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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 21:20:57 -0400 It is good that we have a provision in the Constitution (Article 356) which can be applied even when a government can prove its majority. The problem with Rabri Devi's government is not just law and order but of complicity of her government to highjack law and order alongwith husband, Laloo Yadav. When the very people who are supposed to support law and order, do the opposite, the state indeed becomes ungovernable -- at least by such politicians. The case in Bihar has been known to independent observers for a long time. The recent murder of a VHP activist, and derailment of trains by RJD leaders of the ruling party further proves this point. This article has been applied 70-odd times by rulers at the Centre from all the parties, who are now opposing it tooth and nail. Is it that when a BJP government is dismissed it is justifiable and when their own party government is dismissed, it is wrong and murder of democracy? May be one good thing that will come out of this is a discussion as to when the provisions of this article should be applied and when not. If the Constitution needs to be changed to bring good governments, that option should be thoroughly explored. It's a pity that democracy and secularism have only become slogans which are used to mislead the people. The focus should instead be on good governance, strong law and order where average law-abiding citizen are safe, and criminals afraid. This will definitely lead to prosperity. So in my opinion, the President should approve this recommendation to impose President's rule in the state so that the criminal elements supported by Laloo, Mulayam and others can be brought to justice.
Date sent: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 06:43:07 +1000 What a phenomenal waste of time for a country that has to make so many strides to reduce poverty, improve infrastructure and improve the living conditions in urban areas. If a state government has to be dismissed for law and order, it has to be done. The whole political class seems to be concerned about Laloo's government. Instead, if they focused each on one action item about India's development, we would definitely be better off. Shame on India's politicians. Is a single one reading this letter? Narain Viswanathan
Date sent: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 10:45:13 -0700 I am surprised to read about the cries of the champions of democracy -- Yadavs, Leftists and the Congress -- on the Union Cabinet's decision to recommend President's rule in Bihar. It is all the more surprising to see a Janata Dal delegation led by I K Gujral, whose state unit has been continuously demanding the removal of the Rabri Devi government. These very people shamelessly dissolved the UP government less than a year ago. The Congress has been the biggest culprit on this front. Although imposing President's rule in any state is very unfortunate, the story of Bihar is quite different. Even a peon in government requires some academic background, yet Bihar has a chief minister who is not only illiterate but without any background in administration and politics. Nobody will even like to hand over his small business to such a lady, but Laloo gave her chief ministership. This is a cruel joke on democracy. Unfortunately, politicians from the Congress and Janata Dal have misruled Bihar so much in the past that even an able and dedicated administration led by the best statesman of India can't improve it easily. The law and order situation of Bihar can't be compared with that of UP, Maharashtra and Delhi. That's why, the parents, fearing the safety of their children, send them to other states for studies. In fact, the schools run by the Birla Education Trust in Pilani (Rajasthan) are full of students from Bihar. I have a friend from Bihar who was offered fellowship for research in chemistry by a very reputed group in USA, but he could not find a teaching job in a degree college in his state as he did not have money to buy the job. One of my relatives, after being kidnapped, moved his industry out of Bihar. Such incidents are very common in Bihar. I am sure others who have talked to their friends from Bihar are aware of such incidents. Unfortunately, our politicians who are crying for the Rabri Devi government are either unaware of these facts or ignoring them. It is the duty of Indian politicians and the President to find cure of the evils of Bihar, otherwise it would weaken the federal structure of India.
Dr Sunil Kumar
Date sent: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 06:32:09 -0700 I have always held myself from writing on this issue, but could not any further as I felt the undeserving Yadavs were getting too much attention. The above issue needs to be read in two angles. Bihar government: Everybody knows there is virtually no law in Bihar. What the BJP is trying to do is to remove the non functioning RJD government and try and get some order in Bihar. Everybody knows that train journeys in Bihar are not possible without experiencing the menace of goondas. If President's rule is being imposed then the general public are for it and they strongly support it. The entire Indian people know this and hence there is no reason why the corrupt RJD should rule in that state. The Yadavs: Again, the entire Indian junta knows the credit worthiness of Laloo and Mulayam. Laloo in his younger days was a union leader. Mulayam, I think is only concerned with appeasing the Muslims. We should stop giving coverage to these people. They thrive on their dramatics. I don't think any educated person in the whole country will vote for them. They get all their votes from uneducated masses who are swayed by them. I humbly request Rediff to stop giving these two any coverage and hence live up to Rediff's name of a creditworthy and prestigious news magazine. Ajay Gannerkote
Date sent: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 13:51:22 -0400 The Bihar government should be dismissed. There should not be an election for the next two years in Bihar. Shrikant
Date sent: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 15:10:19 -0700 It appears that Mr Ahmed is in Patna with both his eyes and ears closed. To say that RJD is fighting "democratically" is a big joke. If the RJD was fighting democratically and morally, we would not see this day. It is about time we get rid of people like Laloo Prasad and Rabri Devi. These people have taken the most prosperous state and reduced it to ruins. Gaurang R Desai
