Same old story of the blast

Thanks for telling us about our Lok Ayukta
The front page report, ‘Do you know who is your Lok Ayukta?’ (September 9), was informative. It is rather surprising that many of us do not know the Lok Ayukta of our state. What is shocking is that even some of our activists, social workers and MLAs are not aware of who our Lok Ayukta is. Frankly speaking, I too, thought it was Johny Joseph.

All this is because the concept of Lok Ayukta has not been adequately projected and its importance and utility have not been duly highlighted. It is only because of Anna Hazare that the office of Lok Ayukta has been the talking point all over the country and made a colossal impact on the Indian minds. The media is also partly responsible for not propagating the office of Lok Ayukta, which has been functioning since 1971.

It is good of DNA to have apprised us, in brief, of all the necessary details relating to the prestigious office. It is rather disappointing to note that about 4,000 cases are pending due to absence of a separate investigating agency. It is sincerely felt that the authorities will act swiftly in this regard for the general benefit of the people. What is the use of a ‘justice-giving’ office which is not able to discharge its duties and functions in a full-fledged manner? The very purpose of establishing the office of Lok Ayukta is defeated when it is incapable of delivering the goods.
—Prem K. Menon, Via email

Same old story of the blast
One more bomb blast, one more identical condemnation by the prime minister of the “dastardly” act and the home minister again voicing his suspicions on the culprits. P Chidambaram should know that the public is not interested to know who did it but whether it could have been prevented, what are the precautions for the future and punitive action would be taken on the perpetrators. But in all fairness, he cannot be blamed for the frequent attacks. He is busy among other things, providing logistical support to disgruntled cops in Gujarat, leaving him no time for other less important things like bomb blasts. The buck he made famous some time ago, cannot stop at his door step, but elsewhere. We should only be thankful that, so far, Rahul Gandhi and Digvijay Singh have not made any comment.
—GV  Shankar, Via email
II
As reported after every terrorist attack, our prime minister and home minister hold the routine press conference. Our home minister held a press conference which was very disappointing. Aam admi or common man expected assurance and wanted to know the course of action, solution and steps to be taken for the safety and security of the people but nothing of that was mentioned and as usual we are groping in the dark. This is disgraceful to a great nation like ours where the home minister does not feel irresponsible or guilty for his failure. 

If CCTV cameras had been installed, would there have been no terrorist attack? No doubt there have been many terrorist attacks which are without fear and impunity and our leaders come out with almost routine or tape recorded statement: “We will not bow down to terrorist.” First, we are unable to trace terrorists. Even if we catch them alive, we do not hang or prosecute them immediately. If sentences were carried out promptly, then we would not have Kandahar-like incident.
—SP Sharma, Via email

Team India stumbles as it lacks fitness
With one more defeat in the third One Day match, the chances of India winning the series has evaporated. The main issue behind Team India’s debacle in England was the fitness problem of the key players. We called it ‘bench strength’ but it proved as a spent force in the end. We never cared for physical fitness and half-fit players were given preference over fit players. India’s game plan, if any, has gone haywire because the team captain mainly banks on toss and pitch to hit a purple patch. The top order of the team is scared to bat first after winning the toss and that made them fight back and compelled to play on a wearing wicket in the end and to surrender tamely, without of a semblance of a fight. Scheduling done by BCCI is as per the whims and fancy of the Board. To add salt to the wound, the short-sightedness of the selectors makes matter worse. It is  a testing time for Team India. Heads should roll after the series and real talent, just like that of Ashwin should blossom and the likes of half-hearted approach of Harbhajan Singh should go.
—CK Subramaniam, Via email