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Grooming Indo-US relations

India has every reason to feel proud of that both the US and China consider it a power to reckon with in Asia. Recognising its growing economic and military potential, these countries seek India's support to promote their geo-economic and strategic interests in the region. As such, they have shown overwhelming eagerness to improve their relations with the emerging Asian giant. After US Secretary of State John Kerry, Vice-President Joe Biden's recent visit to New Delhi with a view to realigning their Asia-Pacific foreign policy has assumed a great significance (editorial 'Enduring relationship', July 26).

India has already relaxed the FDI norms in various sectors to bolster investment sentiment in the country. It should do so more when the US agrees to allay Indian concerns about skill workers' visas and the civil-nuclear deal. Also, India should engage with it on important issues of mutual concern in Asia, including Afghanistan. But India must assert itself and ensure an unstinted cooperation to the US and seek its support in dealing with the looming spectre of China.

D S Kang, Hoshiarpur

Economy in bad phase

The RBI has predicted a prolonged bad phase in the economy. Populist measures like the Food Security Bill will further harm the economy. Many European economies have come out of a months-long slump, but India's economy is sinking because of its bad management, policy, lack of political will, corruption, etc. Nobody is serious about macro development. Rather the government is concentrating on micro development models. This mismanagement is adding to the ever-rising number of unemployed youth. If corrective steps are not taken at this juncture, the middle-class and small business families would be ruined.

PROF Y L CHOPRA (RETD), Bathinda

Swan river

Apropos the news item 'Swan river canalisation hanging fire for 2 years' (July 22), we are glad to learn that Rs 922 crore has been sanctioned for the canalisation of Swan river tributaries in Una district which would help reclaim 7,000 hectares of agricultural land. However, I feel constrained to point out that intensive afforestation of the catchment area of the tributaries proposed to be canalised is a crying imperative of the situation which, if ignored, is bound to prove fatal for the ambitious project. I do hope that the authorities concerned are listening and would actively involve the state's forest department in the matter.

Moreover, may I point out that R K Sharma is the Engineer-in-Chief of the state's I&PH Department and not the Chief Engineer, as the news item erroneously said. The error seems too glaring to go unnoticed.

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

Women's status

It has been recognised that man and woman are the two wheels of the cart of life. But the crime rate against women is increasing day by day. A brief survey of the legislative measures shows that legislatures have enacted a plethora of the legislation to improve the working conditions of women, and to uplift the status and image of women. Still, the fact is that they are physically as well as mentally harassed at the workplace. This mental agony and trauma remain etched for years on their memory. Given their miserable condition, the government should do something in this regard. The law must take such steps as it becomes difficult for the accused to get judicial reprieve.

VIPASHA SHARMA, Dhariwal

Stray dog menace

The increase in the number of stray dogs has become a cause for concern for residents. The menace is also causing a scare in the minds of early morning walkers of Sector 43. There have been many incidents of dog bites in the past six weeks. Owing to their ubiquitous presence, children have stopped playing in the playgrounds and elders are unable to go out for a walk. The authorities should take the problem seriously and do something in this regard.

WG CDR J S BHALLA (RETD), Chandigarh

A true saint

This refers to the news item 'Keshgarh Sahib Jathedar dead' (August 1). The death of Giani Tarlochan Singh is really saddening. He was one of those who had imbibed in himself the qualities of being a true saint, a virtuous man. His contribution to the Sikh history can never be forgotten. He was a soft-spoken person who had a vast knowledge of religious education. Parkash Singh Badal was apt in describing him as a "great Sikh scholar". Heroism does not lie in strength but in serving others and Gianiji was a perfect example of it.

ARSHDEEP SINGH, Mohali