M A I L B A G

Foreign direct investment in print media

This refers to Mr Hari Jaisingh's article "Can we let in the foreign press?" (Nov 10).

As far as Indian culture is concerned, if there is any threat to it at all, it would come from Satellite media. The strength of Indian culture is that it is a mosaic-ever changing and effortlessly absorbing new and foreign elements without losing its essence and character. In fact, if there is one alternative culture that is clearly holding its own and ever competing on the world stage against the spread of a homogenised American culture, it the Indian. Bollywood films, curry, voga and our wide range of musical forms.

It has been argued that FDI in the print media is begin kept out to somehow protect Indian democracy. This idea runs contrary to the facts — the foreigners off policy actually favors only hidebound media houses that wish to protect their monopolies. Since independence the government has allowed duty free import of newspapers, magazines and all varies of journals. The logic behind this tariff freedom is knowledge and information should have easy entry into a democracy such as India.

While India has been debating FDI in the print media, the Internet has arrived to make the current policy even more ridiculous. So, in effect foreigners can rain down on the Indian subcontinent as much television content as they want, provide any kind of information on the internet but can do nothing in the print media.

SUBHASH C. TANEJA
Rohtak

Face challenge: Mr Jaisingh seems to have written against letting the foreign press in India, without even specifying the kind fears he envisages.

While liberalisation is all right in other areas, the print media, he feels, should be left out of it, one wonders why.

Inviting foreign direct investment in the country's most sensitive arena, he feels, will have a direct bearing on the people's basic rights to think freely and independently within our democratic framework and smacks of mental slavery. This is an underestimation of the reader's ability to judge. It appears that domestic print media is scared of the foreign dominance by way presentation of news, views and advertisement. It is this attitude that smacks of inferiority complex and slavery. If we were robust enough we would take on any challenges that the foreign print media might pose.

SUMANDEEP KAPOOR
Jalandhar

ISI danger: That the first Press Commission in 1955 and the second Press Commission in 1980 had recommended a ban on the entry of foreign media as quoted in the article fails to guide the intentions of the government is indeed very sad to say the least.

The write rightly warns that Pakistan's ISI could take advantage of the situation and extend its proxy war through its overseas friends in the foreign press in India.

Wg Cdr C. L. SEHGAL (retd.)
Jalandhar

Vigilance needed: It is a pity that we in India have come to enjoy freedom but do not still possess a correct understanding of it. No videshi print media can ever perform this role.

VIVEK SINGH MAR GIRAN
Kurukshera

Accolades: Mr Hari Jaisingh deserves accolades for highlighting the latent perils in the entry of the foreign print media.

TARSEM S. BUMRAH
Batala

Full marks: Your paper deserves cent per cent marks for highlighting the dangers if foreign print media is allowed in our country.

RAJINDER BANJAL
Pundri (Kaithal)

Good tea

In his letter "Tea as a health drink" (Nov 6). Mr Ganesh Sahrma highlighted the benefit of taking this beverage.

According to a leading cancer experts, Dr P.K. Krishnaswamy of Bangalore, tea contains antioxidants, called flavindoids, which help in neutralising free radicals in human bodies. The free radicals cause oxidative damages that contribute to the formation or progression of heart ailments, cancer or stroke. Thus, tea reduces the chances of developing these dreaded diseases.

BHAGWAN SINGH
Qadian

Insurance business

With the issuance of the licences by IRDA, the private players are geared up to lure the consumers. The conversion of monolithic nature of insurance business into multifaceted one will bring a revolution in the industry.

In the era of internet services the consumers hope to receive door-to-door service. Apart from the economic assurance of indemnity of life and tax-exceptions, the customers need safe return of invested monies with interest.

The aggressive campaigning by private companies will force Indian players adopt new strategies

YUGAL KISHORE SHARMA
Khambi (Faridabad)

No confusion

This is with reference to Mr Ranveer Sehgal’s letter regarding my article “Contradiction and Confusion.”

As regards the difference between nationalism and patriotism, on which Mr Sehgal wants an explanation, I have to make two points. I consider Field Marshal Manekshaw one of the greatest patriots of this country, but he is not a nationalist. As for Muslims, it is one of the injections of Islam that Muslims are not to praise their pre-Islamic past.

M.S.N. MENON
New Delhi