It was a bold step by Outlook to have published Kantipur editor Yubaraj Ghimire’s views (Blue Pencil, Red Ink and Shades of Truth, July 2). This will go towards healing our ties with Nepal and bridging any communication gap. Ghimire’s article was more like a national address, confessing his real intentions behind publishing an article by a Maoist leader.
Sairam S. Kumar, Thrissur
By trotting out the charge of "muzzling the proactive press" against the Koirala government, Ghimire can’t cover up his own culpability in extending the hospitality of his newspaper to the jaundiced opinion of a known terrorist leader out to grab power through the barrel of the gun. And even if he strongly disapproved of Bhattarai’s views and allegations—as he claims—what prevented him from publishing a critical editorial simultaneously, instead of the day after?
M. Ratan, New Delhi
In the article A Run on Banks (July 2), you jump from obvious outcomes like how vrs payments are hitting bank bottomlines (any vrs affects profits in the year of payments; that’s why it’s amortised over several years as its benefits are seen in the longer term) to how banks are outsourcing work (which was one of the main objectives of the scheme) to a highlighted section on NPAS, which is a separate problem and has nothing to do with the scheme.
Sanjiv Padmanabhan, on e-mail
What else did you expect? That banks could pay off a few lakhs each to a few thousand employees and still have huge profits? And what’s your definition of "operational efficiency" anyway? If the same work is now being done by a smaller number of people and consequently at lesser expense, does it constitute "lowering" of efficiency?
Jude Britto, Bangalore
Though India had decided unanimously in Parliament in 1994 and subsequently reiterated that the whole of Kashmir is an integral part of India, considering the ground realities we have only two options (It’s Yesterday Once More, July 2). One of course, is to mutually agree to accept the present LoC as an international boundary. For, even if PoK is offered to India, it won’t be easy dealing with a two-million hostile Muslim population. The other option is to allow Kashmir to be an independent buffer state. This might invite criticism of a sellout or surrender on both sides but will be a positive step in the long run. If the summit doesn’t produce anything positive, it’ll be a betrayal of the hopes of peace-loving people.
Dr A.K. Tharien, Oddanchatram
The hullabaloo over Musharraf’s visit is meaningless as no significant outcome is expected of it. Musharraf is coming with his head loaded with Kashmir and other smaller issues on his mind while Atalji & Co have other issues on their mind and then Kashmir.
Mayank Pandey, on e-mail
Newspapers have been reporting that Gen Musharraf is coming to India to meet the Indian prime minister with an open mind. The meeting between Musharraf and Vajpayee should be a realistic one and attempt to strike at the root of the Kashmir problem as well as other bilateral issues between Indian and Pakistan. It should usher in an era of peace in the valley and good relations between neighbours.
Kumar S., Bangalore
We, the people of India, hope that Musharraf comes to India on a goodwill visit and not a Goodbye Pakistan one. With a history of coups, takeovers and dismissals of leaders and generals, the General-President may make the atmosphere congenial in Pakistan for an easy takeover as a consequence of which he may be forced to take asylum in India. The Nehrwal haveli may then become his permanent residence.
Surinder Gujral, New Delhi
The only visible success in 10 Years of Economic Reforms (June 25) has been the mushrooming of std booths in almost every nook and corner of the country. The rest—new car models, cellphones, hi-fi audio/video products or imported fruits—are beyond the common man’s reach. This is tantamount to the large-scale failure of the so-called economic reforms.
P.S. Dhillon, Pithoragarh
It is interesting that former prime minister Narasimha Rao has spoken of the new thinking in World Bank circles by way of vindication of the social values the country has clung on to despite all odds. This is a comment on the reforms itself—a need for its human face to be specific—and it’s good the warning bell has been rung by none other than one of the men hailed as the architects of a movement which was to change the face of the country in a matter of years.
Rajib Kumar, on e-mail
The ceasefire extension should be immediately withdrawn and the nscn extremism crushed (Fire and Fury, July 2). Ceasefire should be used against an external power during war. Against an internal conflict or uprising, it’s abject surrender, something a government can ill afford. Anyway, why should we deal with a person who’s operating from alien territory and send emissaries to meet him in Paris, Amsterdam, Bangkok or Timbuktoo? Muivah should in fact be declared persona non grata.
