World Kannada Meet a success

World Kannada Meet a success
The World Kannada Meet was inaugurated amidst stellar efforts by all. It is a feather on the cap for BS Yeddyurappa. The speakers were well-selected and delivered sharp speeches that were educational and contributed constructively to the meet. However, the CM could have extended invitations to the chief ministers of the adjoining states too.
—Ganeshan, Sanjaynagar

Shiv Sena menace
It was disturbing to read that the Shiv Sena made a threatening call to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to deter her from attending the World Kannada Meet at Belgaum. It is condemnable that Bal Thackeray, who rakes up the Karnataka-Maharashtra border dispute at the drop of a hat, could stoop this low to attempt this arm twisting. It was commendable of Aishwarya to attend the meet. The Shiv Sena supremo has exhibited a fascist mind set.
M Basavaraj, Vijayanagar

Swaraj reformed
A reformed Sushma Swaraj has brought a welcome change in BJP. Swaraj’s statements, when it was proposed that Sonia Gandhi could become the PM, did not go down well with the moderates. But of late, Swaraj has been following Vajpayee’s footsteps. Vajpayee is respected across political parties because he is a statesman first and a politician second. His oratorical and analytical skills are to be emulated, instead of the hate speeches that the newer leaders indulge in, loaded with personal animosity rather than objective comments. Swaraj is well-advised to tread this path.
—T Vidyadhar, Bangalore
Help Japan
Long years of preparedness and expertise in dealing with quakes in Japan probably saved thousands of lives after Friday’s superquake. But even that finely-honed response system could not prevent the trail of death, destruction and horror the 8.9 magnitude quake and the 10 metre high tsunami left in their wake.

Even for a nation where earthquakes are a way of life,the sheer size and scale of this disaster will take some time to comprehend. The international community should waste no time and effort and rally solidly behind the tsunami-ravaged nation with relief, rescue and aid to put Japan back on its feet. The Indian government on its part should also pitch in and extend Tokyo all possible assistance.
—NJ Ravi Chander, Fraser Town,

End corruption
‘Corruption, competition pinning Karnataka down’ (Mar 12) brought to readers a very forthright statement from Mohandas Pai. A new government that comes to power finds out how people in the previous government made money and improves on that system. The Lokayukta’s recommendations to the government to proceed against corrupt officials had fallen on deaf ears. Scores of bureaucrats caught in cases of corruption were suspended but soon thereafter they were reinstated, sometimes in the same post. Lokayukta should be empowered to take a person accused of corruption to court without having to seek government permission. The success of Bangalore’s private patronage has encouraged rural politicians in the state to use whatever means they can to catch up. This has to stop.
—MM Gurbaxani, Wheelers Road

India’s loss
The dramatic win of Protease in Nagpur by three wickets with two balls to spare is indeed writing on the wall for Team India. Losing nine wickets for mere 29 runs cost Team India dearly. A lot more should be done for improvement in the bowling front, if India wants to be on the reckoning in the World Cup.
—HP Murali, Rajajinagar