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Holding the state to ransom THE write-up "Holding the state to ransom by" (August 27) M.G. Devasahayam is a sad commentary on the state of our administration. The question being posed in the media is: Why does the Indian State always surrender to blackmail? The Veerappan episode is the real test for the CMs of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The author has rightly commented that it is up to them to uphold the majesty of law or succumb to the expediency of politics. The Union Government should not act as a silent spectator to the entire drama. Any surrender by the two state governments to Veerappan will be one more blow to the raison d’etre of the already-tottering Indian State. It is high time that the state evolved a standard policy of not yielding to terror tactics under any circumstances whatsoever. The Centre and states must establish the rule of law which is the hallmark of our country’s democratic process. ONKAR CHOPRA |
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Paradigm shifts Please refer to "Paradigm shifts: From growing wheat to harvesting IT" (August 13). Who has the paradigm of growth in India really shifted? Who has benefitted the most from this shift? I am of the view that the so-called IT (Information Technology) is not a panacea to every serious problem the masses are facing in India. It has come as a boon for a handful of people whereas the common people of the country are still at the mercy of rain gods and weather conditions. The unprecedented drought which hit Gujarat, Rajasthan and some other states in summer this year rendered our IT revolution and super computers meaningless. Unless and until our technologies address the burning problems of the masses, they can prove to be of little use to us. We have failed so far to provide universal primary education, clean drinking water and basic health facilities to our people. According to India Development Report (1999), 40.53 million people are still unemployed in the country. A high rate of unemployment acts as a stimulant to terrorist movements. These days we are leaders of the whole world in software technology. Every Chief Minister seems to be seriously engaged in building cyber cities and hopes to remove poverty, illiteracy and unemployment through computers. I find myself at complete loss as to understand how they are going to achieve this challenging task. Regional disparities mock at the Union Government’s claim of building a strong India. The big states like U.P., M.P., Bihar and Rajasthan are reeling under abject poverty whereas the economic growth in Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra is comparable to even certain developed areas of Europe. This disturbing difference between one region and another cannot be removed by building cyber cities. Cyber cities certainly suit the needs of the elites and the rich but they don’t have much relevance in the common man’s life. They are, in fact, the dream worlds of only prosperous people. In glittering cyber cities, the poor and weak with empty pockets don’t have any place. We have certainly attained nuclear capability and raised a few cyber cities also here and there but we have miserably failed to produce selfless and sensible leaders whom the masses adore and follow. RAJ BAHADUR YADAV Learn to respect others This refers to the article "In trying to change, we destroy" by Taru Bahl (August 26). It is sad but true that frequently we come across cases of this type where an apparently happy and loving couple reaches such a point of marital discord and estrangement that their home finally break. When one party forcibly endeavours to mould and shape the other’s personality into an image of one’s own liking, friction and resentment are bound to follow. Adjustment is a must for a marriage to succeed, but sadly, sometimes too much adjustment not only distorts one’s personality but also causes one’s spouse to take one for granted. What mostly follows is that one is treated like a doormat of no significance at all. Such things finally pile up to ruin the marriage. Everyone is unique. Why not accept a person he or she is, instead of trying to mould them to one’s own liking? It is imperative that both partners should recognise the need to respect each other’s identity, to show consideration for each other’s feelings, opinions, likes and dislikes and thus have a healthy and comfortable relationship. AMRIT PAL TIWANA |
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