Opinion Reaction,action

The silly manner in which the Indian government has got itself embroiled in the Norway affair only reflects a larger malaise that permeates our society

The Indian Express

March 23, 2012 02:24 AM IST First published on: Mar 23, 2012 at 02:24 AM IST

Reaction,action

* The silly manner in which the Indian government has got itself embroiled in the Norway affair only reflects a larger malaise that permeates our society (Knee-jerk nation,IE,March 22). We jump to judgements without thinking; we react instantly,emotionally and in deafening volume to any issue the ban on the Bhagavad Gita in some obscure town in Russia,the perceived insults to our so-called honour by Jay Leno,the hysteria over Salman Rushdie attending the Jaipur Literary Festival. News TV,in particular,plays a stellar role in whipping up public sentiment on issues that are either trivial or require deeper thought. One recalls Sharad Yadavs exasperated words in Lok Sabha during the debate over the Lokpal bill: Dabba band karo!

R.P. Subramanian New Delhi

Eye on 2014

* This is in response to Nobody wants a poll (IE,March 22). The UPA 2 government may complete its full term,but the Congress should be more worried about its electoral prospects in the 2014 general elections and less pleased about the inertia prevailing in the opposition. Even in the case of a fractured mandate,which seems certain,it requires tractable allies to form the next government.

Satwant Kaur Mahilpur

Attack of the allies

* Apropos Now ally Pawar stands up (IE,March 21),in reality its Pawars NCP that stands out. As he himself said,his party has not walked out during voting in Parliament. Pawar was responding to Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs statement that the challenges running a coalition government have been sharply brought out in the developments following the presentation of the railway budget. Its clear the PM was referring to the TMC. Its time the UPA caught the TMC bull by its horns,which would make Pawars NCP and other coalition dharma adherents stand out.

M.M. Singh Ahmedabad

Dealing hand

* The Tamil Nadu government has given its nod to the Koodankulam project. Activists insist there has been no detailed consultation between the locals and the government to reassure them of the plants safety. Training for people living within 30-km radius of the plant on how to deal with an emergency has also not been done. When developed nations like Germany and Japan are concerned about the use of nuclear power,we are embarking upon it with nary a care for our people. No wonder it is said Indian lives are cheap.

S. Kamat Bardez

Lost win

* In the euphoria over Sachin Tendulkars 100th century,we forgot to overlook a fact: we lost the match because it took Tendulkar ages to move from 88 to 100. We lost the opportunity to score another 20-odd runs which could have taken the game out of Bangladeshs reach.

A.M. Limaye Pune