letters to the editor

Despite clear directions from the Supreme Court to the states to take severe action against the so-called cow vigilantes who take law unto their hands and lynch people, it is unfortunate that three such vigilantes have attacked an auto rickshaw driver and a minor boy suspected of transporting beef in Faridabad.

It is alleged that the duo including a minor was brutally beaten up and an attempt was made to set them afire. It is a tragedy that the accused who were arrested after proper identification from the video clips of the incident managed to secure bail within hours of their arrest thanks to the invocation of lenient sections against them by the police.

When the law enforcing officers themselves fail to perform their duties in an impartial manner and act with scant determination to bring the culprits to books, how can we expect these lumpens to get the right punishment they deserve? Will the Apex Court intervene to bring justice to the affected?

Yvonne Fernando, Chennai

The pre-quarter-final match between England and Japan in the ongoing U-17 World Cup, which was played at the Salt Lake Stadium at Kolkata, was decided by a penalty shoot-out. The match was won by England with the score reading 5-3 on penalties as the score-line was 0-0 after regular time. But what was interesting was that the penalty shoot-out was resorted to immediately after the 90-minute play ended.

It is pertinent to note that in the sub-continent if a match in the knock-out stage ends in a draw after the regular time, the teams have to play an extra 30 minutes for a result and the penalties are resorted to only if the extra-time does not yield a result. Playing for 120 minutes (90 + 30 minutes extra time) can be very exhausting for the players. Football matches in the country, be it the I-League or the Indian Super League (ISL) or local club matches need to follow the rules of FIFA and have penalty shoot-out immediately after the regular 90-minute play if a match ends in a draw without resorting to extra-time.

Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco

The BJP Government in Goa wants to promote local languages but at the same time wants to impose GST on Konkani Tiatr and cancel Konkani awards. How can you promote local languages while killing art and culture? Art and culture forms the foundation to develop any language and by imposing tax and not recognising the talents of the local artist the Government will encourage more people to leave Goa and settle elsewhere where they have more freedom to express their talents and are free to read, write, speak, dress, eat and drink anything that they choose without fear.

Matias Lobo, Oman

The United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's crucial India visit on October 24, as part of his five-nation tour, portends well for accelerating the progress made in the US-India  relations. Tillerson's visit assumes great significance because India would be keen to know  the impact  Prime Minister Narendra Modi's June visit to the US has had on the Trump administration. His visit is being looked forward with great expectation for another reason: Tillerson's effusive encomiums  on India during a recent address to the Centre of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) at Washington. 

In his speech titled "Defining our Relationship with India for the next century", the SOS describing India as a "reliable partner" must have pleased New Delhi. Tillerson seemed straight and clear when he mentioned the word "partner" referring to India 33 times as he went on to mount a scathing attack on China. While describing India as mature and responsible, the SOS deplored Beijing's attempts to hegemonise the South China sea. India's reputation as a law-abider is nothing new, but being openly hailed by a top US diplomat should warm the cockles of India's top leaders.

However, Washington has to walk the talk on its statements on India because merely  eulogising New Delhi may not mean much if course-correction is not done.  Tillerson, who will also go to Islamabad, may have to answer a few uncomfortable questions on Washington's stand on Pakistan especially following President Trump's wavering approach towards taking a hard-stand against Pakistan. Washington will have to be firm on its "pro-India" stand without allowing other issues to cloud its conscience.  New Delhi has welcomed Tillerson's "positive statement" without going overboard. 

Ganapathi  Bhat, Akola

This refers to Matias Lobo's letter, "No Aadhaar, no food?" (Herald, October 20, 2017). 

The starvation death of 11-year-old Santoshi Kumari in a remote village of Jharkhand, after being denied ration for not having her family ration cards Aadhaar-linked, has raised a question. Must a driver be allowed to run over poor pedestrians in order to rush to his destination? Must the end - be it Aadhaar, GST or demonetisation - justify the means? 

Many lives also could have been saved during the time of demonetisation if the supply of the new currency was adequate. A driver needs to take all precautions while driving in a crowded road. 

The bureaucracy and administration must deal with us sensitively as it is we, the people of India, have sent our representatives to the Parliament and thus formed the government.

Sujit De, Kolkata

The Supreme Court’s temporary ban on the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali was an apt decision as pollution level increases too much during this time which effects health badly. This saved the citizens to a certain extent from noise pollution too which is also not good for healthy and peaceful living.

Traders and businessmen, dealing in these items opposed the apex court’s order but they must contribute to the health problems of citizens at large. It is a temporary ban after all. 

Traditionally, people are used to burning crackers, but they must change with changed times when pollution levels have spiked and must be ready to sacrifice in the interest of the public. Sadly Delhi/ NCR ban has not resulted in desired effect as on the day of Diwali many people burnt crackers. Though overall effect of pollution was reduced. 

This pehal -start- by SC must result in better movement-awareness of health hazardous effects on people just because of air and noise pollution. All citizens must think of nation first than their customs and habits in the welfare of people at large.

Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi