BackGovernment’s credibility
Government’s credibility
Premium“An open letter to the PM" (Mint, 10 December) was an eye-opener. The question is who read it and what action can be expected. Our leaders were busy selecting/appointing chief ministers after the recent state elections and are now busy analysing why they lost in some states. We praise our forces, but the fact remains that our personnel took 59 hours to shoot two terrorists, that too after loss of lives and property. Is someone bothered about our capability to fight terrorists and, if we’re not capable, what plan of action is being prepared and who is responsible for implementing it? Should people know the facts? Facts alone will make citizens confident. I agree with the officer that the government has lost all credibility.
-Suresh Rathod
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Your turn to talk
I have one point to quibble on in Namita Bhandare’s otherwise excellent article, “India’s tragedy: it lacks a credible leadership" (Mint, 9 December). I do not agree with your pessimism that in a country with one billion people, we lack a Gandhi or a Sardar Patel. Our problem is that we have helped reduce our political frame to disgrace and thus don’t invite good and honest people to take up politics as a profession. We don’t lack leaders, but lack a will in them to lead us through politics.
The answer perhaps lies in each one of us. After independence, we have become extremely inward-looking, self-serving people with no intent to look beyound family or at best community, instead of looking at society at large.
We must use the same platform which delivered us people such as Sardar Patel to find another Sardar among us to lead us. One Sardar is enough to solve all our problems.
Let’s put our heads and hearts together to find such leaders and I am confident we will succeed.
–Anil Singhvi
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You are being naive when you argue about the real estate sector in purely policy or economic terms (“Reality of realty companies", Mint, 10 December).
Realty in India is the biggest sink for unaccounted wealth. The returns it has given in the past have been better than the best for tax paid salaries. By virtue of the black and white component of money in every transaction, this industry is able to contribute generously to politicians and bureaucrats. Elections are approaching and a major source of funds is running dry. The situation is alarming for every political party. It does not surprise me that banks are being arm-
twisted to lend at absurdly low rates and there is no one questioning this act.
I am sure this government will do everything in its power to keep the real estate bubble alive.
–Vikas Kalra
Citizen Athreya ko gussa kyon aata hai? And Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Athreya ko gussa kab aayega? (“An open letter to the PM", Mint, 10 December).
I am unable to disagree with the content of the letter, but strongly disagree with its tone and tenor. For the first time, I am unable to externalize the failure of the system and continue with my business-as-usual practices. I am the system and have watched on as it was dismantled brick by brick. I was too preoccupied with my pursuit of individual achievements within the IAS and with ensuring a comfortable retirement to do anything more than block bad decisions and protect my integrity and reputation.
–Sindhushree Khullar
The world is a playground for Pakistani terrorists. The latest victims of their inhuman attacks are poor Mumbaikars. Why does the international community not label Pakistan a terrorist state? Why should India and other neighbours of Pakistan be under constant threat of terror all the time?
–Rajeev Batra
We thank our readers for some very interesting letters in response to our stories and column. Do continue to write to us at yourviews@livemint,com
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