THIS refers to Hari Jaisingh’s "Ingredients of a new-look Republic (January 26). The writer has drawn-up an exhaustive list of the directive principles for the government to follow. Everyone wishes to discard red-tapism; the question is how? Every PM and CM has vowed to make the laws and the police people-friendly, both the forces have ended up working for the benefit of the law-breakers. "Cheaper and speedier justice" has fallen a victim to Bofors, hawalas and scams. Every minister wants to give ‘special priority and care’ to rural India, only, where is the money for it? All the revenue is eaten up in electing and protecting VIPs who are neither worth electing nor protecting. All the 24 points raised by the author are note-worthy, only how to translate these into action?

None dare think of the mechanics of bringing about the changes that are necessary. The author has just hinted at it in the last but one paragraph of his write-up. He speaks of a "rebirth of the Republic with a new system of governance under a rational, responsive and people-friendly Presidential form." This is not going to be easy, because all the operators and manipulators of political power will oppose it. Seshan tried to reform elections; the politician saddled him with two election commissioners. The commission set up to review the Constitution is not expected to recommend any major structural changes, and even if it does, the Parliament will vote the recommendations down. The author pins his hope on public-awareness, but to force such a monumental change in India is a tall order.

L.R. SHARMA, Jalandhar

The article served as a Republic Day message to the nation and a warning to all those wielding power.

We have, indeed, made a mockery of our rich secular tradition. Innocent masses are the worst sufferers at the hands of manipulators. What is needed, as the writer says, is to create awareness and help the people to assert themselves. The media has a great role to play in this regard.

K.J. REDDY, New Delhi

There is no doubt that despite more than half a century of Independence, India is struggling for freedom from various kinds of biases and imbalances.

Our century-long fight for freedom from foreign rule did succeed in breaking the shackles of slavery but the real concept of ‘home rule’ for which our revolutionaries sacrificed their lives has remained in the writer’s words, a far cry. The custodians of the administration are today identified with corruption, selfishness, favouritism and opportunism. The writer rightly says that India today looks like a nation that is floating on black money.

The twentyfour points suggested in the article can go a long way in making our Republic an ideal one. I endorse the writer’s conclusion that nothing but clear goals and honestly done hard work can make our Republic a superpower.

MADAN LAL SHARMA, Kurukshetra