letterstoeditor

INDIAJAPAN TIES

India and Japan must look to ensure that the fourth annual summit provides an impetus to shared initiatives such as the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor to counter China’s mega trans-continent corridor initiative. Japan’s role assumes significance to make ‘Make in India’ a success. Being a pioneer in high-speed rail networks, Japan can overhaul our rail infrastructure. We need to collaborate in areas of unmanned ground vehicles and robotics, besides strengthening military, cyber-security and counter-terrorism cooperation.

Akash Kumar, Jagraon

REJUVENATED RAHUL

This is with reference to the report, ‘Ready to take over as Cong president: Rahul (HT, September 13)’. Of late, Rahul Gandhi was not taken seriously for his blusters, but at Berkeley University, he was seen as a rejuvenated Rahul. It seems the blunders made by the BJP-led NDA government have infused some enthusiasm and life in the Congress vice-president’s flagging political career. At the Berkeley speech, Rahul played the role expected of him, when he admitted that the Congress stopped conversing with the common cadre, which damaged the intraparty democratic set-up. However, his clarification about the Congress being a dynastic party, citing the trend in business, politics, and the film industry, invited criticism. LJS Panesar

II

For a vibrant democracy, it is important to have a strong opposition, especially when the ruling party starts exploiting religion and caste. Whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits a foreign country, he takes a dig at Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. At Berkeley University, Rahul took Modi by surprise and pointed out his government’s failures on its economic policies and social fabric. The Congress high command must accelerate the campaign started by Rahul. Capt Amar Jeet Kumar, Mohali

III

Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Berkeley was a planned strategy of the Congress. What’s wrong if Rahul speaks on India when asked about the country’s development? In fact, he also pointed out the weakness of the Congress. What about Modi when he raises issues of toilets, illiteracy, poverty during his visits abroad? In the past three years, Modi has spoken more about India abroad.

Devinder Singh, Patiala

MERGER OF BANKS

Banks are going through a difficult patch and this is not the right time for mergers. While the government has announced its intent to merge banks, it would not be right to push through. By merging banks, the industry will not stand to gain in terms of getting capital, bringing down nonperforming assets of NPAs or becoming profitable. The government has expressed its intent of merging a big bank with a smaller one but a mega merger may not be possible. A mega merger is not a good option and will not be in the best interest of the bank, customers and the economy. SC Dhall, Zirakpur

LOOK BACK AT ANGER

Yesterday, while returning after shopping, I found someone had parked his car behind mine in a way that I could not move until the person returned. I had to wait for 2-3 minutes before I could head out. Yes just 2-3 minutes, but I was in such a rage that I said a few unkind words to the young driver. What happened to me? I was neither getting late to go anywhere nor was I in an emergency. All this came to my mind while reading an HT news report that a person strangulated a sixyear-old child to death for putting scratches on his tractor! Are we turning into an intolerant society of materialistic machines with no emotions? Balvinder Singh, Chandigarh

FARM LOAN WAIVER IN UP

Farm loans waived by the UP government is not less than a joke where a farmer’s loan amounting to just 19 paise has been written off. This is a joke in the backdrop of the loan waiver of 86 lakh farmers. It’s all for publicity. DP Gautam

ROHINGYA CRISIS

This is with reference to the statement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that “India cannot carry out collective expulsions, or return people to a place where they risk torture or other serious violations”. Rohingyas, who have crossed over to India, should be treated as temporary refugees and not deported. India must treat this as a humanitarian issue and take it up with Myanmar. Since the root of the Rohingya crisis lies in Myanmar, the solution lies there.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

NOISE POLLUTION

It’s encouraging to see Punjab Police acting against noise pollution. But they are hitting the wrong target. The action has been against vehicles on highways. It would have been better if they were to catch motorcycle and car drivers with modified vehicles, who are the main nuisance in markets and residential areas. Suraj Grewal, Ludhiana