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Letter Of The Week

The Week - 03/12/2008

Economic Divide in India

07 October 2008

Khaleej Times Editor Rahul Sharma has touched upon some interesting facts and figures of modern India in his engaging article (A growing economic divide in India, KT, Oct 5). In my opinion, it is not just because of the economic divide and resentment that violence is erupting across India.
There are core issues at the heart of this resentment, especially in a country like India where democracy has been so successful.
It is obviously sad to hear about the death of a company chief at the hands of workers. However, there are critical issues behind such actions by employees. In this context one cannot simply ignore the influence of trade unions in Indian companies.
They play a key role in the functions of these companies. It is a fact that India has changed a lot ever since the liberalisation was ushered in the 1990s. Regrettably, not enough has been done to help those at the lowest economic rung of the society.
Their basic needs should be given the priority they deserve by any successive government. I fear the current and ongoing real estate boom would not even satisfy the middle class in the society due to the inflation and high cost of living. There has to be some serious review of India’s policies and priorities focusing on the weaker sections of the society since they form the majority of the population.
Since a big chunk of the population depends on agriculture for survival, India should invest more in this sector. The growth should be measurable in terms of flexibility in society, its people and their basic needs.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

Sad reality

15 October 2008

 
I was depressed when I read about the latest round of deadly blasts that hit the Indian capital, Delhi (“Wave of terror blasts rock Indian capital”, Gulf News, September 14). Recently, several innocent lives have been lost due to suicide bomb attacks. Regretfully, investigations launched immediately after the terrible incidents did not help in identifying the culprits.  

I find this to be a major failure in the administrative system. It has become a common practice to launch probes whenever such incidents occur. However, the hue and cry of the general public and involved authorities usually comes to an end, with no proper headway in the investigation process.

Additionally, it is appalling that militant groups choose to target innocent civilians to catch the attention of their target audience. Perhaps it is time for the authorities to alter their strategy. Serious action must be taken against terrorists and strict precautionary measures implemented. Moreover, there should be a mechanism to alert the general public of such happenings in the future, especially in major cities that are crowded.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman

Female teachers shortchanged
17 October 2008  

I THANK Pratibha Umashankar for a well-focused campaign on teachers’ salaries. I don’t think the entire teaching community is paid less. It’s only the female teachers who get low remuneration for their effort (Low Wages – the Issue Rages, Oct 3).  

They don’t get many benefits that their male counterparts enjoy, for instance, housing allowance. I understand that female teachers are considered as dependents (staying with either husbands or fathers) and do not come under the male teaching staff category who are eligible for multiple allowances and perks. It seems they are not even eligible for air passage. I don’t understand why they are excluded. However, those who are recruited overseas enjoy many benefits.   In this context we should not blame the female teachers when they earn extra income through private tuitions.   

The other side of the story: I strongly feel that salary may be not a concern for many of the female teachers who desperately look for jobs. They accept an offer with a return that can meet their personal expenses and can avoid depending on their husbands or fathers. On the part of the school management, there should be a mechanism to review and regularise salaries and perks of teaching and non-teaching staff. Whilst performing the annual salary review process, they should also consider the prevailing cost of living and pay teachers a decent salary.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

Social groups

15 October 2008

Dishonesty and malpractice cannot be completely wiped out from society with the mere implementation of a law.

However, social and welfare organisations can play a better role in combating this menace, by educating people.

Additionally, a social group does not require a political label for its survival.

The focus should be on assisting society in the best possible manner.

With the support of effective organisations, countries could have a tremendous influence on public life.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman