Letters to Frontline-III

These letters are the development of my creative tie-ups with the current events as well as with the prestigious Frontline magazine….subtle opinions expressed through the letter reveals my take on the matter...

#. Encounter Killings (November6, 2009, Frontline)
FRONTLINE deserves praise for drawing attention to extrajudicial killings in India (Cover story, October9). The way Ishrat Jahan was killed makes a mockery of the legal and moral ethos of our democracy.

#. -Maoists (December 4, 2009, Frontline)
Both the Maoists and the government must strive to change their ongoing stand on violence by sharing a political platform instead of battlegrounds to sort out the chronic socio-economic maladies of the hinterlands. The government has to accept the reality of the discontent in these areas. Naxalism and any other movement that emerges from socio-economic inequality need to be seen with a fresh perspective because counter-insurgency or any other violent move by the state on their own citizens will only intensify the anguish and desperation of the people. The Maoist in India needs to take a fresh look at their basic ideology.

#. Dalits (January1, 2010, Frontline)
Many members of the Schedule castes and Schedule Tribes are still deprived of socio-economic benefits (“Victims always”, December4) and suffer at the hands of the authorities, feudal lords, neo-capitalists and even their empowered peers. Twenty years after the S.C and S.T (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, states have largely failed to implement it. The plight of the S.C and S.T must be seen within an integrated development framework and not in isolation.

Atul Kumar Thakur
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
New Delhi/December24th2009
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com

Letters to Frontline-II

Subtle views have their own specialty to comprehend and rationalize the crux of matters. Present post is just the way forward in this manner... these letters have been emerged straight out of my concern with respective issues…

Budget2009 (August14, 2009, Frontline)
The Budget marks the shift of the second UPA government from the Common Minimum Programme to a programme of more liberalization. To infuse new hope into the economy it is essential to come up with a strategy that is suited to our own requirements of inclusive development instead of borrowing ideas.

Public banks (September11, 2009, Frontline)
The manner in which the Indian Banking Association acted towards almost ten lakh Public Sector bankers is a matter of grave concern (“Strike notice”, August14). The proposed merger of banks is another serious issue. It cannot be applied to the subsidiaries of State Bank of India and other nationalized banks as their business model is distinct from that of the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). The IBA must opt for an amicable solution taking into consideration the genuine demands of the bank unions. The splendid performance of Public Sector banks in these adverse times and the implementation of the sixth pay commission report in various government departments make the bankers’ demand justifiable.

Afghanistan (October9, 2009, Frontline)
The United States has no exit strategy from its present more than half a decade involvement in Afghanistan (“Obama’s unspoken trade off”, September11). It is shocking that the military action is being prolonged by president Obama.
The United Nations must intervene to end this long, disastrous occupation and ensure swift justice for civilians. Members of NATO must think of the price they are paying for being the U.S.’ allies in its so-called war against terror.

(Atul Kumar Thakur
Ghaziabad, U.P)
September 27th 2009, New Delhi
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com

My Views in Letters

I have been a long standing relationships with THE HINDU group since its provides me best impetus to look after on various issues. So, in my long association, often I found it imperative to feedback with my views...So I opted the letters page of FRONTLINE to decipher my tiny views but with genuine concern towards the contemporary happenings.

Recession, frontline (April 10, 2009)
The global financial meltdown has had an adverse effect on India (“Vanishing Jobs”, March 13). The service sector is facing setbacks and its magnitude is not less than in the U.S. In such circumstances a balanced approach needs to be taken by our policymakers to arrest the financial mayhem.

Sri Lanka, frontline (March 13, 2009)
The Sri Lankan military’s breakthrough will lessen the scale of violence inside the northern region but will not end the ethnic conflict until a genuine political solution is found by the government with the consent and participation of Tamils( Cover Story, February 27). The LTTE must realize its strategic limitations and should move towards a political solution of the problem.

GAZA, frontline (February 27, 2009)
Israel’s barbaric attack on Gaza is the biggest violation of international laws in recent times and is just another move to destabilize the Palestinian state (“Massacre of the innocents”, January 30). The action also raises questions on the silence of the international community. India should reassess its ties with Israel.

Atul Thakur,Ghaziabad,U.P

Afghanistan’s losses, frontline (April 26, 2002)
A prolonged phase of civil war and unrest in Afghanistan since the fall of the communist government led to the systematic destruction of ancient cites such as Aikhanoom, Begram, and Hadda (“Vandalised Afghanistan”, March 29). The destruction of cultural heritage is nothing but barbarism.
Atul Thakur,Madhubani, Bihar
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com