The Goa Declaration
It is welcome that the BRICS summit has focussed on the issue of terrorism (“BRICS meet declaration pledges to fight terrorism”, Oct.17) and is the result of the efforts of the Prime Minister who has cultivated a great deal of goodwill and understanding after his extensive overseas tours. I feel the media should not read too much into not getting a consensus on references to “cross-border terrorism” and Pakistan-based terror groups as the world is largely aware of Pakistan’s true colours. Let us be positive about the summit and hope for better understanding among BRICS nations. The point that India is a victim of terrorism has been established.
J.P. Reddy,
Nalgonda, Telangana
The BRICS declaration could not highlight the issue of cross-border terrorism due to the obdurate attitude of China. It is obvious that China considers India as a primary competitor, if not rival, as far as economic development and regional status are concerned. Whether it is India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group or the UN Security Council, China has been placing roadblocks despite support from most other countries. We also have to be cautious about China’s plan to prop up Pakistan to block India.
S.V. Venkatakrishnan,
Bengaluru
The fact that the Prime Minister called Pakistan the “mother-ship of terrorism” should make it cringe in shame. It should ensure that terror infrastructure on its soil is now dismantled. With China now being a part of the group that has agreed to fight terror, Beijing must stop speaking in different voices as far as Islamabad is concerned.
K.R. Srinivasan,
Secunderabad
The Benaulim meet has been a grave disappointment. Countries that make up BRICS assembled in Goa at a time when Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attacks and India’s retaliatory “surgical strikes” had hastened the gathering of war clouds. It was largely expected that the deliberations in Goa would focus on terrorism and place countries sourcing and nurturing terrorism on a kind of watch list. However, barring Mr. Modi, the other leaders have made only a tepid reference to terrorism. Apparently, the Prime Minister’s call to send a clear message to Pakistan to mend its ways has not enthused them much; they have probably left it as India’s problem to handle. However, will the terse call in the final statement, to counter terrorism bring about a change in the mindset of Pakistan?
Arulur N. Balasubramanian,
Chennai
The relationship between India and China appears to be strained, thanks to Beijing propping up its all-weather friend Pakistan to counter India. The series of actions by China to put down India at global fora cannot go on and we need to call a spade a spade. Steadying the ship requires immense political capital. Perhaps the Prime Minister should focus on improving the economy, looking at employment and putting India on a high growth trajectory and instead leave the diplomats in the MEA to deal with our two hostile neighbours.
Rahul Nair H.,
Thiruvananthapuram
Minister’s exit
The isolation of E.P. Jayarajan by his party in Kerala, on charges of nepotism is a typical example of how a mature party should behave in a modern democracy, especially in a State with high literacy rate and where people make informed choices (Editorial, Oct.17). In comparison, when scandal hit the UDF, its Ministers were hesitant to step down.
Aravind U. Krishnan,
Thiruvananthapuram
The LDF came back to power largely based on the strength of its persistent and vociferous campaign against corruption that plagued the Congress-led UDF government. So when the charges of nepotism flew thick and fast against Mr. Jayarajan, it is not surprising that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the party leadership lost no time in damage control. However, what people really want is for the party to put an end to the cycle of political violence ravaging the State and threatening to affect peace, development and harmony. There has to be a conducive atmosphere to attract investments and generate employment for its burgeoning educated and unemployed population of youth.
M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
The UDF and the LDF are birds of the same feather as far as nepotism is concerned. A closer look at appointments to various academies, corporations and even planning boards will show that academic brilliance, efficiency and ethics are words of a bygone era. There are very few ‘independent’ intellectuals left in the State and the writers and cultural figures we have now hardly exercise restraint in toeing the political line.
Aravindakshan Kailath,
Thrissur
While it is true that E.P. Jayarajan found himself politically isolated, and many appreciate the fact that his party leadership meant business, citizens are more anxious to know whether this will lead to a movement where there is political zero tolerance towards corruption.
P.R.V. Raja,
Pandalam, Kerala
Songwriter, but Laureate?
It is unfortunate that the decision of the Swedish Academy to award the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature to Bob Dylan has developed very quickly into a stormy and aggressive debate (Weekend ‘Reading’ page – “Learning with Bob Dylan”, Oct.16). Much of the criticism is about how the committee had lowered the Nobel’s standing by equating pop lyrics with serious literature. Most song lyrics are not poetry, and can look trite on a page without the accompanying music. But in Bob Dylan we have always had an exception. Not many have blended art, philosophy, social issues and everyday life into a single lyrical narrative so exquisitely as Dylan has.
K. Venkata Reddy,
Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh
Stop spitting
It is petrifying to know that the incidence of tuberculosis infection is one of the highest in India and TB-related mortality — which is one of the major causes of deaths in the country — is also among the world’s highest. (Weekend ‘Being’ page – “The End TB strategy”, Oct.16). Given that TB mainly spreads through air, no amount of sensitising the public about the evils of spitting seems to work. Swachh Bharat may clear the land surfaces of garbage and other waste but nothing seems to halt the ubiquitous Indian habit of spitting in its tracks. Strangely, the developed world seems to have different standards of spitting, as one can notice even elite cricketers spitting often on the very field they play on. It needs to be clarified by experts whether these practices are hygienic as there are millions of fans who emulate their heroes.
S. Vasudevan,
Chennai
