No space left for pedestrians
This refers to your recent article on the need for footpaths in our city. I firmly endorse the requirement, since this is the only space left for the pedestrian. Footpaths also help the smooth movement of traffic. On Marol-Maroshi road, the open drains had been covered with elevations, about a foot higher than the road, which ideally served as a convenient footpath. However, they were quickly encroached upon, and now we have hawkers peddling their wares — from vegetable sellers, to bike and shoe fixers, and make-shift barbers. These hawkers have pushed the pedestrians on to the path of oncoming vehicles.
—W Dsouza, Mumbai
Are they soldiers or cannon fodder?
India has faced a threat from China since the sixties. The war in 1962 should have been an eye-opener for all of us. It’s a very disappointing situation when the poor, the hungry and the unemployed are being roped in for positions of combatants and eventually used as canon fodder. This is a pathetic display of military professionalism in planning. The key lies in engaging the local population around the border area to our advantage. China cannot be taken lightly at any level and they have to be engaged in bilateral talks bereft of US interest. The grouse China has against India is our involvement with the Tibetan cause. Diplomacy with discretion will only help in this case.
—Enoch Ajgarni, Mumbai
Keeping pace with changing times
India, like other developing nations, needs to mature at a tremendous pace to feed its increasing numbers and satisfy the enormous demands for shelter, water and energy that the numbers place on it. There can be little doubt about the complexity of the world baby Nargis has inherited. Thankfully, it is not little Nargis but emerging giants like India that have to find solutions to these problems.
—J Akshay, Bangalore
Govt benefits from every price hike
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari is being disingenuous when he says, “The price of petrol is decided by the oil companies, after the decontrol of the pricing mechanism,” in DNA, on November 2. He conveniently forgets the role of the taxes, imposed by his government, in the pricing of petrol. Furthermore, he opportunely overlooks the fact that the government also stands to benefit substantially with every price increase. The central government seems confident of managing regulation noises that would emanate again from the BJP and the CPM. The public is aware that the oil companies in India are the sources of corruption for the politicians, bureaucrats and managers holding sensitive postings in the company. Hence, the talk of a further increase in petrol prices should be strongly resisted. It is time for our oil companies to be audited on the basis of standardised cost efficiencies to determine their index of corruption. One hopes that, at least, India Against Corruption is listening to this.
—Hanif Murad, via email
Mass on schedule at St Michael’s Church
I read with great sorrow the report that All Souls Day was postponed at St Michael’s Church. The claim that monetary considerations prompted us to do so amounts to defamation. The devotees who gather here in faith are deeply disturbed. For the record, the day was observed as scheduled with all solemnity. You have done discredit to the Christians by listening to a few disgruntled and misinformed persons.
—Fr Salvador Rodrigues, Parish priest, St Michael’s Church
II
Your report On November 2 about All Souls’ Day being shifted to November 3 at St Michael’s Church, Mahim, was incorrect. All the masses were offered for the souls in purgatory and there was no change in the liturgy. Only the blessing of the graves was kept for November 3 because of the huge crowds, not for monetary gain. Our novena is not held to make money but to offer prayers to God and thank Him for all that He does for us. This novena is attended not only by Catholics, but also by thousands of people of other faiths.
—Dominic Savio Fernandes, via email
Forget about fairness, America is with Israel
This is in connection to the welcome gesture by United Nations Education and Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in according membership to Palestine. It is an eminent recognition for solving the crisis of the Middle East and develop Palestine into a peaceful province. However, Israel’s attack on Gaza is unjust after the prisoner swap deal and high articulation to resume normalcy in both the regions. America has acted in favour of Israel by cutting the budget to
UNESCO.
—Syed Khaja, New Delhi
Anna should consider a different strategy
Anna Hazare is committing a tactical mistake in threatening to go on an indefinite fast again if the UPA government does not pass the Jan Lok Pal bill in the winter session of the Parliament. The media is not likely to give them any kind of support. His team will be inhibited to go all out this time because of the controversies associated with some of the members. The hawks in the union cabinet and the Congress might prod the PM to take a tough stand this time. The net result will be that the anti-corruption crusade will lose its iconic leader or he may lose his prestige if the fast fizzles out. Instead of fasting again, Anna Hazare should actively campaign against the parties that do not support the bill and see to it that they are defeated convincingly. That is the only thing that will make the political parties sit up and take him seriously.
—VS Kaushik, Bangalore
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