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IT-aided proxy wars a new invention
The power of information technology seems to be the latest potent weapon of waging proxy wars, creating unrest and destabilising a country and people by whipping up anti-government or communal sentiments. The social networking sites like Facebook and Youtube contributed in a big way to the spread of Arab Spring and uprisings in recent times. The tracing of the origin of the SMSes that created chaos and led to exodus of North-East migrants from Bangalore, Hyderabad and other cities and inflammatory material on social networking sites originating from Pakistan points to a similar intention of Pakistan against India. The Government of India is dealing with Pakistan and is working towards bringing regulation on the use of Net material that is provocative and damaging. If Pakistan or any other country is trying to spread fear, hatred and unrest in India, we, the people of India, should stand up against such provocations and not play into the hands of the enemies. Lack of trust, intolerance and a lack of sense of oneness as Indians have made the task of mischief-mongers and anti-social elements easy. India needs to set a good example of community living with understanding and peace and send a strong message to trouble-makers that we will thwart their evil designs. ZULFIKHAR
AKRAM, Bangalore
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Headache for life There is an ugly side to the growth in the life insurance sector which is playing with the sentiments of senior citizens (article “Changing face of life insurance”, August 13). The interests of the insurer and the agents are well looked after but the ‘insured’ has to pay a heavy price to keep the ‘insurer’ and the ‘agent’ smiling. The first year’s premium is spent in paying commission to the agent and in clearing administrative charges. Administrative charges are levied in subsequent years too. The investor is a big loser if he is incapable of continuing the policy to its full term. Even otherwise the amount is invested in share market and fund value depends upon market trend. The insurance agents do not advise the investor correctly. He is more interested in collecting his hefty commission than watching the interests of the investor. Agents find ways and means to overcome safety valves set up by the IRDA. Senior citizens are taken for a ride by insurance agents, advisers or brokers. They are lured, persuaded and promised a number of benefits. Old people get influenced by their gullible talk and invest their life’s savings in insurance companies. The insurance companies take shelter behind technical terms printed in the policy documents which are hardly understood by senior citizens. The insurer knows that the insured cannot continue to pay the premium; hence the insurer stands to gain in every way. The insured person not only loses his money but also suffers a big jolt mentally. Insurance is a social welfare measure to provide financial security, not to fleece people by making false promises and hoodwinking them. The insurance companies must play a more proactive, harmonious and social role in coming to the rescue of insured persons. ANGAD SINGH, via e-mail Ground reality
Without an iota of doubt, we can say that the insensitive and irresponsible ministers are misinformed on issues affecting the public (News item “Beni Prasad sparks row”, August 21). His advisers should tell him that there is a wide gap between the sale price and purchase price. Today, you go to the market to purchase potatoes, you will get it at the rate of Rs 20 per kg, but a farmer sells them to retailers at the rate of not more than Rs 2 or 3 per kg. Last year, many onion producers dumped their produce on the GT road as a mark of protest against non-payment or low payment, while in the market onion sold at the rate of more than Rs 100 per kg. Last year, when Assam declared tea as the state beverage, many tea producers felt ecstatic. However, their happiness was short lived because tea companies further reduced the purchase price of tea leaves. Farmers being bound to produce ‘state beverage leaves’ were helpless and they dumped their produce on the roads. Tea which is available at varying rates of around Rs 50 to Rs 200 per kg is purchased at the rate of not more than Rs 4-6 per kg. SURINDER KAUR
SUR, Jagraon
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