That many members of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have surrendered to Indian forces is welcome. The writing was on the wall for the ULFA, which was once upon a time feared. Today, it has no significance and relevance. In the 1980s and the 1990s, the ULFA was considered on par with mujahideens from Pakistan. I am happy that the ULFA has become a weakened outfit and does not command much hold over Assam (‘The battle within’, February 5).
The northeast has become an integral part of the country. Still, a lot more can be done to market and promote the northeastern states. I wish more development comes to these parts of the country, as that is the only way to deal with disgruntled people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already done the right thing by launching many schemes for the development of the northeast. It should continue that way.
Shiv Tyagi,
On email.
I was amazed seeing your interview with Drishti Rajkhowa, deputy commander in chief, ULFA. I appreciate your team for the achievement. Some facts stated in the cover story were shocking. It helped me understand the ULFA better.
Philip Joy,
On email.
Your cover story on ULFA was interesting. Kudos to your team for bringing out such stories. With tact and strategic moves like obtaining the coperation of Bangladesh, our security forces, supported by their political bosses in Delhi and Assam, forced top guns of ULFA to surrender, and they are in the process of finishing off the threat. It also helps when the government of India is accelerating the pace of socio-economic development of the region.
I hope such a strategy is repeated in Kashmir.
K.V. Jayaram,
On email.
Don’t pollute rivers
I was on cloud nine when I read that polluted water will stop flowing into the Ganga in two years (‘Namami Gange’, February 5). The Namami Gange project is the best thing to have happened to the Ganga. The Ganga is, perhaps, the only river in the world that absorbs gallons of waste each passing day. A pure and sacred river like the Ganga cannot remain polluted.
Throwing waste into rivers is an uncivilised practice. The Union and state governments should ensure proper wastewater management systems for industrial units situated close to rivers. Rivers are an important natural resource, and all of us should do our bit to stop polluting it.
Veena Gautam,
On email.
No place for goons
Brijbhushan Sharan Singh could be a strongman for all I care. The BJP, as a party with a difference, should not support Singh till a fair probe is conducted (‘Flat on the mat’, February 5). There is more to the entire saga than meets the eye.
Many politicians in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have criminal cases against them, but are still popular. There is no place for goons in Indian politics. Political parties should stop supporting them.
Vyom Prakash,
On email.
Losing significance
The JD(S) will not have much of a role to play in Karnataka, and it is on a steep decline (‘Hope floats’, February 5). Though H.D. Deve Gowda is a straightforward and popular leader, his son, H.D. Kumaraswamy, has, over the years, made a mockery of things. All his decisions were in haste and they harmed the party.
The Congress is emerging stronger in Karnataka, and like in Gujarat, in Karnataka, too, we will see a direct fight between the BJP and the Congress.
Radhika Menon,
On email.
Popular Modi
To those who criticise Narendra Modi as an authoritarian, and for being against the federal structure of the Constitution, the last word by Amitabh Kant (February 5) on revolutionising districts through the aspirational district programme was an eye-opener.
People, at least now, should stop casting aspersions on Modi. The launch of aspirational block programmes will further enhance the credibility of Modi as an authoritative voice of grassroots development, and as a devoted worker with democratic values and principles. This, irrespective of what Modi’s detractors will like to say.
Jitendranath Guru,
On email.
Invest in hockey
The Indian hockey team is not playing well. We are not performing consistently like the Australians (‘Time to rebound’, February 5). Hockey is our national game, and India had dominated world hockey for so many years. The game is not getting the kind of attention that cricket does.
Also, I feel the onus is not just on Odisha to celebrate hockey and set up infrastructure; every state should do the same. The coaches here are always blamed for bad performances, which is not correct. Senior players who do not play well should be dropped from the team.
Ram Nandakumar,
On email.
Good job
There is no doubt that the country has to invest in defence and innovations in that field (‘Going great guns’, January 22). After all, it is a matter of national security. We have to be more self-reliant and not depend on other countries. The country should also invest in important sectors like education and employment.
Tom Vattamattathil,
On email.
Your cover story on the enormous modernisation taking place in the armed forces was very informative and interesting. With China increasing its military might and expanding its fleet at a massive scale, there is no doubt that it will continue to be our biggest adversary. Adoption of the latest state-of-the-art weapons and technology is the need of the hour and the effort put in by the Union government in this regard is commendable.
Gyan Chaturvedi,
On email.