There are a couple of areas in which the Indian government ought to put in a little more effort.
Published: Fri 22 May 2015, 4:26 PM
Last updated: Sun 26 Jul 2015, 4:13 PM
In India's Interests
Congratulations for making the India Special (May 15) articles informative and educative, and covering the various changes taking place under the new government. It looks like a number of promises made by the present rule may be achieved due to the efforts of its A-team in operation!
There are a couple of areas in which the Indian government ought to put in a little more effort. The first would be to bring about a national educational policy, which can be promoted by an educational tax payable by all business enterprises. All these bodies may be directed to mandatorily pay, say, 2 per cent of their profits to this fund, to the state government of the place where they are loca-ted. The latter can, in turn, utilise the funds to set up schools and colleges and make education compulsory for all citizens. As an incentive, the payments could be compensated by a similar amount being exempted from the tax structure on the businesses' total profits. Educated Indians will be the country's biggest asset in the future. Big corporate businesses should also be encouraged to set up high tech colleges, research centres and laboratories.
The second move could ensure agriculture gets additional attention, to ensure the growth of this sector. We must remember that America's strength today is inherently derived from its strong agricultural foundation, and under their Public Law 480, the USA has literally fed the world for decades. India has also greatly improved from being a food grain importer to becoming a leading exporter of grains and other agricultural produce. Its land and human resources can be put to good use and help the world at large, particularly the poorer African countries.
Meantime, I'd like to point out important Indian achievements vis-à-vis its progress in space research and technology, and its prompt humanitarian action when the tsunami struck the south Asian region a decade ago, or during the latest earthquake tragedy in Nepal.
Congratulations on your winning entry, AK Ramdas! We will be in touch soon.
Family is Everything
The first thing that struck me on reading We Are Family (May 15) is that we have indeed become a world of "days". I had never heard about this particular day before.
Back in the good old days, we celebrated Mother's Day, Friendship Day, Workers' Day, April Fool's Day, and a few more. Today, the list is endless. In this fast paced world, such "designated days" remind people that there is more to it than going full throttle in the race of life.
Family has always been the backbone of human evolution. Over the last decade or so, globalisation, industrialisation and technological advances have taken a heavy toll on the family unit. Crime, stress, and depression have managed to get a strong foothold in society. The disintegration of the family unit has contributed in a big way to these problems. Youth with no family support and guidance are bound to give vent to their growing turmoil through criminal activities. It is high time that people and organisations around the world realise this and work towards restoring the crumbling walls of the family unit.
While we fight the vices of today, we need to groom children and youth with the right morals and prepare them for a better tomorrow.
SN John, by email
Today, love is expressed only via 'likes' and 'comments'. Our generation has forgotten the essence of familial love. Special events like International Family Day try to spread the right message, but we must do our part in 'posting' love on every 'wall'. As responsible parents, we should try to strengthen the bonds within our family.
The article (We Are Family, May 15) has helped me take decisions like reducing 'gadget' time and increasing personal 'interaction' time, having at least one meal of the day with the family, which is very practical and easy to follow. Then, though it isn't easy, I try to get my children to spend time with their grandparents. This helps in passing values from generation to generation and also makes the family stronger. Like they say, a house is made of brick and mortar, but a home is made from love and dreams.
Shubhendu Muhury, Dubai
How to be Nice
When I first read Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In, I was amazed at the findings it presented. In a simple, no-nonsense manner, the book perfectly portrayed the troubles women go through on a day-to-day basis, and how they are perceived at home and at work.
The wknd. article How to Play Nice (Without Being a Pushover), (May 15) seemed like an extension of her book. It is not easy to be both nice and assertive when you are in a position of power. Being perceived as both is rare, which is why the tips shared were enlightening. Hopefully, more people - and especially women - will have the confidence to make demands, negotiate, and stand up for themselves. It is not an overnight process, but as the article states, it is about taking those crucial baby steps.
Pallavi Bijlani, Dubai