Opinion Target Pune
Almost 15 months after the Mumbai attack,weve had another (Pune terror blast shatters calm after Mumbai 26/11,IE,February 14)....
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Almost 15 months after the Mumbai attack,weve had another (Pune terror blast shatters calm after Mumbai 26/11,IE,February 14). While one cannot expect the police to be present everywhere,this does point to poor intelligence gathering. The German Bakery was a soft target,teeming with Westerners and had very easy access. Security forces,particularly the police,have an arduous task: on the one hand,theres the VIP to protect which consumes huge manpower; on the other,theres obsolete weaponry and low morale. Instead of blaming the cops,theres an urgent need for citizens and police to join forces and stay alert. It is truly a sad day when a peaceful city like Pune must see its guests lose their lives in such a tragic way. Sadder still would be if we lost our cool and became partisan.
We are not an authoritarian or autocratic state; democracy permits freedom and it is this freedom which is misused by a few to create unrest. If the common man were to fall prey to divisive tactics such as these it would mean the end of our democracy and secular existence.
R. Gupta
Safe,when?
When the death of any person is regrettable,the loss of nine lives,including foreign guests,is more sorrowful. Fifty others were injured in the explosion that ripped apart the German Bakery in Pune. This was the first terror attack after Mumbai 26/11,but it raised the crucial point: when will the common mans life be safer? Home Minister P. Chidambaram must take responsibility. If he,on behalf of the Central government,cant guarantee the safety of the public,the least they can do is give states more power to tackle the problem.
Bidyut K. Chatterjee
Faridabad
New game
This refers to Pranab Dhal Samantas Exit causes (IE,February 12). Surely and clearly,much to Indias dismay,Pakistan has achieved what its been contemplating or clamouring for,for a long time its indispensability and hegemony in post-US Afghanistan. Itll have enough space and the leeway to safeguard and promote its strategic interests in the region. Worst of all,the endgame will enable Pakistan to manipulate the Taliban to suit its foreign policy and keep India at bay. The face-saving formula of the US has given Pakistan this edge over India. We must learn a lesson from this sad but not entirely unexpected denouement,and try to devise strategies to face the emerging situation.
Hema Langeri
Hoshiarpur
Comfort zones
I was deeply moved by C. Ram Manohar Reddys rich tribute to legendary economist K.N. Raj (IE,February 11). The life of Professor Raj should inspire an educated person to think beyond a comfortable career and take up projects intrinsically challenging to the intellect. Raj was always the epitome of commitment to his missions.
Nirjhar Majumdar
Mumbai
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