Keep up with neighbours

The news report (IE, January 17) that Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, a man who gets things done with clinical efficiency, seems to have cast a spell on India Inc. As soon as he landed at Mumbai, his officials spread out to survey the local prices of consumer goods. And — presto! — the industry leaders were told that Indian prices for various consumer goods are at least three to six times higher than in China. The premier also said that while India is strong in ‘software’; China is equally strong in ‘hardware’. How true otherwise too. When will Indian industry wake up to the Chinese challenge? Unny’s cartoon quip for the day says it all.
— R.K. MALHOTRA
New Delhi

With regard to your editorial, ‘Look east for a change’ (IE, January 16). Now is the time to forget the past and try to learn what we can as good neighbors. As you point out there is much that we can learn from the Chinese, especially in being practical. The Chinese have been very objective about solving their boundary and trade issues. Taiwan’s separation from the mainland is a very bitter reality that keeps bugging the Chinese leadership every day. However that reality does not affect their commercial relations with the United States. Similarly, they also have a multi-religious multiethnic state that has to be kept united without making any one religion or ethnicity feel left out. India can certainly learn much from the Chinese in handling such issues. India, especially L.K. Advani, can also learn much from Zhu Rongji’s handling of controversial issues. India has always been looking west because of India’s large trade with the nations of West Asia and Europe, as well as India’s domination by Muslims. In the present age this would be a short sighted policy. There is much that India can learn from China by emulating some of ther policies.
— KIRTIDEV BHATT
On e-mail

Army chief

Apropos ‘Keep the hawks under control’ (IE, January 17) the press conference conducted by the chief of army staff was not only timely and appropriate but was very well received by the public at large, who have thus far known only a weak India incapable of responding to threats both verbal and terror stricken from across the border. The place of the COAS is unique in the military scheme of things and he must be seen by his officers and men as infallible and beyond reproach. Any attempt to denigrate him is bound to seriously compromise his position and adversely affect the implicit faith and confidence the army must have in him.
— V.B.N. RAM
On e-mail

In response to ‘Keep the hawks under control’, is the writer saying that when soldiers are recruited they should not question any decision that is made by some foolish politician whose only credential is that he can con a section of society to vote him to victory? When a general gives a statement then he is also expressing the sentiments of the section of armed forces that he represents and not that of a foolish politician. If it is the soldier who is going to die in case of war, then he has earned the right more than anybody to speak his mind.
— SHAILA CHAVAN
On e-mail

He got it wrong

I think the Pakistan minister who said Balasaheb Thackeray needs to be extradited is confused. He could have demanded Thackeray’s extradition for any riots he may have caused in Pakistan. When we are asking for 20 criminals, it is not for their crimes committed in other countries. It is for their crimes committed in India.

The fact however remains that even when we have ample proof of the Sena chief getting things done in various parts of Bombay and our government being afraid of arresting him.
— CHETAN SALIA
On e-mail

United colours

The decision of the Cabinet to allow the public access to the Tricolour is a patriotic move and is warmly welcomed by the whole of India. This decision will prove a milestone in uniting the country. This is a much awaited decision. Restrictions on public access to the flag has greatly affected our national integrity. How can you expect a person to be patriotic if he can’t even hoist the National Flag, say, on his terrace. Earlier decisions in this regard were totally mindless and unpatriotic. The present Cabinet and the person who filed the PIL deserves the appreciation of the public.
— DEEPAK NAGPAL
New Delhi