This refers to “GSLV MkIII launch catapults ISRO into the heavy-payload market” (June 6). Kudos to ISRO for successfully launching one of its heaviest communication satellites, the GSAT-19. In terms of space technology we are now on par with any developed nation. ISRO also had many failures but that never bogged it down. Our country is competing with other international players for a greater share of the launch market, and is known for its low-cost space programme. The superior launch capability also builds up India’s potential to undertake deep space exploration more seriously.
Vinod C Dixit
ISRO’s historic launch amply demonstrates that our scientists, technicians and skilled labourers are second to none and committed to taking the country to new heights. By putting a four-tonne payload into higher orbits, India joins the big boys — Russia, the United States and China — as the only countries to achieve the feat.
NJ Ravi Chander
Bengaluru
IT job losses
The ITeS sector was an island of income and college freshers were offered hefty pay packets. Employees sans pressure groups in the form of trade unions have been exploited. They were used as head counts to raise salary bills from clients and only a portion was passed on to the employees.
With easy credit made available at their doorsteps, assets like houses, cars and consumer durables were taken. Employees did not think of trade unions as they felt there was no need. But now the job security of over two lakh engineers is at stake. They should not delay the formation of trade unions, as it is a fundamental right. Registered trade unions should guide IT employees and groom them in the nuances of trade unions. Trade unions are transformed; the politics of obstructionism are a thing of past.
S Veeraraghavan
Coimbatore
The news about widespread job cuts in IT sector and imminent slowdown of the industry in 2017 and after, is disturbing. Though reasons like shift in the technology platform are being floated around, compression in revenue on account of growing protectionism due to policy changes in US and the impact of Brexit have also played their part.
Though the Nasscom report says that the retrenchment is performance linked, looking at the sudden spurt in layoffs, this appears contrary to reality. Mid-level employees who have put about 8-12 years of experience and earn in the range of 12-30 lacs are vulnerable to job losses. This section is the weakest link in the chain and are the ones striving to settle in life with home, personal and other loan liabilities to meet.
Srinivasan Velamur
Chennai
We cannot eat money
Apropos protest by Maharashtra farmers, it is shocking to read about the plight of Indian farmers in leading dailies. One remembers verse 1032 of The Thirukkural (Tamil literature) which says “Farmers are the lynch-pin of the world, for they support all those who take to other work, not having the strength to plow.” Though converting farm land for industrialisation looks sunny, let us remember we cannot eat money. Even currency notes are made using cotton produced by the farmer. An urgent policy intervention by the Government coupled with a good strategy to add respectability to farming.
TS Karthik
Chennai
CBI raids on NDTV
The CBI raids on the house and office of Prannoy Roy that came about as a result of NDTV’s role as a news channel vis-a-vis the Modi government were a naked assault on the freedom of the press . NDTV seemed to have incurred BJP’s anger by its refusal to glorify the Government as most TV channels do.
G David Milton
Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu
Erratum
b In the story “GSLV MkIII launch catapults ISRO into the heavy-payload market” (June 6), ISRO’s chairman was mistakenly identified as Krishna Kumar. The correct name is Dr AS Kiran Kumar. The error is regretted.
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