Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Bharat ratan
• RATAN TATA stole the Corus and made Indian industry proud of its new possession (‘Tata gets Corus, India Inc a new global standard’, IE, February 1). It underlined the fact that we have come a long way from the days of Empire. Once the British ruled over us. Today we are increasingly ruling over the world when it comes to business and industry. Manufacturing steel is one of our strengths — as the Mittals and Tatas have proved. Yes, at $12.1 billion, the valuation of Corus looks stretched but Tata-Corus as an entity will bring in a lot of advantages in the long run, both to the consumers and the manufacturer.Must say that Ratan Tata is an Indian ‘ratan’.
— S.N. Kabra, Mumbai
Hardly objectionable
• I FAIL to understand why so many political parties and individuals are protesting against the utterances of Balasaheb Thackeray in his television interview with Shekhar Gupta (‘On the record‘, IE, January 29 and 30) against our president. The first thing he said was that the president is indecisive about hanging the terrorist, Afzal. There is nothing wrong in this statement. Secondly, he commented on the president’s hair blocking his view. This is just sardonic humour and we have to learn to appreciate such humour.
— Nataraj Ananth, Mumbai
Minister, minion
• CALLING for a probe against a civil servant for his conduct is one thing and engaging in an unseemly public spat against him is quite another (‘Kerala minister calls for probe against IAS officer’, IE, February 1). The damage to the civil servant is already done even if the minister had chosen to do what he actually intended. In this era of declining political standards, the country needs a civil service which is not only efficient but one with a high morale. Public misdemeanour such as the one exhibited by this Kerala minister needs to be protested against. He should have used the official channels available to him if he has any complaint about a civil servant’s behaviour or integrity. He has failed to do so and has made himself a laughing stock.
— S. Subramanyan, Mumbai
Forgiveness hero
• IT was most appropriate that the Gandhi Peace Prize 2005 was presented to Desmond Mpilo Tutu (IE, January 30) by the president of India for his invaluable contribution towards the social and political transformation of South Africa and by contributing to world peace. Rev Tutu has distinguished himself as a champion for human rights causes for several years and his contribution is spectacular. In 1978, Archbishop Tutu became the first Black general secretary of the South African Council of Churches. This position provided him a national platform to denounce apartheid and call for equal rights for all South Africans. Later, as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he counselled forgiveness and co-operation instead of revenge for past injustices. Herein lies his greatness. By honouring Rev Tutu, we are honouring ourselves.
— A.R.K. Pillai, Mumbai
Netas and us
• APROPOS of ‘Civic elections: voting on the decline in the city’ (IE, January 31), the reasons for this is not far to seek. People’s trust and confidence in our netas is on the decline. Also, in slum areas, you can offer bribes in various ways, which is not the case with the rest of the city, where people have honour, self-respect, character and self-pride and cannot be lured so easily. Slowly more and more people will wake up and shun these dubious politicians.
— Behram Aga, Mumbai
