India adopted family planning as a national policy in the ‘60s. Today, achieving zero rate of population growth is a necessity. Any state which works towards this end should be rewarded and not punished by reducing its number of Lok Sabha seats. In fact, the government ought to increase the representation of such states in the lower House by about 40 seats, while maintaining statewise allocation at the same level.

Coalition of rivals

• It is amusing and ironic that in Pakistan mutually opposing parties are working as coalition partners whereas, in India, the government’s coalition partners are acting as the opposition.

Bhutia, the Lionheart

• Baichung Bhutia’s refusal to carry the Olympic torch has caused a few red faces among the Indian communists. And they have asked Bhutia not to mix sports with politics. Bhutia’s courage must be celebrated and emulated. He has jeopardised neither the torch nor the Olympics; yet he has firmly upheld humanitarian and democratic values. This is what the Indian government should have done — announced an issue-based protest and won the respect of the world, including that of the Chinese, since everyone respects courage of conviction.