• While the global trend is to optimally utilise water transport, there’s little awareness of this in Maharashtra. Maharashtra is blessed with a long coastline. There several major, medium and minor ports along the coast. Till 1984, ships used to ferry passengers between Mumbai and Goa. Not only passengers but also cargo can be transported at a fraction of the cost incurred otherwise. It’s sad that neither the government nor the public is serious about sea transport. With many SEZ projects coming up in the Konkan region, it is advisable that all ports are developed to their maximum potential without delay. This will also generate employment and promote industrial activity.

— Firoz Batliwala

Mumbai

Wind of change

• It is in fact amusing to note that both the opponents and proponents of gay rights within the Delhi high court have inadvertently reduced the issue to a Freudian debate. This judgment is an endorsement of personal liberties, rights and inclusiveness and the fact that the state has recognised this is welcome. However, there has been unnecessary glorification by the media of the LGBT lifestyle — are heterosexual lives any less interesting? The issue is about inclusiveness and not validation.

— Rahul Gaur

Gurgaon

Keep it private

• This refers to ‘377 steps’ and ‘On freedom’s avenue’. The judgment of the Delhi high court in decriminalising Section 377 is a step in the right direction. However, saturated media coverage of the high court decision with suggestive photographs of consenting couples, despite their cause for celebration, is unnecessary. The media should not be a medium for the promotion of any kind of sexuality. In keeping with custom, gay couples should carry on in private.

... contd.