This refers to the report that Congress leaders are concerned about the security risk Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi face when they travel with the masses (Sept. 17). The Congress seems unaware that the risk is more for the fellow passengers who do not enjoy SPG protection. In their avoidable tamasha over austerity, the Congress folks have put the common people at more risk than any time before.
Ramana Murthy,
New York
The austerity measures adopted by the leaders of the Congress, including the much-publicised economy class air travel by Ms Gandhi and the chair car ride by Rahul, are farcical. If the party thinks it can project an aam aadmi-friendly image by such publicity stunts, it is mistaken.
If the government is serious about cutting down wasteful expenditure, it should reduce the number of Ministries and eliminate the huge army of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and the ‘babus’ connected with them.
V.V.S. Mani,
Bangalore
Journey by train is not new for political leaders. But Rahul Gandhi’s journey to Ludhiana by the Shatabdi Express was historic. It was his way of identifying with the common man. Other political leaders and bureaucrats should emulate him. Notwithstanding the security risk to him, Rahul proved his commitment to cost-cutting.
Arja Srikanth,
New Delhi
Rahul travelled by the Shatabdi because he wanted to identify with the masses? Does he think that the majority travels by Shatabdi?
I hope he knows that there is something called the sleeper class in trains, with dirty washrooms, stale food and fans and lights that don’t work. And that most of the people travel in such conditions, not in the posh Shatabdi. By taking the train, he is only troubling the masses.
Anuradha Singh,
New Delhi
Besides three persons being arrested, a lot of fuss is being made over the throwing of stones at the Shatabdi Express in which Rahul Gandhi travelled from Ludhiana. Throwing stones at moving trains is a pastime for many. Several people have died or have been severely injured in such incidents. Around the festival of Holi, miscreants throw cowdung at moving trains. Rahul was in the comfort of an air-conditioned coach and had enough securitymen attending to him. So the incident could not have posed any real threat to him, though it cannot be taken lightly.
We can only hope it will make the authorities take note of the anti-social activity. Stringent punishment must be meted out to those caught in indulging in such acts.
Usha Sahana,
New Delhi
The report that Rahul Gandhi’s flying visit to Tamil Nadu last week cost the Indian National Youth Congress over Rs. 1 crore (Sept. 17) is shocking. When the security threat to him was known, what was the need for him to undertake the visit? Could this money have not been better utilised — on combating swine flu and providing drinking water and food for the poor, for instance?
V. Sethumadhavan,
Acton, Massachusetts
Threats to leaders, including assassination attempts, are an unavoidable occupational hazard. It is time an expert committee was formed to fix a uniform amount that can be spent on providing security to leaders out of taxpayers’ money. Anything beyond this amount should be borne by the politician from his or her own individual or party funds. As the old adage goes, if one cannot stand the heat one must not enter the kitchen.
V. Nagarajan,
Chennai
All this song and dance about austerity, notwithstanding the one crore expenditure on youth mobilisation by Rahul, has successfully pushed all discussions on the causes and systemic changes needed to address the issues of the impoverished into oblivion.
What else can you expect from the corporate media-orchestrated charade?
Kasim Sait,
Chennai
Austerity should come from within. It need not be exhibited for all to see. The country has been reeling under a severe economic crisis and the middle class has been bearing the brunt. The government should have called for an all-party meeting and sought its advice on implementation of specific and target-oriented austerity measures.
R. Appanna,
Srikakulam
On the one hand, the government is doling out crores by way of free allowances to the elected representatives and the latter, just for publicity highlighted by a motivated media, indulge in gimmicks. They live the lives of kings and cannot prolong living like an average Indian. The security cover provided to them is expensive but they are not prepared to give it up or opt for minimum security. After some time, the “cattle class” will remain where it was, while the “holy cows” will continue to enjoy at the former’s cost.
G. Ramachandran,
Thiruvananthapuram
Leaders in other countries have already conducted experiments in austerity. When one of them was asked “why do you travel third class,” he gave an impressive answer: “because there is no fourth class.” But the reality — the existence of classes — continues.
In order to put an end to the “high class” mentality, leaders should work at the ground level, while still enjoying the privilege of flying.
Ankit Jain,
New Delhi
