Cabinet changes appear to be good
That the prime minister has given enough thought to the wholesale changes made in the Union cabinet is clear from the introduction of as many as 17 new faces among the 22 changes effected.
Cabinet changes appear to be goodThat the prime minister has given enough thought to the wholesale changes made in the Union cabinet is clear from the introduction of as many as 17 new faces among the 22 changes effected. Of particular significance is stripping Kapil Sibal of his HRD ministry, which is a well-deserved ‘reward’ for his outlandish handling of higher education in the country. The IITs were proliferated indiscriminately from five to fifteen leading to a perceptible fall in their standards. He went further and meddled with JEE that was being conducted smoothly for over six decades. One hopes that the new minister, Pallam Raju, with Sashi Tharoor, will undo the damage done by Sibal. It is good that the external affairs portfolio has gone to Salman Khurshid who can be expected to tackle the Pakistani lady foreign minister much better without capitulating before her. With all his tall claims that he had ‘great chemistry’ with Heena Rabbani Khar, the fact remains that SM Krishna allowed himself to be dominated by her in their last meeting without asserting our position on 26/11 and Kashmir. All in all, the changes appear good, notwithstanding the expected criticism of the BJP.—V Subramanyan, Thane IIDue to large-scale corruption and rise in the prices of essential commodities, the Congress has lost its credibility. The party is now wedded to corruption and this cabinet reshuffle is just a face-saving exercise to revamp its lost image. Andhra Pradesh has got a lion’s share with six ministers and this makes it evident that the party wants to recover its lost vote base there. But many would ask why Rahul Gandhi has not been inducted in the ministry? Perhaps, he would be announced as the Congress nominee for the post of PM in 2014.—NR Ramachandran, Chennai Stern action required This has reference to ‘Raid at SoBo pub, 21 booked’ (Oct 28). The Mumbai Police authorities deserve all kudos for raiding LIV pub and managing to book at least some of those who were partying beyond the stipulated hours. The MRA Marg police would have been able to book many more of those party-animals had not a couple connived to facilitate the escape of others. The police authorities need to be quite stern with such law-breakers and not yield to undue pressure exerted by the so-called rich ‘celebrities’. It is a chilling fact that most of the gruesome road accidents which occur during the wee hours are caused by inebriated party-goers. The aam aadmi will always be grateful to the authorities if they give punishment to such pub-owners and their clients.—V Chandramohan, MumbaiOutrageous picture This has reference to ‘Pigging out in Segovia” (Oct 28). The article contained the picture of a roasted pig which is outrageous. I don’t understand the need to publish such pictures in newspapers. Can you tell me what is so beautiful about an incised, roasted pig? Being a vegetarian, I believe that all beings on earth has a right to live. Please restrain from showing such visuals as there is no fun in killing, roasting and eating a weaker animal than you. —Sushma, via e-mail