Problems of potholes

Problems of potholes
This is a humble request to the BMC; please retain a 2km stretch of pot-holed road for the benefit of people who want to learn how to drive cars/bikes in the near future. This will be a great boon to the new drivers as they will get acclimatised to the road conditions before obtaining their license. Also, the road will benefit our orthopaedic surgeons to treat various types of back problems. In due course of time every patient around the globe will visit India to get their back ailments treated as we will have the most competent surgeons. It could also benefit the Municipal Corporation to earn revenue by declaring it as a tourist spot. I am more than sure that foreigners will throng to experience the pleasure of moon-walking.
—Annu Viswanath, Thane

II
This is with reference to 'Potholes of perdition', (August 4). It is a shame that people who pay their taxes regularly have to bear such pathetic roads and such poor services from the BMC. This is also leading to very high expenditure as the potholes increase the cost of maintaining a vehicle and one also has to pay bribes to the BMC employees. As a local staying in Mumbai we should make sure that BMC does its job properly.
—Avanish Rao, Mumbai

A wake up call
I just want to thank DNA for its in-depth information, especially the Sunday Mag section. It deals beautifully with current affairs. I also welcome the new look of DNA. The report 'Are you lonesome tonight?' (August 3) was a wake up call for Mumbai. When a child is born in depressed environment, he is sure to grow up depressed. In Mumbai people may get instant solutions but they are not permanent. Albert Einstein wrote ‘Nothing that I can do will change the structure of universe. But may be by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all cause - goodwill among men and peace on earth’.
—Niti Kulkarni, via email

Spotting the fakes
Apropos 'Traffic cops face identity crisis, thanks to fakes', (August 2), it is a great initiative by DNA to warn the general public. It would be a big help if somebody can give the general public some tips on how to avoid such situations. How many people know the details of police uniforms to know if they are real or fake? I also request a clarification from a legal point of view regarding carrying the original RC book and original insurance certificate, especially for interstate travel. I remember reading a judge remarking that carrying originals is not mandatory. Photocopies are acceptable. Could some legal eagle help by giving the judgement reference? Section 158 of the Indian Motor Vehicle act only says that originals are to be produced in case of an accident within 7 days. There is a growing tribe of interstate car travellers and a clarification
will be beneficial so that the people are not harassed unnecessarily.
—Nari Vanwari,k via email

Karnataka politics
Apropos 'Old Yeddy's Buddy piggyback's to power', (August 4), the sordid drama that has  unfolded so far in Bengaluru until it culminated in the crowning of the outgoing chief minister's confidant as the new head of state has exposed the inability of the BJP high command to discipline its own members. That it could not prevent this speaks volume of the party and its hold over the state. All does not seem to be well with the chief minister designate with reports of his involvement in a scam. So it will not be surprising if BS Yeddyurappa springs back to power sooner than the six months he had indicated.
—V Subramanyan, via email

Learn the basic rules
It has become fashionable nowadays to blame Indian cricketers and the BCCI for any issue in international cricket. Further, coaches/cricketers with limited knowledge about the Indian psyche or knowledge are airing their views. Andy Flower has no business to predict how Mumbai spectators would have reacted if Sachin would have been dismissed like Bell ('If an Indian was dismissed like Bell...', August 4) Sachin has his basics right, after every ball/every run he makes it a point to ground his bat within the crease. First, Bell was extremely stupid by walking away. Even after that it was sporting of Dhoni to recall Bell. Instead of predicting the reaction of Indian spectators in hypothetical situations, maybe Flower should spend time teaching the Englishmen the basics of cricket. 
—Gayathri Panicker, via email

Lame excuse
The food inflation in India is mainly due to the limitless corruption spread nationwide. Union law minister Salman Khurshid argument that it was better that there was increase in employment accompanied by inflation rather than unemployment and no inflation is shocking ('Price rise: BJP vents its responsibility on government', August 4). The frequent rise in the bank interest rates by the RBI will never curb this anti-people menace. The only way to stop the food inflation is to stop hoarding, profiteering and black marketing. Can the government do this?
—Hansraj Bhat, Mumbai

A clarification
This is with reference to a series of articles published from July 22 to 24, against BEML Ltd, levelling allegations - including payment of bribes, commissions - and assessing it as Rs750 crore with regard to production and supply of BEML TATRA trucks to the ministry of defence. We would like to point out that VAB which had been acquired by the SIPOX group in Slovakia, was renamed as VAB Sipox a.s and agreed to work with BEML and supply all BEML's requirement from all TATRA plants in Czech and Slovakia. This relationship continues till today.
—BS Sridhar, Dy General Manager (PR), BEML Ltd

Our reporter replies: We note your point but Tatra Sipox (UK) Ltd from which BEML has been buying Tatra trucks components was promoted by Josef Majesky and Venus Projects Limited and not by Sipox group as you have mentioned. Further, when BEML signed agreement with Tatra Sipox (UK) Ltd in 1997, as per its annual returns the latter was involved in business of services such as spiritual, religious, social and not in marketing Tatra trucks as you claim.