed by government colleges with government instructions. Guest faculty and part-timers are performing all duties, be it teaching or extra-curricular activities like NSS, NCC and election duties. There are only two differences in guest faculty/part-timers and regular staff — appointment procedure and salaries. The government should come out with a policy to regularise their services on priority basis to remove these inequalities.

Randeep Singh, Patiala

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Cultivate reading 

The middle ‘Books, like humans, age too’ (October 15) has brought to focus the issue of books, which are great companions to humans. The beauty and charm of books cannot be equated with smartphones. Books have a lasting impact and interest. Every student of school and college must make reading a habit.

Rikhi Dass Thakur, Hamirpur

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Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: [email protected]