Editor,
On reading this headline readers would ask, ‘Why restore an old car?’ I have great responsibility as a citizen to point out a few things to enlighten those members of the public who enjoy the breakthrough in electronics engineering but do not want to ask how things actually work in the long run. The EVM is not a smart phone, it is not your digibox for satellite link, it is not your scientific calculator, and it is not even a trader’s calculator. It is too easy a circuit that I am at my wits end as to what to compare it to. The CEC has given the excuse about paper jamming. In 2014 it was found that humidity of a place might have been the cause for paper jamming. Then why not rectify the fault? Forget GPS, forget weather forecast software, if a mango trader selling mangoes at Rs 51 per kg for what he bought at Rs 34 per kg, then with a movement of his finger he would smile when his cheap calculator (Orpat say) shows 50 percent gain. If it shows 50% loss he cannot file a case against Orpat the company but just throw away the machine. The only discrepancy of the calculator is the buy one mango and get one free mantra. It’s like loading your truck with fourteen tons and getting fourteen tons free as used to be done in the 80’s. I consulted leading economists and Arithmetic teachers of class X but none of them could understand this logic. I believe it is in the DNA of business to defy Balakot like tsunami and all laws of diminishing returns, or I.C. curves (indifference curve). Jobs or no jobs, no difference. Economic slowdown or flow high no difference; RBI regulations or not it makes no difference; CBI cleansed or not it makes no difference
Assuming we commit mistakes in soldering or linking fuses, then some questions to answer would be (1) Why confuse challenge votes with deviant behaviour? (2) When EVM was to be introduced, why did we forget to create rules or laws to deal with deviant behaviour? (3) Which elector would be foolish enough to depend on a machine as a judge and challenge it at the risk of having to pay Rs 10,000 as fine and six months imprisonment? (4) SC has categorically ordered that EC should respond to the three complainants against EVMs. What have they done? If yes, were the findings made public? (5) What is the use of EC finding anything when 23rd May has come and gone and a new Government is already in place? (6) In future will the EC pronounce that any elector, say in Leh, Ladakh who has a complaint should bring Rs 10,000 and a blanket?
We should accept our limitations. Before ASAT test there was a failed attempt to shoot Micro SAT R on February 12 this year. No man is free from failures. The ballot paper is the best bet.
Yours etc.,
M.Khyriem
Via- email.
Humanity above all else
Editor,
The news item, “Hindu, Muslim couples undergo kidney swap in Punjab” (ST, May 30 2019), immediately gave me a sense of gladness. At the end of the day we are all human beings of flesh and blood. We are all creations of the One above. We may be defined by our birth, our religion, our race, our community but the colour of our blood that runs in each one of us is the same. The numerous faiths and religions that we are born into or a faith that we believe in are but different routes that will lead us to only one destination. While no religion, no faith will teach us the wrong tenets can we not be more Godly in our actions here on earth? To love one another and treat one another with love and respect is the greatest religion that humankind must follow. We don’t need wars, we don’t need violence, and we don’t need enmity! All that we need is love, adoration and reverence for one another. When we love one another we love God!
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
Modi starts on a sour note
Editor,
The new Modi ministry began its second term journey with a bumpy start. One of the alliance partners of the NDA, namely the Janata Dal (United) led by Nitish Kumar is sulking and has decided to opt out of the Cabinet. The JD (U) was offered one ministerial berth but the party turned it down saying it is not interested in having a symbolic presence in the new government. Nitish Kumar has stated that it is not necessary to be in the Cabinet but that the JD (U) will continue to be in the NDA and the alliance is united. The party had demanded three berths in the central Cabinet but Modi was prepared to give only one berth, which made the JD (U) take a decision to opt out of the Cabinet. Thus, a shaky start for the ministry on the first day itself does not augur well for the Government, though there is nothing for Modi to fear. But this distasteful experience on the first day has given a chance to the Opposition to cast aspersions on Modi’s government. At the same time, this incident is expected to peter out without gaining much traction.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email