Indian behaviour

Indian behaviour
Delhi and its residents are being trained to be on their best behaviour to welcome the C’wealth games (Delhiites should change behaviour before Commonwealth games, DNA, September 22). But in spite of the ‘keep city clean’ requests and laws penalising offenders, we are still far away from our intended goals. Every day we come across people spitting, urinating, littering and smoking in public places.
—Ashutosh Bordekar, Mumbai

Wrong impressions
This has reference to item Can I take back my words, (DNA, September 21). The item carries a line “Azad criticised states as ‘bloody state governments’ for being slack in controlling H1N1”. The actual words used by me were ‘Bloody, hum Yahan 20-24 ghante kaam karte hain aur aap baithe hue hain’. Your newspaper translated it as “while we at the Centre are bloody slogging till late night, states are taking it easy”. While the choice of the word ‘bloody’ may be unfortunate it is also true that it was not directed towards the states. It is unfortunate that the depiction in the item does not reflect the correct meaning and creates an erroneous impression.
—Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union minister of health & family welfare, New Delhi

Need for cycles
With reference to ‘Set to roll on the right track’, (DNA.Speakup, September 22), I believe it is essential that Mumbai develops the infrastructure necessary to ensure the safety of cyclists. Considering the hazards of global warming, more citizens need to start using cycles. Apart from the planet’s health, the benefits of cycling to one’s own health are also well known. However, due to the risk of being run over by heavy vehicles, separate lanes need to be demarcated and like skywalks, elevated cycle trails are also an option. Socially-responsible corporates should come forward to help. In addition, the city should also consider creating velodromes-cum-jogging tracks.
—Sanjay Lokur, Mumbai

Support the girl child
Apropos your report ‘More working women, more GDP’, by Naveeta Singh (DNA, September 23), it is indeed an appreciative initiative to encourage female work force to contribute to rise the GDP. Birth of baby-girl is considered a sorrowful news and accepted as a burden so  she feels neglected. This can make her take vengeance, as a mother in law. It is therefore important to accord basic recognition to a girl child. I hope the government comes up with some incentives, to ensure that the  efforts of organisations working for the betterment of the girl child yield good results.
—Ashok K Nihalani, Mumbai