Kanika Datta's column "Hares and tortoises" (Swot, December 4) induced me to think about the needed reforms in India for achieving accelerated growth. It is clear that there is a need for structural reforms, but are they needed in fiscal policies or some other areas? Given the unnecessary noise the saffron activists have been making against people who are not Hindus, it is clear that someone has to do something about this. What is shocking is the discussion in the social media, which justifies people making such noise.
Nouriel Roubini, mentioned in the column, will not easily comprehend the adverse impact these noises are creating in terms of social tranquility and their effect on the morale of Indians at home and overseas. This is where Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take some decisions. His silence is making the situation more turbulent. This will dilute other reforms he is trying to introduce in areas such as sanitation, infrastructure and so on. Unless sanity prevails among such activists, mainstream Indians will not be induced to be creative, work hard and help the nation.
Chandrashekhar Ranade Washington DC
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number
