— Rajeev Kumar New Delhi

Roads we travel

• It is in times of crisis that a government’s character is judged. The downturn presents an opportunity to the UPA. The NDA’s development initiative under the Golden Quadrilateral project and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, if given an extraordinary push by the UPA right now, will stave off a prolonged recession. Infrastructure projects have a great potential for maximising employment opportunity and catalysing development in related sectors. For this, the NHA should pay attention to systemic improvement. The technical and bureaucratic aspects will certainly be helped by inter-party cooperation during the December session of Parliament.

— H.R.B. Satyanarayana Anand

Too optimistic, FM

• P. Chidambaram may believe that the “worst is over”. Statistics may show a decline in inflation but prices of most essentials remain high, except those of vegetables. And that last is due to seasonal changes and rains. Highly paid professionals and businessmen may not feel the pinch despite the crisis, but it is the aam admi who will keep struggling with his small and declining income.

— K.L. Khandekar Vadodara