Yatra and graft

This refers to the report “Advani's yatra gets off to a rousing start” (Oct. 12). Mahatma Gandhi travelled third class to reach the length and breadth of the country and meet the masses who wanted to listen to his inspiring speeches. Today's political class travels by specially fitted-out vehicles and in comfort.

The BJP leader's tour is bereft of any significance because the party does not seem to have an alternative vision to offer to the people. People have already been awakened on the issue of corruption. What they are demanding is positive action and not empty promises and platitudes. There is really no need to reinvent the wheel.

V.N. Mukundarajan,

Thiruvananthapuram

Corruption has unfortunately become a way of life. Whether it is issuing birth, death and community certificates and building plan approvals, one has to please officials, from top to bottom. As such, Mr. Advani's yatra does not have to reinforce the same point. The need of the hour is the formation of ‘anti-corruption squads' comprising literate, honest persons, irrespective of their political affiliations, to help us.

K.D.Viswanaathan,

Coimbatore

One should admire Mr. Advani's enthusiasm and willpower, though how far the yatra will achieve its aim is debatable. It's not that people are unaware of the need for clean and good governance but they are often helpless before those in power and who demand bribes. E-governance and changes in systems and procedures, besides a strong anti-corruption law, are the way out. Not a yatra .

D.B.N. Murthy,

Bangalore

If symbolic gestures like yatras , fasts, agitations and dharnas were good enough to eradicate corruption, India would have become a Ram Rajya long ago when Jayaprakash Narayan launched his agitation. Corruption has grown exponentially since those days. Therefore, Mr. Advani's yatra seems to be an exercise in futility as far as corruption is concerned. Is it another political ploy?

M.K. Bajaj,

Zirakpur

In the past, people undertook yatras for peace and for shedding their sins. Now, it seems to have become a tool for the political class to redeem its popularity. People know what the issues are before the country and are unlikely to be taken in by such moves.

V.S. Ganeshan,

Bangalore