Fraud shatters confidence

Fraud shatters confidence
There is no doubt that the image of Indian companies has taken a severe beating in the international arena by the exposure of the Satyam scandal. The fraud committed by B Ramalinga Raju has shattered the confidence of investors in India. But India will surely bounce back as our fundamentals are very strong, particularly in the IT sector.
—Tharcius S Fernando , Chennai

Infotainment
 This is with reference to Sidharth Bhatia’s column ‘What about the media, then?’ (DNA.Sunday, January 11), I agree with the writer when he says that journalists nowadays depend more on press releases and less on critical assessment of the companies they cover.

I feel, with private treaties, alliances and crossholdings and the like, this problem will only be compounded in the future. I feel unlike in the past, today in several cases the marketing department has become more prominent in a media companies. Soon our papers would be churning out nothing but infotainment.
—Tarun Nangia, via email 

Complacent public
After the terror attacks in Mumbai, mass opinion was against politicians. The slogan “enough is enough” resonated the city. But barely a month later Sanjay Dutt who was arrested for having connections to the bomb blasts in Mumbai 15 years ago is being considered for nomination as an MP from Lucknow. 

The Congress Party too has selected Baba Bodke who has a criminal record as a candidate. Both Dutt and Bodke are out on bail.  But Dr Binayak Sen, a social worker, has been languishing in jail without bail for last 19 months. He was booked for ‘aiding’ Naxalites - a crime that he apparently did not commit.

So, what politics and what justice are we  talking about? When is ‘enough’ really ‘enough’ for India’s complacent and ineffective public and media?
—Sherna Gandhy, Pune

Welcome news
With recent troubles such as the Mumbai terrorist attacks, financial meltdown and the Satyam episode almost had us disbelieve the slogan, Satyameva Jayathe. In this time of turmoil the news of Rahman winning an award  at the international level is most welcome.

The Chennai based composer who worked on many films which had Mumbai as the theme — Slumdog Millionaire too is based on life in Mumbai — has a strange bond with the city. Like the spirit of the city, his music too reflects never-say-die spirit.
—TS Gopal, Chennai