While Nirmala Sitharaman’s appointment as a full-fledged Defence Minister is a moment to celebrate, one looks forward to a time when such events no longer make news (“In Cabinet rejig, PM Modi rewards performance” Sept.4). Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, territorial disputes with China and Pakistan combined with growing ties between China and Pakistan, and China’s influence over India’s neighbours are areas that will test Ms. Sitharaman’s mettle. The need to modernise the Army, increase the defence Budget in terms of GDP, and also ensure more transfer of technology from the West are other tough issues she faces.
Shreyashi Panja,
New Delhi
The rejig reaffirms the fact that the Prime Minister does not have many political compulsions to contend with. In the absence of the required talent pool in the party, he has endeavoured to enhance the performance levels of the Cabinet by infusing known bureaucratic talent. Only time will tell whether this experiment proves successful or not. While the promotion of the talented and articulate Ms. Sitharaman is to be appreciated, to interpret this as women’s empowerment is erroneous. Though we have had many women in important positions, even as President, Prime Minister and Speaker, there has not been much improvement in the social or economic conditions of millions of Indian women.
Kosaraju Chandramouli,
Hyderabad
Our memory is not short in remembering that soon after assuming power, the Prime Minister said that there would be “less government and maximum governance”. More than three years have passed since the BJP government took over from the Congress, but most of the promises made by the party remain to be fulfilled. Vested interests, reportedly enjoying the patronage of the present dispensation, are bent on disturbing communal harmony. Economic reforms have not yet gained speed while the issue of unemployment remains unsolved. More tellingly, the RBI’s report on demonetisation has dented the government’s claims of its having fulfilled its purpose. Our foreign relations are also not so rosy.
Jayant Mukherjee,
Kolkata
The reason for the reshuffle was supposed to be with a focus on the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The non-performers have been shunted out, but most of the changes are baffling. Why was Suresh Prabhu, who was doing good work, removed and given another portfolio? The induction of a few retired bureaucrats is bizarre. Does it mean with so many elected BJP members, Mr. Modi couldn’t rely on them and so he had to call for outside talent? Ms. Sitharaman might be a good speaker but is this a reason enough to have her head such an important portfolio overlooking the claims of other senior and experienced persons?
D.B.N. Murthy,
Bengaluru
The move to have Alphons Kannanthanam, bureaucrat turned politician, is a clever political formula to build up the BJP in Kerala. The focus on minority representation is with a plan in mind to showcase the party as one with a pan-Indian presence.
B. Veerakumaran Thampi,
Thiruvananthapuram
