Move on, India

Move on, India
The Supreme Court of India has given a mature decision in looking after the interests of all fraternities by dividing the land in Ayodhya in three sections (‘In 2-1 verdict, HC splits Ayodhya land 3 ways. Country stays calm’, DNA, October 1). Hopefully all the groups — the Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhara and the party representing Ram Lalla Virajman — will be pleased. This is also the time for us to ponder about: why was there so much tension in the country prior to the judgement?

The entire country was mesmerised by the
decision over the 2.7 acres of land in Ayodhya. Offices across the country shut at 2pm, as a precaution against possible violence.

We should keep religion in our private lives, and get on with the task of building and modernising India. We should stop being obsessed with temples, mosques and churches. We should focus on building bridges, roads, highways, new towns, universities, modernising villages, etc.
—Rajendra K Aneja, Dubai
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Talks with Pakistan
Pakistan foreign minister SM Qureshi’s offer for talks is not sincere, but the sole purpose is to hoodwink the international community. India should tell Pakistan in unequivocal terms that sincerity should be a prelude to the talks. To demonstrate its sincerity, Pakistan should act on 26/11 suspects immediately and stop making references to Kashmir at the UN. It is high time we took a tough stand on this matter.
—KRP Gupta,  via email
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English-speaking maids
It is a welcome move by the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University to initiate English-speaking classes for the maids who have become an inseparable part of our daily routines (‘English-speaking maid or quality of work?’, DNA, September 28). They are a boon to all those who need someone to help out in the household chores, right from doing the house, getting provisions, vegetables, dropping children to school, and so on.

We have indeed become very dependent on them. It is an unorganised sector and hardly any rules prevail to govern their welfare. But will they have enough time to attend classes and study on their own? Will they take it in the right perspective? With the government strongly
advocating Right to Education, this seems a step in that direction. Let’s wait and see how much this move actually helps.
—Deepak Agharkar, via email