Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address was unusually different. There was that stamp of authority, diligence, assertiveness and a strong urge to make the people wholly responsive. That also reminded one of the early days after attaining independence when politicians were regarded as the servants of society and behaved in that manner too.
Talk about inclusiveness, a clean and prosperous India, e-governance, making India a manufacturing hub, model village scheme, empowering youth and rooting out corruption and crimes with an iron hand, are welcome steps to rebuild the national character.
Practice what you preach should be the mantra. Modi did that with absolute dedication to make Gujarat a prosperous land. He is now earnestly attempting that with other parts of the country through a complete overhaul of men and machinery.
Srinivasan Umashankar
Nagpur
Right focus
Modi’s I-Day speech was an outstanding performance, free from the ritualistic and formal statements usually witnessed on such occasions. Instead of making the usual policy enunciations, he catalogued the most urgent and important items, which called for early attention.
One was the need for improving toilet facilities at schools, and where none existed, attention to cleanliness.
TR Anandan
Maiden triumph
The Prime Minister’s maiden, impromptu I-Day speech was most impressive. Without a bullet-proof enclosure, his speech, which began by asserting that he was just a prime servant and not the Prime Minister, moved the people. His revelation that there were skirmishes among senior officials in various departments and lack of cooperation was something no other Prime Minister had disclosed. He emphasised that good governance was a must for progress.
Modi’s flow of thought, without relying on a prepared speech, and his resolve to fulfil all the promises made to the electorate, speaks volumes about his knowledge on various subjects and issues.
His call to shun bigotry aimed at winning votes should push political parties to change tack and impress the electorate with real issues besetting the country.
HP Murali
Bangalore
Gross inequity
This refers to “CEO pay: Private sector still far ahead of PSUs” by Nalinakanthi V (August 18). The wide disparity between the pay structure of senior executives in the private sector and that of their counterparts in PSUs is shocking.
This anomaly must be seriously addressed by the Government. Even imposing a ceiling on such exorbitant emoluments must be thought of. After all, how much money does one require to lead a luxurious life? Executives in the private sector who are being paid such hefty sums should voluntarily opt for lesser emoluments.
This gesture will only add to their stature.
CG Kuriakose
Kerala
Society first
This refers to the article “Regulatory challenges in insurance” (August 17). The companies are rejecting claims without proper reasons. When this happens in our country, where the legal system takes a long time to settle cases, how can the middle class and the poor get their claims? We need regulation defining the policy wordings of companies, especially in the case of health insurance.
FDI money is chasing returns, and there is nothing wrong with it, but profiteering cannot be allowed and shouldn’t be tolerated.
In the US, congressional testimonies by doctors working for health insurance companies have clearly said that they rejected the claims without any scientific backing to maximise profits for their company. Any industry should serve the needs of society first, and the return on capital should not be their only focus.
Not just FDI in insurance, we should also welcome sensible regulationneeded to prevent improper selling of policies and unnecessary claim rejections.
CR Arun
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