Editor,
The electoral results in UP which have been closely watched by political pundits and analysts has once again brought into focus the unstoppable progress of Narendra Modi and the BJP until 2019. Other parties trying to resist this change should hopefully rethink their strategies. Amit Shah the man behind the BJP’s win who has been criticised as being communal, aggressive etc…has now risen to a position which no party member in the Party can resist and he has proved Modi right and the detractors or critics wrong. There was no polarisation, no hate language nor any form of communal behaviour. The duo spoke of unity amongst all communities and sections of society. The 2018 elections in Meghalaya will also be carefully watched and who knows the man behind the BJP’s win may drive the Congress out of power.
Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar,
Via email
Maternity benefit
Editor,
This refers to your editorial “A Welcome Bill “ (ST- March 13, 2017). The amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, raising the eligible maternity leave for women with full pay from 12 to 26 weeks in all establishments, passed by Rajya Sabha will be a huge relief for many women. It is a recognition of the services that a woman renders to the family and to society at large. This amendment is a progressive, long-overdue accomplishment that indicates social and economic advancement, holding tremendous benefits for the working women in India’s job market. While women have become economically independent over the decades, men have begun playing a larger role in parenthood. Mothers need more time with their newborns and this change will certainly work to address their long-term fight for equality in the workplace and giving their partners an equal share of responsibility around the home and in bringing up children. The amendments would ensure that full maternal care is provided during the full bloom period and will encourage more women to join the workforce in the organised sector.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad – 15