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Why this resistance to new ideas?

The article “A game changer” by Raj Chengappa (September 16) has rightly advised the ruling coalition to forcefully carry out a campaign to educate the public about the imperative of long-awaited economic reforms like FDI.

We, as a nation, are conventionalists, conservative and die-hard opponents of any new idea that can substantially affect our lives and lifestyles. We outrightly reject such ideas giving undue weightage to our apprehensions. FDI in retail is being opposed vehemently by some states and the opposition parties at large.

I am reminded of the days in the late sixties when a proposal to introduce automation in the Life Insurance Corporation was vehemently opposed by the employees in their resolve to forestall automation by holding all types of protests because of the fear of retrenchment of employees by the LIC. Even the promises of “no retrenchment” by then Finance Minister Morarji Desai were termed “hollow”.

Automation came in stages in the seventies, and no retrenchment was ever effected. Similarly the entry of private players and the FDI in insurance was opposed. The momentous growth in insurance business both in public and private sectors and their efficient handling does prove that the opponents were not totally right in their perception.

Computers and the telecom industry have become the essential backbone of the economy today.

Resistance to new ideas of change should give way to cautious understanding of the fallouts. An approach to outrightly reject something new because it comes from a source not of our liking needs to the shunned.

TC CHOPRA, Chandigarh

A cause for concern

The facts presented by the Defence Minister are a cause for alarm but the views expressed by the writer are off the mark. This is with reference to the letter published on September 13, ‘Bridge the gap’.

The social causes of breakdown of combined families and separation of young married couples are a big factor. A woman has to bear all responsibilities by herself. If she has one or two young children, then their education and security are a big problem which makes the wife a miserable soldier and she immediately reaches her husband and he gets upset and a weak heart gives way to this step.

The financial angle and difference in pay is totally wrong. Education doesn’t mean equal leadership qualities and capabilities. The system had been highly downgraded and defence personnel are the biggest sufferers financially, socially and otherwise. They are overstretched while performing their duties.

The officers of defence forces are doing an excellent job and service to the nation. They need our wholehearted support. They are the only organ of the nation which is following the old diction, “Country comes first always and every time, men come next always and every time and I come last always and every time”. Let us all support them so that this nation remains strong, secure and safe. An odd “ghotala” is an abberation, and the Army is taking strong steps against all such happenings.

BS KOSHAL, Haryana

Extenuating situation

When almost half the country has been passing through a severe power crisis owing to the biggest power cut, disrupting life in 20 states and two union territories across the north, east and northeast India and affecting more than 600 million people, or half of India’s population, the Prime Minister has changed the portfolio of Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and gave the additional charge to Corporate Affairs Minister M. Veerappa Moily.

Despite such a large-scale tripping of power, there are some states which are clamouring for more power due to deficient rain. Under this extenuating situation, there is a greater need to have a full-fledged Union Power Minister and not with only additional responsibilities as has been done by the Prime Minister.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh