India’s farmers aren’t convinced
The Gulf News story about how India’s powerful farming lobby turned on Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an interesting read (‘India’s farming lobby turns on Modi’, Gulf News, April 19). The ongoing land bill amendment in the Indian Parliament and all the opposition parties’ agitation against this bill is continuing. In a recent development, one farmer who voted for Modi was talking about how neither the rains favoured them, nor Modi ‘s bill. Even though the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government expressed its favour for the bill and talked about how the country will develop in industrial growth and infrastructure in rural areas, it was not convincing enough for the farmers. The NDA is caught in a tricky situation: will the Modi government modify the amendment, which will be a benefit for both farmers and the government’s policies? We will have to wait and see.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Gandhi grasping at straws
The whole idea and purpose behind holding a farmers’ rally, as it has now become clear, was to re-launch the Vice President of the Indian National Congress party Rahul Gandhi, into the political arena, where he failed miserably in his previous stint. In his speech, all that Gandhi uttered were accusations against Modi following the Gujarat model and usurping lands from farmers to give it to industrialists in return for benefits. Even assuming this is true, is it not ironical for Gandhi to say this when Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of the Gandhi’s, is alleged to have benefitted from the lands offered to him by the previous Congress government at ridiculously low prices?
What have they done for farmers in the past decade, when their party was in power? Rather than highlighting deficiencies in the land bill, the Modi government is trying to act. Gandhi’s attack against Modi exposed his lack of in-depth knowledge of real issues regarding the current land bill. Giving a speech at a public rally won’t help, but engaging in serious debates will help him to understand the varying viewpoints. Gandhi is still lacking the ability to debate and no amount of self introspection and rejuvenation sessions can transform him, as he does not have a natural ability for politics. You can re-label, remodel and rebrand a product, but if the product is not of good quality, it will continue to get rejected.
From Mr Ganeshan Srinivasan
UAE
Not made to be a politician
Perhaps there is more to Rahul Gandhi’s story than what people think. To give an honest opinion, I don’t get the impression that Gandhi is cut out for the nuances of Indian politics in the first place. It appears as if he either lacks the fundamental ingredients that make up a natural leader or is clearly proving politics is not his forte. Following his father’s death, political ambitions were thrust upon the son by the party leaders, who could not imagine a replacement from anyone outside the Nehru dynasty. If there is one thing that most political analysts overlook, it is the fact that since the time of the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and the fourth Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the younger generation who are Western-educated have somehow failed to relate to the sentiments of the poor masses of India.
The unexpected break that Gandhi took with the intention of rejuvenating himself didn’t create many ripples in the party and everything went on as usual. Ironically, his absence created anxiety among members from other factions and opposition circles, with many speculating on his whereabouts. Unidentified sources went on to say that he had gone to Himalayas, while others came up with conclusions that he was on a trip to meditate in an ashram or that he has been with a spiritual guru for guidance. Finally, when his plane from Thailand touched down, it drew the curtain on all speculations, but he remained tight-lipped about the whole affair. All this has been quite irresponsible on the part of someone who represents the largest political party of India. People had every right to know, since he is a public figure.
From Mr V. I. Mohammad Sageer
Dubai
Regular phones do the trick
Give children just a regular phone, and not the smartphone (‘Facebook debate: Child safety and smartphones’, Gulf News, April 19). A simple phone can do the tasks effectively needed for keeping children safe. Always supervise children when they are connected to the internet. They need to be protected and guarded in this wild world.
From Ms Hafizhah Pasha
UAE
Accept the evolution
Technology can infiltrate our personal space and smartphones are no exception. It’s a blessing, unlike in the earlier ages, when my mother used to get anxious until I returned home from school or from a friend’s place. I had guidelines on returning home at previously agreed times or was told to go out only during specific periods of the day. We must set the same guidelines today for smartphones, with regards to its usage, and set a pre-approved list of callers for sharing information and chatting. Earlier, the danger used to be real-life stalkers, and now maybe it’s progressed to stalking through smartphones. Guide and make children deal with it. It’s a boon for safety, hands down.
From Mr Hemant Mundhra
UAE
No mercy for the murderers
Daesh, Boko Haram, Al Shabab and Al Qaida are not just terrorists, nor are they politically motivated (‘Letters to the editor: What has Nigeria done to stop Boko Haram?’, Gulf News, April 20). They are not motivated by religion because there is no religion with tenets that approve of what these miscreants do. The members of such groups are simply kidnappers, rapists and murderers.
As such, they should be caught and suffer the only suitable penalty — that of death. Pacifists may be outraged and human rights activists incensed, but the rights of every decent, normal and moral living human being must be protected and there can be no forgiveness or second chances and no jail cell wasted on them. Eradication and annihilation for those who captured the Nigerian girls is necessary. Only the harshest of penalties can be the means to eradicate this growing problem.
This is a global problem and, as such, should be eradicated by a global effort — a committed and severe effort of full force. For the abducted girls and their families, for the victims and the families of bomb attacks, killing sprees and mass murders, it is time to stop talking and to stop writing and saying how terrible this all is — it is time to act, decisively. Some may say that this opinion is no better than those we are suffering by. I would respond by saying: find another effective way to stop this evil and I will be the first to offer my congratulations.
From Mr David Woodward
Dubai
Change in governance has an impact
The easiest of all things for any terrorist organisation is to abduct and torture helpless civilians, of whom, the most defenceless surely are the young. We live in such a highly technology-driven world that it is not hard for the common man to believe that efforts have been unsatisfactory in locating the Nigerian girls. The world has become so self-centred that before lending a helping hand, even those who are powerful first look at what they get in return.
When the incident happened a year ago, Nigeria was in the last year of governance under the former president. With a general election looming in a matter of months, the superpowers of the world didn’t want to waste their efforts and resources by supporting this West African nation, for they themselves didn’t know who would ascend to power after the elections. With a new government at the helm now, and due to the plain fact that a new government has just come into power, there may be a greater possibility that we will now see some action from superpowers. Of course, not with the intention of helping the victims, but with their eyes on some solid returns in the form of oil, which Nigeria is rich in, along with other natural resources. Whatsoever be the interests of those superpowers who can still assist in recovering these kidnapped young women, let us be hopeful of at least some action now from these mighty ones, to bring the girls home. After all, better late than never.
From Mr Rejees Choolayil
UAE
Some lives more valuable than others?
The hue and cry will ultimately die down and be forgotten, unlike other human tragedies worldwide. Just imagine what would have happened had such unfortunate incidents occurred in any European or Western country. Their governments would leave no stone unturned to track down, save lives and bring such barbaric criminals to justice by any means. Our hearts go out to the grieving families who have been going through the agonies of losing their beloved girls without much support from the international community. I hope that the girls are reunited with their families soon.
From Mr Aslam Doi
Dubai
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