Money better spent

Money better spent
It was very interesting that the Mumbai police force have approached fashion designer Manish Malhotra to design a chic uniform for the cops. (‘Dressed to kill: Mumbai police aim for chic look’, DNA, May 21). But what is required more is a shift in their attitude towards the public. So I request the authorities not to waste public money and utilise the funds to get better equipment for the force to improve their efficiency.
—SG Shenoy, Mumbai

Basic development
I wholeheartedly agree with the views expressed in ‘The state must act’, (DNA, May 20) that the state can’t abandon security and opt for development. It is, however, pertinent to note in this context that even after ten central five-year-plans in post-Independence era, many interior parts of the nation don’t have basic infrastructure like communicable roads, schools, elementary health facilities, ration shops and even potable water. Therefore it is necessary that the central planning commission and its state counterparts conduct a techno-economic survey of these backward tribal areas and devise a time-bound programme to provide aforementioned basic facilities.
—Arvind G Nadkarni, via email

The children’s progress
The article ‘Sibal’s kiss of death’, (DNA, May 21) was not in good taste. The writer fails to see the positive aspects of the RTE Act. He should understand that the government is not foolish to impose it and has done so only for the betterment of the society. It should be taken into consideration that children detained in the same class are committing suicides or seeking help for stress-related problems such as depression. I feel the government has taken the right step of imposing the no-failure policy. If we want our country to flourish, don’t stop the progress of children, let them move ahead and be successful. The world is moving fast, why hold back the bright prospects of children who are our country’s future.
—Khushveer Singh Rathod, via email

Avoiding monsoon mayhem
Apropos, ‘Are we prepared this time?’, (DNA.Speak Up, May 24), with monsoon round the corner, there is a need for the concerned authorities to upgrade their services in the city. At many places open drains are full of garbage and need to be cleaned as this causes water blockages. They should also look to providing better transportation during monsoons so that the people will not be stranded. The authorities must also have in place procedures to evacuate people living in low lying areas. They sshould be ready to face the monsoon, instead of playing the blame game when it rains.
—Cajetan Peter D’Souza, Mumbai