Shame

The disclosure by Tata group chairman Ratan Tata that he did not enter the airline business as he was not comfortable with the idea of bribing a Minister with Rs.15 crore, as suggested by an industrialist, deserves closer scrutiny. Perhaps he should have made the details public long ago, setting an example of corporate probity. The system is so rotten that venality has seeped into governance and public life. Anybody who raises a voice is swiftly bestowed with retribution. The intrepid few, who still blow the whistle, do so at their own risk for there is no effective law protecting them. Mr. Tata has done the right thing. His revelation will encourage other business barons to speak out against corruption, even if it is a little too late in the day.

Dushyant Singh Panwar,

New Delhi

The Tatas have been welcomed wherever they have wanted to set up shop. The allegation that a bribe was sought from them is condemnable. The political class seems to have blocked an avenue for job opportunities in the aviation sector.

K.R. Kumar,

Tuticorin

Mr. Tata's admission has opened a can of worms. In hindsight, it can be said that the Tata-Singapore Airlines project was an opportunity lost to improve air services in India, especially at a time when government-owned airlines rendered unsatisfactory services.

Sajith Sasidharan,

Thrissur