Since Kiran Bedi decided to join a political party, there are attempts to malign her. She was an upright police officer and did not spare even a Prime Minister of India. When CHOG(M) (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) retreat was held in Goa, she was the SP in charge of traffic management. She did an excellent job and inculcated some traffic sense in the lawless traffic jungle of Goa. She imparted training in traffic management to the college students of Goa. Some of us were personally involved in assisting her in traffic management during the CHOG(M) retreat. There is no allegation of any wrong doing against her during her career as a police officer. As the head of the Tihar jail, she introduced revolutionary changes in the management of prisoners. She is very intelligent, hardworking and non-corrupt, and a decent human being. Maligning her image just because she joined a political party is outright hypocrisy and scandalous. The Congress spokesperson should explain why she was not made Commissioner of Delhi Police and why her junior was elevated to that position by the then Congress Government? It was possibly because she would not have tolerated political interference in the running of the police establishment. Therefore she was harassed by the government of the day and denied promotion. We need people like Bedi to provide a new orientation to our dysfunctional political apparatus.
SND Poojary, Miramar
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It is we who are driving away tourists
After enjoying the rewards of charter tourists for many years, the reality is slowing sinking in and it’s time to introspect as to why the hotels and shacks are empty even though it’s the peak season and there were so many events happening in Goa. Although there have been many complaints about dirty beaches, thefts, exorbitant rates of visas and hotels; has anyone listened? Is anyone monitoring the beach cleaning contractors? Why are there no dust bins on the beach? Where will the tourist dispose their waste?
Even foreign tourist have complained through newspapers and the next thing that we hear is that foreign tourist were driven out of the shacks and umbrellas in Majorda-Utorda and made to stand in the sun. Is this how we should treat our guests who come all the way to Goa? Why do we need to spend public money and send our babus abroad in search of more tourist? Have they reported how many foreign tourists they have brought to Goa from the countries they have visited?
Matias Lobo, Oman
Don’t pressurise children
In academic competitions across different fields not everyone wins the race to the top or receives a trophy. When an academic competition is managed fairly and all participants are appreciated irrespective of the outcome and are treated with kindness and respect, then all can feel good about the healthy competition as a whole. Academic competitions can be disadvantageous for students when they lead to fear, anxiety and disappointment. Students may worry that they won’t measure up or will disappoint their teachers or parents. Some students feel so much pressure to succeed at academic competitions that they put everything else on hold. They might give up extracurricular activities, sports or other interests. Parents fail to realize that each child has been given varying potentialities by the Creator and one cannot and should not be compared to the other. Competition can be negative when it leads to imbalanced living or forces students to give up their other interests.
Farheena Hussainy, Navelim
New govt should decide on Film Censor Board members
This refers to resignation of members, including the Chief, of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), alleging interference by Union Ministry for Information and Broadcast in clearing the films. Controversies apart, clearance of films should reflect policy and views of the Union government because films play a major role in public life. Bodies like CBFC should be reconstituted by any new government at the centre without waiting for terms of earlier members of such bodies to be finished.
Madhu Agrawal, Delhi
CM has indeed won a lottery
The CM of Goa has indeed won a lottery. Even though Goa is faced with an acute financial crunch he has been able to usurp two government bungalows and spend Rs 50 lakhs of precious public funds to renovate one of the bungalows. The zero tolerance to corruption pledge of the BJP is also in focus here as the same person who was jailed in the Ruby Residency building collapse case has been reinstated and has also signed the allotment order.
Matias Lobo, Oman
Welcome Kiran Bedi to politics
As a resident of Delhi, I welcome Kiran Bedi’s entry into politics. For long, she has been in public spotlight, including in the Jan Lokpal movement led by Anna Hazare. Her entry in the BJP should help reform the BJP’s Sakshi Maharaj, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and others. I hope Kiran Bedi turns out to be an ideal politician. My best wishes to her.
Dr Brinda Singh, New Delhi
