Medals reduced to baubles

Medals reduced to baubles
It looks as if those who decide on national awards, including the Bharat Ratna, have lost their sense of discrimination. In the enthusiasm to bestow decorations on the great and the good, medals are reduced to baubles. This process of debasing such honours has now received the official stamp of approval. The gratuitous expansion in the terms of reference of the Bharat Ratna is an example of how people in power give in to popular pressure.  It’s almost self-evident that the highest civilian award of the country should have some gravitas and seriousness attached to it. The decision to expand the terms of reference for the highest civilian award underlines the conclusion that, in general, Indians are devoid of any standards of comparative excellence. The debasement of the currency of awards should be stopped from a free slide down the popularity slope.
—J Akshobhya, Mysore

Parents, be alert
Youngsters spend a considerable time on the internet interacting with strangers through social networking sites and fail to realise that revealing personal details makes them vulnerable and can land them in trouble (‘Dating a sociopath made me insecure and paranoid,’ December 18). It is a cause for worry if a child spends a considerable amount of time on the internet. It is the parents’ duty to ensure that the child is not involved in undesirable activities.
—Ketan Meher, Mumbai

Netas, come clean
Apropos ‘Only 40% of ministers care to declare assets’ (December 20), it is annoying to learn that only 16 out of 40 ministers have declared their assets so far. It also points to the weakness of the chief minister that his year-old appeal for this most important issue stays flouted. It is not any favour that they will do to the chief minister in declaring their assets and liabilities. In fact, the central ministers have also undergone this. Considering the huge scale of corruption amongst the politicians in India, it is imperative that each minister should come clean. Otherwise, there should be a specific legislation as a mandatory requirement as there is no legal binding to follow this stricture. Non-declaration by the remainder of the ministers undoubtedly raises strong apprehension in respect of their integrity and honesty for the public at large.
—Bikram Banerjea, Mumbai

Gita incites extremism
I am shocked to know that the Russian government believes that the Bhagwad Gita incites extremism. The Russian government should know that the Gita is not merely a religious book for and of Hindus but it is based on human psychology for the entire human race, which helps man attain peace of mind under any kind of circumstances. Yes, it does incite extremism, but mainly against Kama, Krodha and Lobha. It also preaches to control Raga and Dvesha. If ego and these main five internal ‘enemies’ can be conquered, peace of mind is easily available anytime, anywhere.
—Hansraj Bhat, Mumbai

An unbearable loss
For the United States, Kim Jong-Il was a despot and a tyrant, but for the brave people of the fiercely independent state of North Korea he was “Dear leader” who had the courage to stand up to the only super power and made his country a nuclear power (‘Kim Jong-Il had a heart. It killed him’ (December 20). Kim’s passing away is an unbearable loss to the tiny nation. He who taught his people how to face the big bully, who unjustifiably calls it a part of the “Axis of Evil”. Let’s hope his son Kim Jong-un will carry the torch lit by his father and grandfather and protect his nation’s integrity and sovereignty.
—KP Rajan, Mumbai

Ambedkar memorial
This refers to DNA’s two articles ‘3 NCP, 2 Cong MLAs suspended from assembly for creating ruckus’ and ‘RPI men turn rail roko protest into phot-op’ in DNA (December 20). The agitation to construct a memorial for Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar seems to be gaining momentum. The government should take immediate steps before the situation takes an ugly turn and goes out of control. The ruckus created by MLAs is a disturbing and shameful act.  This is just a political stunt to garner votes, as BMC elections are round the corner. The government are not interested in giving this land either to mill workers or for constructing a memorial, as this land will fetch them crores of rupees.
—Ibrahim Latif Khan, Mumbai

Double standards
Comments made by Raj Thackeray are an insult to those fighting to merge Belgaum with Maharashtra. When the policy of creating states on linguistic basis was formed, Belgaum, which had more Marathi speaking people should have been a part of Maharashtra. Why doesn’t anyone point out that Kannadiga nameplates have been made mandatory in Belgaum and Marathi nameplates have been removed? When someone tries to do the same in Mumbai he is branded parochial. 
—Abhijit Z, Mumbai

Extreme measures
Tamil Nadu’s politics has taken another curious twist with AIADMK general secretary and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa showing the door to long time aide and confidante V K Sasikala (‘’Po’ from Poes, Amma tells Sasikala’ on December 20). With Sasikala meddling with party affairs and the state government infuriated, Jayalalithaa had to take this extreme step which set off celebrations amongst the AIADMK cadres. The expulsion is a big setback to Sasikala who wielded considerable influence in the party and was seen as Jayalalithaa’s conscience keeper. It will be of interest to see what direction TN’s politics takes after
Sasikala’s exit.
—NJ Ravi Chander, Bangalore