Task cut out

Refer to ‘Mega rejig: 36 join Modi govt, 7 promoted’; there is a razor-sharp focus on politics and the coming elections. There is a clear message on representational politics, reflecting regions and social constituencies crucial for the BJP, especially for the Assembly polls in 2022. Modi’s mega Cabinet with 77 members is the biggest-ever council of ministers. Good results are expected of this big team which has the job of bringing pandemic-battered India back on track. Just days before the 30th anniversary of reforms, the economy is in the worst shape in 30 years. The vaccination question is not yet fully answered. A third Covid wave remains a potent fear. If the mega council of ministers’ primary job is to govern, this team has its task cut out.

PS KAUR, by mail

Polls on mind

The PM has selected his new team keeping in mind the caste factor. OBC, SC and tribal appeasement will prove to be a costly gamble. Dropping 12 ministers is confirmation that these ministers were not competent. Ravi Shankar Prasad’s arrogance was the cause of his dropout. Harsh Vardhan paid the cost of being a totally ineffective Health Minister. The new ministers may not be able to cope with people’s anger against the government’s monumental failure to check the prices of fuel and daily commodities.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), mohali

New Cabinet

Refer to the ‘Minimum government, maximum governance’ slogan of the Modi government, 43 new ministers have now been inducted. Those who lost their chair cannot be blamed as they were ministers with no power or one can say they were not empowered by the Prime Minister. Let’s see what these new ministers can do, or should do.

Aastha Kapur, Solan

Loss of ‘tragedy king’

The news of the passing away of ‘tragedy king’ Dilip Kumar, who gave a new direction to Indian cinema, is heartbreaking. Dilip Kumar was iconic. Nobody was able to match his acting, even in the twilight of his film acting career. The gap created by his death will be hard to fill as the new generation is not capable of the talent possessed by Dilip Kumar. Films like Devdas, Gunga Jumna and Mughal-e-Azam have left a permanent impact on our film industry.

Manjit Singh, Ludhiana

A void, a legacy

This is in reference to ‘Goodbye, Dilip Kumar’; an actor, star, thespian, legend — it is easy to run out of adjectives for Dilip Kumar, who leaves behind a rich legacy of memorable films and roles, in a magnificent career graph that spanned over five decades. His acting style ranged across genres and characters. He was a natural and commanded instant attention. More than anything else, he felt real and relatable. Even today, when you think of effortless performance in Hindi cinema, you think of Dilip Kumar. His legacy will live on.

PL SINGH, by mail

Shoes hard to fill

Dilip Kumar ruled Indian cinema for no less than 50 years. Not only that, he had self-respect not to play second fiddle to the hero in the Hollywood film Lawrence of Arabia. Interestingly, an Iranian actor said he was the most popular in his country after Dilip Kumar. That shows the greatness of this method actor. I doubt if there would be any Indian actor greater than this thespian. He would be remembered for generations to come.

JS Wadhwa, Kapurthala

Transparency in funds

The Centre has been collecting large amounts by way of withholding DA instalments of Central/state employees and pensioners since January 2020. Crores would have been saved. Similarly, the steep hike in petrol, diesel and gas for over a year has filled the government coffers. And then, there are increased duties and taxes. Add to that the amount collected through the PM Covid care fund which must be substantial. In view of these facts and increased collection of GST and direct and indirect taxes, the amount collected is mind-boggling. These earnings and expenditures on various schemes should be placed in the public domain so as to earn the confidence of the people.

Harbachan Singh sandhu, by mail

At public cost

Refer to ‘Judge recuses from Nandigram case hearing, slaps Rs 5 lakh fine on Mamata’; the big question agitating the common man’s mind is: Who pays for Mamata Banerjee’s litigation and the fine — she personally, or her party, the TMC, or the state? Similar cases abound where politicians in power settle personal scores, abusing state funds/machinery and hiring legal luminaries at public cost, besides the bevy of advocates-general. The onus falls on the media as public watchdog to ensure that public purse is not misused or misappropriated.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

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