LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Understanding economics The engaging column “Indian economy, according to Uma Kapila” (FE, June 19) by Sanjaya Baru must have made many nostalgic. Baru is correct when he points out that first there was Bhaskar Jathar and Shridhar Govind Beri’s Indian Economics, and then there was Ruddar Datt and KPM Sundaram’s Indian Economy. However, we don’t quite buy the fact that these four men may have been worsted by one woman—Uma Kapila. While we agree that Kapila’s book—Indian Economy Since Independence—shows the richness of the analysis of the Indian economy that a UG student is privileged to be exposed to, the aforementioned books don’t really miss out of the same either. Kapila’s 25th volume, however, deserves special mention because it emphasises on the importance of investment in human capabilities for a country of young people. Prashant Sachdeva

Patiala

Real estate

Apropos of the news report “Delhi’s Connaught Place 5th most costliest prime office market in world” (FE, June 19), it is owing to rupee depreciation that the Connaught Place has ranked fifth in the list of most expensive prime office markets in the world. We must remember that, over the years, it is Mumbai’s Nariman Point that has been holding the single-digit positions. However, according to this survey by property consultant CBRE, at nearly $157 per sq ft per annum, the Connaught Place has gained the fifth spot. While it is surprising that Nariman Point was ranked 30th on the top 50 rankings, what is not surprising is that Mumbai’s alternative business district of Bandra Kurla Complex stood at the 15th position. Bandra Kurla Complex, in fact, has been attracting a lot of attention of late. As the results show, while London West End remains the world’s most expensive, it is Asia which is dominating as far as the number of most expensive office locations is concerned. Mahesh Kapoor

Mumbai