Cong a divided house

Apropos of the editorial ‘Sachin Pilot’s gamble’ (July 14), two-time MP, junior minister in UPA-II government and Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot’s hunger for power became apparent when he unsuccessfully tried to topple his own government, with the tacit backing of the BJP, which he had opposed tooth and nail. The Congress must get a grip on itself and that process must start with filling the leadership vacuum and mitigating Pilot’s discontent to preempt a repetition of the MP episode.

SS Paul, Nadia

Bereft of ideology

Refer to ‘Sachin Pilot’s gamble’ (July 14); in politics these days, ideology has taken a back seat. The Congress is facing a grim battle for survival. At this critical juncture, when mass leaders are few and far between, state-level leaders have come to carry more weight. The leaders seem to be suffering from lack of vision and philosophy. Emerging young leaders must be given due importance in the party. Pilot was made the Deputy CM, but kept away from key portfolios. Why?

Raj Bahadur Yadav,Fatehabad

Giant tech initiative

Google brings an initiative of Rs 75,000 crore investment to help increase the adoption of digital technologies in India. The main focus areas like new technology for health, education, agriculture, empowering businesses, digital transformation and enabling affordable access in local languages will benefit India. This step can definitely help to fill the void created by the banning of 59 Chinese applications.

Amitoj Kaur, Patiala

Google’s forward march

Refer to ‘Google to pump in Rs 75K cr for Digital India initiative’ (July 14); tech giants are coming under increasing regulatory pressure around the world on tax, data privacy and data storage, and so, it makes sense to be on the good side of governments everywhere. Google is facing mounting competition in its core search business. It needs to make its uniqueness felt. In rapidly evolving AI, too, India is a good place to locate high-quality talent. Google’s self-interest goes perfectly well with our public interest. The digital ecosystem can generate millions of high-quality jobs and other ancillary occupations that India needs.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Road project stuck

The work on the Ambala-Saha highway was flagged off in June 2019. The proposed distance is roughly 15 km. The project started with great fanfare but it’s been over a year, neither the contract assigning authority nor civil society/media has questioned the reasons for delay. Elections may be contested on such matters, but there is neither a time frame for projects nor penalty in case of delay. I wonder what kind of management did E Sreedharan enforce at the workplace that the entire web of Delhi Metro was handed over to the state government before time. None of us have learnt from the DMRC that construction of roads and highways in busy cities could also be done after sunset. Thankfully, the said project is a ‘no toll’ highway, else, the company winning the bid might have started the construction by first bringing the toll plaza into effect.

DS Thukral, Ambala

Acts of philanthropy

Lord Swraj Paul is often in the news for his philanthropic activities (‘Lord Swraj Paul donates $5 million to alma mater’; July 13). India has also been a recipient of his largesse. People like him have also helped Indian institutions to further research in many fields and programmes alleviating poverty and improving health conditions. But often, India-born philanthropists are known to donate large sums to US and UK institutions that are already well placed in money matters. But would it not serve better if the research and educational needs of the developing countries of their origin are given a larger portion of the largesse?

DV Sharma, Mukerian

Dubey encounter

A lot has been said and debated in the media on the encounter of gangster Vikas Dubey. Sadly, no police or government agency has come forward to give plausible answers to the doubts raised by different groups of people and political parties. The overturned vehicle involved in the episode was not towed, but virtually dragged in lying position by a crane. Without much effort, the vehicle could have been lifted to be put on wheels. What can be the motive behind this mysterious move?

VK Anand, Chandigarh

Stricter guidelines

We are at a stage where restrictions related to public gatherings and public movement is necessary. Even though the recovery rate is at a good pace, we cannot deny the active cases and also the main concern that most people aren’t even getting tests done. Therefore, the decision by the CM should be welcomed by every resident of Punjab. The state government should, however, ensure that all guidelines and restrictions are executed in a way that people don’t face any trouble.

Raktanjali Sharma, Hoshiarpur

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