— Ranjit B. Rai

New Delhi

Bill and brouhaha

• The Women’s Reservation Bill has finally been tabled in Parliament ‘SP wanted to “snatch, tear it” but women’s quota Bill is in’. Though drafted long back its implementation has always been a distant dream. Now, the bill has been introduced again amidst uproars from Samajwadi Party members. Lalu Prasad too has reservations about the bill. Since Lalu and Mulayam have always promoted caste politics, their opposition is explained by the bill’s disregard for caste. Nevertheless, given the involvement of women at the grassroots level in Indian politics today, has the bill’s delay indeed delayed social justice?

— Farzana Nigar

Ranchi

US food habits

•George W. Bush forgot that nearly half of India’s population is undernourished. Thus India’s food consumption can only increase further. He should rather worry about the obesity levels of schoolchildren and adults in his own country. Surely they didn’t become fat without eating? Moreover, a substantial portion of America’s foodgrains feed livestock that provide flesh for consumption. To produce a kilogramme of meat, a lot of foodgrain is needed. Since meat is not a natural food of human beings, Bush should first think of correcting the food habits of his own countrymen.

— M.N. Palsane

Pune