L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Politics is not a family business

The Tribune (editorial, “Power and grief–Unseemly haste in lobbying for successor”, Sep 5) says what others do not dare to. Our politics has indeed degraded and many politicians do not miss out a chance to score points. Even tragic incidents like the accidental and untimely death of leaders are used as a pretext for promoting and serving personal interests. They voice their grief in public only to be seen and rewarded by the probable successors of the deceased. This is the height of the unabashed lust for power.  

These lackeys discover in sons or daughters or some other close relatives of the departed leaders such leadership qualities as the latter themselves may not be aware of and cite the future of the party as the reason for their preference. But in reality they see their own future in supporting the “would-be” head of the party at the state or the national government.

Dynastic politics is striking roots in almost all political parties. This is against the spirit of democracy. All parties should put their heads together to prevent politics from becoming a family business.

TARSEM SINGH, New Delhi

Status quo in Pakistan

In his article “Poor governance in Pakistan”(Sep 4), Inder Malhotra has pointed out the prevailing anxieties about disturbing the status quo in Pakistan. I do not understand why this anxiety persists among the West and India. The US and its western allies should stop all financial aid to Pakistan. At least then the menace could be dealt with properly, once and for all.

 T SINGH, Manchester, UK

Dynamic leader

I agree with the views expressed in the editorial “Death on the hilltop” (Sep 4) that in the tragic death of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Andhra Pradesh has lost a dynamic leader who had his fingers on the pulse of his people.

He will always be remembered for his pro-people socio-economic policies and programmes. He initiated many welfare schemes in the field of education and health. He tried his utmost to bridge the gap between the rural and urban areas. His schemes for the rural poor did help curb Naxalism in the state.

Politically, he was an unchallenged leader. A high-level inquiry must reveal the real reason behind the helicopter crash.

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

II

YSR Reddy was truly a man of action. He knew the pulse of the common people. He understood their hardships and, above all, worked for their welfare and upliftment. He was a leader with a difference and the main architect of the UPA ‘s victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections. His loss can never be   compensated.

Dr MANPREET KAUR, Jalandhar    

FDI norms

The liberalised FDI norm (news report, “FDI norms eased for small enterprises”, for micro and small enterprises in India is a step in the right direction. Small is beautiful and capable of proving its worth and potential in the competitive world.

The mantra “survival of the fittest” needs to be replaced by survival of the weakest by ensuring a level-playing field.

There is a strong case for adopting single window for FDI inflows in this sector of the industry that is certainly in dire need of financial resources to compete.

Dr M M GOEL Kurukshetra

Hone teaching skills

The Vice-President of India, while giving away the National Awards to about 300 teachers, said that teachers should improve their skills and professional competencies. Although there is a provision of in-service training in every state, the methodology adopted is that of the 19th century.

It is essential that professional competencies of teachers must also be renewed keeping in view the changes in pedagogy. Skills like leadership, communication and team building, etc. must be important prerequisites for qualification and in-service training programmes.

Dr S KUMAR, Panchkula

Teachers’ Day

A great teacher is a great artist. While parents give life to our body, teachers give life to our soul. So as an expression of gratefulness we celebrate Teachers’ Day every year on September 5. Teachers’ Day is a tribute to the teachers for their incomparable devotion and hard work.

SHELI SHARMA, Chandigarh

Enriching life

The middle, “Married to the military” (Sep 2) by Amrita Harwant Singh was interesting and correctly described the conditions and situations faced by families of military men. It is really an adventurous life. Meeting new people, new cultures and learning different languages is an enriching experience.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Harvest rainwater Jayshree Sengupta’s article “Controlling drought” (Aug 29) did not give precise short-term solutions to minimise the effects of drought. In the first place, the meteorology department of India miserably failed to give the accurate percentage of likely failure of the monsoon. Thus, the farmers of Punjab and Haryana went ahead with the sowing of paddy on a large scale. Crops like sugarcane and bajra (millets) could have easily weathered the actual rainfall pattern this year without much reduction in the yield. In fact, many farmers have been avoiding sowing sugarcane and other less water-consuming crops because of the high price of paddy. The effects of drought can be minimised only by resorting to optimum and scientific use of surface and sub-surface water resources. The rainfall pattern in India is highly irregular and unpredictable. The government must start rainwater-harvesting schemes on a massive scale. Only then can the problem be tackled. RAM NIWAS MALIK, Gurgaon