Letters to the editor

It is shocking to learn that the tiger population in India has come down by almost 60 per cent. More devastating is the fact that the authorities, instead of waking up to this reality, are questioning the mode...

Cry of the tiger

• It is shocking to learn that the tiger population in India has come down by almost 60 per cent. More devastating is the fact that the authorities, instead of waking up to this reality, are questioning the mode of counting in this census. Whatever be the mode of counting, the horrific fact remains that the tiger population is extremely vulnerable. The natural habitats of these jungle beings are being encroached upon constantly. It appears that our bureaucrats and politicians just do not have even an inkling of how important protecting the environment and preserving our flora and fauna is for our well-being. Truly, it is not tigers that are wild but human beings.

— Harischandra Parasuram, Mumbai

A soldier’s wages

• HARWANT SINGH’S ‘Why soldier for the country?’ (IE, May 24) is welcome now that the Sixth Pay Commission is busy with its labours. In a democracy, the truth is that the Armed Forces are subject to civilian control. Our civil

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services do not treat defence personnel with the deference that is their due. For the IAS officer, there is no one above him and no one beyond him — and this includes those in the Armed Forces. Our

soldiers lay down their lives for the country and should be compensated well for the

risks they take.

— M.K.D. Prasada Rao, Ghaziabad

Start at the top

• PRIME MINISTER Manmohan Singh, while announcing the Rs 4,800 crore rural road project, blamed corruption for the poor quality of rural roads and said that corruption was spreading like a cancer through the country. It is most unfortunate that the top

executive authority in the country makes such a

statement and is helpless in doing anything about it. If the PM is really interested in reducing the large-scale corruption in the country, he must go to the ‘Gangotri of corruption’ — the politicians and others right at the top. For starters, the assets of all top bureaucrats, judges, and ministers, past and present, as well as their close relatives, should be examined

by the CBI. .