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

US tilt

Apropos “Will it be business as unusual?” by Ashok Tuteja (Sunday Tribune, Nov 11), Barack Obama has talked tough on outsourcing. Compared to Americans, Indians have far greater potential to work hard and often, with far less resources of personal comfort, security and even safety. They are cheaper hands and brains. This will continue to be a strong USP for India. The move to allow foreign direct investment is sure to evince further US interest in our country's development.

Tejinder Singh Bedi, Gurgaon

II

Apropos “Obama 2.0” by Ashish Kumar Sen, addressing Parliament during his visit to India, Obama had said: “What I am standing before is, all because of Mahatma Gandhi”. His statement revealed his impressions about India. Obama is now disillusioned with Pakistan and its role in fomenting terrorism and sheltering Osama bin Laden. Obama's recent victory speech was rich both in content and intentions and shows him to be a statesman with a vision. We must enter into trade and defence pacts with the US more vigorously to dent the dangerous designs of Pakistan and counter China's hostility towards India.

BM Singh, Amritsar

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III

Sumit Ganguly's article, “India will have to hard sell itself to the US” (Sunday Tribune), is a sound warning to Indian policy-makers. The US is not a charity house. It is known to watch its interests. Whatever India may do and in spite of all the anti-US rhetoric of hardcore Islamists in Pakistan, the Islamic nation will remain an ally of the US. The change of guard in Washington will have little or no effect on this tricky situation for India. We will have to frame our policies, especially anti-terror policies, without much dependence on the US.

AK Sharma, Chandigarh

Women power

“Women’s vote key to political power” (Sunday Tribune, Nov 11) describes the pain women undergo every day of their lives. The mindset of society is undergoing transformation and women are being supported in athletics. They are breaking male-dominated bastions. They have to be made aware of the modern environment and this can be achieved through education. Women will have to realise their potential in deciding the fate of politicians and improving their lot.

SC Vaid, Greater Noida

Divali spirit

Reference to the article, “How Divali has changed” (Spectrum), crackers cause a lot of pollution which is detrimental to health. Divali has become a means of pleasing government officials. We should stop this form of practiced legalised bribery. With consumerism, the spirit of Divali is no longer what it used to be.

Mahesh Kapasi, email