Water woes

With reference to “Blowing up the future of the present” (June27), the acute drinking water problem faced by Chennai city is perennial and the stop gap measures adopted every year have become futile. Except for the 2015 unusual rains which flooded the city, the State has been helplessly dependent on monsoon rains, and relying on neighbouring States for its share of water. Interlinking of all rivers from north to south is touted as a possible solution. Tamil Nadu must seriously study the feasibility of transporting excess flood water from States such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka through pipelines to Chennai city by involving multilateral bodies such as World Bank.

Bengaluru

The water scenario in India is definitely very scary and challenging. The situation requires multi-pronged approach at war footing. It requires reducing the consumption by changing the lifestyle of people at the individual as well as at community level, increasing the availability of water by traditional and modern techniques and the formulation of sound and feasible government policy to manage the most important natural resource water — surface water, rainwater and ground water. To convert the policies into reality, public participation is paramount along with other stakeholders — government and non government agencies, activists and media. It should be everybody’s concern as it is a matter of survival of mankind.

With reference to ‘At Parliamentary Party meet, Rahul reiterates his decision to quit as Congress president’ (June 27), the Congress party must be finding itself at the cross-roads following Rahul Gandhi’s continued ‘insistence’ on quitting the party’s presidentship. As is well known, he had taken the sole responsibility for the party’s defeat in the Lok Sabha poll at its CWC meet held on May 25.

But, it was intriguing to read the Youth Congress statement: “The victory of communal forces has led to apprehension and concern in the minds of all those who believe in secular and democratic values. In such a situation, Rahul Gandhi should lead the party”. So, no lessons seem to have been learnt from the past as the same old story (Communal vs Secular) is being ‘parroted’ yet again. How could this party question the wisdom of the millions and millions of the voters across the country who wholeheartedly supported the BJP and its allies in NDA during these seven-phased elections?

One, earnestly wishes that, the Congress party’s top brass honestly carries out some soul-searching and analyse its failed poll strategy. Rahul Gandhi’s strategy of targeting PM Narendra Modi back fired on him. One genuinely hopes that the highly bewildered Congress party is soon able to find some suitable replacement for him.

Bengaluru

US Secretary of State Michael Richard Pompeo is one of a few to whom President Donald Trump lends an ear to. Along with John Robert Bolton, the National Security Advisor, the ruling troika nurses the agenda of a war on Iran, a retaliation for its alleged involvement in the terrorist activities in the Middle-East.

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close relationship with Trump is not reflected in the various decisions and actions of the Trump administration. The harsh decisions, be it the embargo on the oil import from Iran, on Russian S-400 Triumf anti-missile deal or withdrawing the General System of Preferences status to Indian business houses and trade concessions to Indian exports, controvert the existence of a long-term relationship.

Indian diplomacy seems to accord undue credence to the accolades regularly showered on Prime Minister Modi and the occasional statements on terrorism directed at Pakistan. The Trump-Troika is suspected of indulging in pushing its agenda without investing much. So Pompeo’s visit is more to gain assurance for its agenda; more importantly, the one on Iran with the planned military foray included.

Kozhikode

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