Sagarika Ghose is right about both Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Mani Shankar Aiyar (‘The burden of the Oxbridge set’, IE, October 4). Both have made mistakes in the present political climate. So have both the Right and the Left. The Left parties will lose the support of the common Indian if they don’t stop bickering at every step. They need to clean their own house and inquire into the working of their unions which remain oblivious of the common person’s priorities. — R.K. Datta Nashik Chipped blackboards • I was terribly pained to read Madan Jha’s article on the state of our schools (‘Remember these classrooms?’, IE, October 4). What Jha observes is true across the length and breadth of this country, more so in the educationally backward regions. The media has to get proactive and focus attention on education. We need to explore if there has been any discernible change in the last 15 years — yes, more and more children are now enrolling in schools and mid-day-meals are also available in many parts of the country. But are our children learning? — Vimala Ramachandran New Delhi So, who won? • I do not fully understand the kind of message that the Government of India is trying to send out by the manner in which the Planning Commission issue has been dealt with. On the one hand, the government has acted swiftly and decisively by disbanding the consultative groups. On the other, it has indicated that it still bows to pressure from the Left and that it is not yet ready to open itself to scrutiny. — Dhananjay Adhikari Austin Resonant voices • I had the fortune of meeting and hearing Kishen Pattnayak once (‘Politics of a different place’, IE, October 2). The moment is unforgettable for me for the sincerity of approach and the original analytical thinking he displayed. The media does need to give a little space to the Pattnayaks of the country. Not to honour them, but so that common people and decision makers sometimes take note of what they are saying. — Hrushikesh Panda Seoul Opening stands • The Indian Test squad definitely needs a solid opener with a good defensive technique (‘Chopra seeks a chance’, IE, October 3). Maybe Aakash Chopra’s place in the side must depend on the current form of his teammates. Suppose two faster-scoring batsmen like Virender Sehwag and V.V.S. Laxman fail and Sachin Tendulkar is rested because of injury — in that case, would Chopra’s defensive technique give confidence to the team? — J. Jayaraman Aurangabad Empire of confusion • Who authorised the BCCI to represent India? This is the right question asked by the court and its implications need to be fully investigated, particularly as the board earns and controls a huge amount of money. There ought to be proper guidelines for its functioning instead of leaving it to politicians, former players and their friends. — Atma Gandhi Singapore
