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

No escaping snooping

This refers to Ground Zero, “In India, the choice is to live free or die hard” (June 16). It is a reminder to government agencies and top information technology entities to collaborate to protect the privacy of the increasing number of IT users in the country. There are both pros and cons to invading individual’s privacy by government agencies like the RAW, IB and CBI, but the threat to national security has to be addressed. There must be a large number of phones and mail accounts being tapped, but then mischief uncovered by the surveillance would have saved lives too. However one may look at it, government agencies have to have a certain level of access to people’s digital presence.

Tejinder Singh Bedi, Gurgaon

II

It is shameful that the world's only superpower, the US, is snooping on the private affairs of citizens and companies through peepholes across the globe. This act, even in the name of avoiding security threats to its country and people, is unacceptable. This is voyeurism, and a criminal act. Raj Chengappa rightly advises the Government of India to make use of the youth power, which is widely using the Internet, to devise methods to fight digital threats to the country. The government must also register a protest against the US for snooping on Indian phones and mail accounts.

R.K. Kapoor, Chandigarh

A father’s guidance

Fathers are not merely providers for the family but also play an important part in children’s nurture (‘When papa does not preach’; Spectrum; June 16). Fathers today preach less, and instead give direction to a child’s life. And in that they can contribute the most. In any case, today’s generation does not pay much heed to sermonising. On their part, children should not forget the struggle a father has out in, and pay heed to his advice.

Dr S. Kumar, Panchkula

A fine balance

Apropos ‘When privilege of surveillance becomes abuse’ (Guest Column, Sunday Tribune, June 16) by R.K. Raghavan, if the digital data of a technologically advanced country like the US can be penetrated, we should pay heed to the alarm bells in our networks. But it is a hard fact that terrorists have mounted 24x7 surveillance over government agencies. Counteraction has to be initiated. The communication and internet systems have to be strengthened so that data pertaining to national security is not compromised, and simultaneously citizens’ freedom is also not violated. A fine balance has to be struck.

S.C. Vaid, Greater Noida

Womanhood

Apropos ‘Powerpuff girls’ by Jasmine Singh (Spectrum, June 16), girls want to lead and ride high on success in their particular fields or chosen careers. The only fear is amidst all this confidence some may lose their essential womanhood.

Anju Sikri Anand, Ferozepur

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