K.P. Rajan, on e-mail
Was Advani trying to match Vajpayee’s initiative on Kashmir when he decided to act peace messiah for the northeast? Sadly, his move has misfired.
P.K. Srivastava, Ghaziabad
Apropos From Dust to Ashes (July 2), the mode of disposal of the human body after death should be left to the wishes of the deceased. Does it matter the least to the departed one whether his body has been consigned to the flames or the earth, as long as his soul rests in peace? Then why this fuss? We must bow to the changing times, for that alone is wise.
Jinu Matthew, on e-mail
Hindu clergy should take lessons from the Christian one. The latter have, for the sake of space and environment, relented in favour of cremation. But has any Hindu priest ever favoured cremation in electric crematoria to save depleting stocks of wood? Or dissuaded the practice of bathing their dead in rivers whose water we drink?
J.M. Manchanda, on e-mai
In his Sicily Diary (June 25), Rahul Jacob tests his quixotic bravado by calling the BJP and VHP practitioners of a regressive strain of 21st century barbarism. Has he forgotten how the Students’ Islamic Movement of India ran amok on the basis of false rumours or what the Indian Union Muslim League activists did after Gadar’s launch? If Outlook is a self-proclaimed defender of secularism, Mr Mehta, please stand by the same!
Sushil Manohar, on e-mail
In Unwritten Chapters (July 2), Sheela Reddy quotes David Davidar as including M.S. Subbalakshmi among the difficult propositions for a biography as their families refuse to "divulge" their private lives. Her picture has been splashed, along with others, with the caption—"their secret archives". Does a desire to protect one’s privacy justify the imputation that one has something discreditable to hide?
Meenakshi Venkatesan, Mumbai
Apropos our Polscape (July 2) regarding Mr Arun Jaitley, we are happy to clarify that Mr Swraj Kaushal had no involvement in the printing of the gossip item in a Hindi daily—Editor.
While Anita Pratap is right in saying that the current government is surviving due to a lack of alternatives (A Clone’s Slow Death, June 11), I too subscribe to Outlook due to a lack of alternatives. You are misguiding the nation by using the likes of Arundhati Roy as your mouthpiece. Have you done a thorough survey of Gujarat and enquired what people there want? I dare you to publish the truth.
Chidanand D. Bhat, on e-mail
In his Pachmarhi Diary (May 21), Prabhu Ghate says Dhupgarh near Pachmarhi is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. But there are several peaks in Maharashtra, including Mt Kalsubai, that are higher. Pachmarhi is a refreshing change from the crowded Ooty and Mahabaleshwar and we hope it stays that way.
Naresh Rodrigues, Mumbai
David Davidar is being less than adroit in bemoaning the dearth of an "honest biography" seeing the light of day in India. Perhaps publishers like him are no less responsible for this state of affairs. Penguin India lapped up the manuscript of a biographical study of "Gandhi and his women" describing it as "provocative" and "interesting". Yet the publishing house chose to return the manuscript with the remark—"Any analysis of Gandhi’s relationships with the many women who influenced him throughout his life covers delicate ground, one that…we would be reluctant to tread." He must have forgotten the great tradition of the original Penguins as celebrated in Regina vs Penguin Books Ltd. Evidently the simulated and hybrid version lacks a backbone in exploring the uncharted fields of the Indian psyche. Sheela Reddy must be complimented for her Unwritten Chapters (July 2). I agree with her that much was expected from the new crop of historians like S. Subramanyam, who have refused to compromise with the political class for a mess of potage.
Girja Kumar, New Delhi
The review of Gadar (Glitterati, June 25) was pathetic. The critic seems to object to Amisha Patel wearing torn clothes in a chase scene. Well, were women during riots raped after the rioters got their clothes properly stitched and ironed? He should have instead lauded the courage of the producer in putting Rs 18 crore into a period saga, considering the fate of period films a la Hey Ram!, 1947, A Love Story, Train to Pakistan et al.
Mayank Vikas, Ranch