First things first, please
I welcome the decision of the Railways to cushion the train seats of second class compartments. However, commuters have other problems which need to be addressed immediately. The government needs to improve the punctuality of the trains, they need to ensure clean compartments and additional ticket counters at peak hours, clean platforms and lavatories and security of female passengers.
— KVenugopalan, via e-mail
Lost faith in Team Anna
When Digvijay Singh said the RSS is supporting Anna Hazare’s crusade against corruption, critics asked him to visit a mental asylum. Now the RSS chief has admitted that his party has been a part of Anna’s stir. Public figures like Bal Thackeray and Justice Santosh Hegde has disapproved the way Team Anna is making headlines. A member of the team has said that Anna is above the Parliament. Anna and his team seem to be more against the Congress than corruption. The support people had extended to Anna and his team,is against corruption which is rampant and firmly entrenched in our society. I do not believe that Anna and his team can eradicate corruption in India.
— S S Nair, Mumbai
II
Anna’s vow of silence is aimed at his team members who, of late are suffering from the foot-in-the-mouth disease. Rhetoric alone will not bring results. The team should have worked behind the scene to build a solid organisation at the grassroots level. Fighting corruption is serious business and should be brought about winning the hearts and minds of the masses and not by winning a few extra debating points over politicians. Even people who went all out in support of Anna are disappointed with the lack of discipline in the ranks of his team.
— Ravindranthan PV, Bengaluru
Build hospitals instead of statues, Mayawati
If Mayawati had real concern for the welfare of the Dalits and the downtrodden, she should not have wasted a whopping Rs700 crore on a statues and sthals. She should have known her priorities. With these resources, had she constructed schools, colleges, sophisticated hospitals, provided water and electricity connections, then the poor would have certainly blessed her. What a waste of money. It’s outrageous.
— Crishna Kumar, Mumbai
BJP should condemn Yeddyurappa’s actions
68-year-old former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa who built the BJP into a formidable force in Karnataka and formed its first government in the south, was arrested on charges of illegally garnering prize real estate for himself and his family has been shifted to ICU of Jayadeva Hospital, after he complained of chest pain. I am unable to understand why acorrupt politician likehim, who has been healthy all this time, was having playing ‘chor-sipahi’ (missing for four hours) with the police. To save the party image, it’s the duty of BJP’s top brass to condemn the actions of Yeddyurappa, the country’s first politician to be convicted by a Lokayukta court. Will the BJP have such courage?
—Bidyut Chatterjee, Faridabad
II
It’s time to clean up your act
Though the beleaguered former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa withstood fierce intra-rivalries from the day one, he is innocent until proved guilty. It is a lesson to all politicians who are enjoying to introspect lest they face the music. This is only a beginning, with many more bigwigs across the country being brought to book, provided the cases are pursued with honesty. There is a long list of scams which should be followed with dedication to cleanse our system.
— HP Murali, Bengaluru
Please have a green Diwali this year
Since childhood, we have been taught about the detrimental effects of pollution. But what happens when we grow up? We are aware of the ill effects that these fire crackers cause but we choose to ignore this during festival time. On such an auspicious day of Diwali, we contribute extensively to global warming. We even spend money to contribute to the disaster. It’s time to stop this hypocrisy and be considerate about the environment and the long-term effects of pollution on our health.
— Amit Prakash, Mumbai
II
Thanks to DNA for launching its ‘Volume kam kar’ campaign. I sincerely hope that the contents of the article, ‘Cut out the noise, please’ will have the desired effect on every conscious human being who cares for his fellow beings. Noise pollution beyond a certain level is harmful, especially to the sick, aged and infants in particular. Besides, even animals are found to become restless and scared due to high pitch sounds. What is striking is that desspite its ill-effects, ambient noise in most parts of the city far exceeds the norms set by the government. The noise levels even at ‘silent zones’ are unbearable and well beyond the permissible levels. No religious festival advocates this. It would be great if we could celebrate in an eco-friendly way. It is the duty of each one of us to act upon it.
— Prem Menon, Mumbai
Comments