Date sent: Sun, 10 May 1998 12:58:42 -0700 I've read Prem's article on Navalkar's actions -- readers' reactions, and Prem's reaction to readers' reactions. Now Prem, I usually appreciate your cricketing and other articles immensely, as do most people (you'll notice that the tide of popular support is with you constantly!), but as a widely travelled (Asia, Africa, Europe, North America) yet young Indian, let me dare to make the following points about all the writings on this subject: The first wide perception is that there are other perversions in the country such as terrible poverty, etc...how can we concentrate on such frivolities as Navalkar is dedicating his time to? I think this is ridiculous -- a government has to address all issues, and I don't think that anybody, Navalkar included, feels that poverty is less important than a Savage Garden concert. It sure as hell needs most concentration, but Navalkar has not been assigned to deal with poverty upliftment programmes, has he? Shall we throw all down the tube -- research, defence, etc and concentrate on poverty only -- obviously not, because they're all interwined -- including the cultural ethos of a nation that Navalkar is not trying to preserve, but resurrect. That's an important distinction. The second perception is that there is plenty more homegrown vulgarity in Indian films than in the Savage Garden concert. Well, sure. I didn't hear Navalkar okaying the homegrown vulgarity at all -- I'm sure he'd have a harsh word or two to say about it. I also don't think it's a question of double standards either, I mean, this government has only been in power for a few months. Besides, circumstances reveal that the Indian film industry has *a lot* of clout with all and sundry due to their financial muscle, much like high-tech firms in America do. They are also going tantalisingly close but are careful not to cross the censors' guidelines. Anyway, I think we need to wait and watch before judging if there's any sort of double standards. The third perception, as per Prem's response to a reader's opinion, is that the "West is just catching up to us....Kama Sutra, Kama Shastra,...frolicking in the fields....bathing nude with women in the villages...etc." Well that's all good and well for you, Prem, and I'm happy that you're living such a liberated life. But even in that sense, there's no display being made of anything -- trust me friend, a Savage Garden concert is really not related to any of these things you claim in your letter. There is a battle of cultures going on globally, from Bombay to Lusaka in Zambia to Paris in France. And Pop/Rock/American/MTV culture is winning. Zubin Mehta said something in the version that "Japan became rich, but lost its soul, I hope that in its quest for wealth India doesn't lose its soul." I admire a lot in traditional African culture, and in middle-class Indian values. I don't think that our society need transition into American society or whatever western society and it's well on its way. And I'm as staunchly against poverty and the need to do something about it as any of you. It might be very politically correct to talk about freedom, and it might give your ego a boost to say "I'll kiss my girl wherever I want to, man!" but, call me a conservative drip if you must -- I too don't want to see India lose its soul -- a process that started centuries ago. Madhukar Murthi
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1998 00:00:09 +0800 I agree 100 per cent with this observation. Sad that we had to see an example to realise this simple fact. Joshy George
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 18:11:41 +0530 Your views on the law and order situation and the Srikrishna Report is very pertinent. What is important is that the blame has been placed on Bal Thackeray's doorstep. I only hope and pray, in spite of the frustration of such people coming to power in this city, state and the country at large, that some day such things will not repeat as blatantly as we have witnessed. Let us live and let live for God's sake! MFD
Date sent: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 15:45:42 -0700 I feel this policy is absurd and DOT and VSNL are scared of competition. Locked in their own red tapism and nepotism, they are sure that they will not be able to compete with the technology and service offered by the privatisation move. Can anyone forget the woes and pain that is endured before getting a simple telephone connection? Considering the infrastructure available in western countries and the speed and quality of service, every Indian who visits these places longs for such service within India and also dreams how India would be if such things "really happened" within the country. With commerce and trading -- changing the way it is -- India in order to place itself in a comfortable position for the 21st century should allow healthy competition within the " service sector." I would have been happier if DOT or VSNL had adapted to this type of a strategy if we were not worth it. But today most IT jobs are bagged by Indians and it is time we stood up and rose to the occasion by providing such wonderful services. We need to grow and mature with time. With globalisation of the economy, infrastructure is the first thing we need to improve upon. Like Gandhi, every Indian now has a dream of making India technologically sound by providing good infrastructural facilities, and it is time both DOT, VSNL and all governmental agencies bootstrap their approach.
S Ramakrishnan
Date sent: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 15:52:30 -0500 I'm a masters student in computer science and engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas, USA. This is in reply to the article "Calling for an educational emergency." It was very interesting and I was surprised see an article which has stuff I dream every day. After coming to the US, you realise how much potential India and Indians has. The whole Indian education system has to be changed. If I'm correct there's an age limit for admission in colleges in India. Since I'm doing my masters here I happen to study with working middle-aged people to people who have grand children. The Indian education system has to be changed, somewhat similar to the US where you have no age limit and have the freedom to take any courses. Only after coming here I realised how our college semester system has courses which are hardcoded and you are bound to study only those courses. I remember passing some courses without even understanding the subject and wasting a lot of precious time. Also in the US we can skip summer without taking any courses and work outside making money for the rest of the semesters. Even during normal semesters students work on campus and outside and make money to support themselves. In India parents give their hard earned money sacrificing for their kids. India should adapt to this system. Every student in India should work while studying. This way they will realise the value of money and time. Admissions should be based on merit. It'll also relieve the parent's tension of getting their kids admitted immediately after high school. Students in the US works either as an GRA or GTA and pay their own tuition fees. And here the atmosphere is so nice that it's fun working in a cafeteria or a post office or where ever. So students studying in US and other countries should take the initiative of making these ideas reach India and make India a better place. Solayappan Alagappan
Date sent: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 16:38:02 -0700 Very good feature. Nice to propagate new talent and let people know the real face behind the popular song. Good work.
Sunit Katkar
Date sent: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 00:18:44 -0700 GREAT... THERE SHOULD BE MORE LIKE 'EM.
Date: Tue, 04 Aug 1998 12:47:21 -0700 We enjoyed the beautiful photographs/slides.
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1998 10:12:30 -0500 I really enjoyed A Ganesh Nadar's piece on Courtallam Falls. Makes me want to visit the place. Exposure to destinations that the guide books don't cover is a good idea. I do question the use of "feet" in describing the magnitude of heights and depths in his article. India has long been a metric country. The reason I point this out is that Nadar is used to square kilometres and metres as they appear elsewhere in his article. Thanks and keep up the good work on your excellent web site. Krishna Kambhampaty How Readers responded to Ashwin Mahesh's earlier columns
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