A diplomatic breakthrough

Dear Sir,

The recent meeting of the national security advisers of (NSAs) of  India and Pakistan is a diplomatic breakthrough, given the two sides have been engaging in mutual blame game for quite some time, resulting in cancellation of bilateral talks.
An important outcome of the advisers’ meeting in Bangkok is that it has paved the way for India’s Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj, to visit Islamabad, to attend a multilateral conference on Afghanistan.
Both sides can utilise this opportunity to thrash out important matters such as frequent clashes and breach of peace at the Line of Control in Kashmir.
This must be seen as a good beginning. The two countries can agree or disagree, but they will have to start talking. Both India and Pakistan will benefit if they share their concerns and anxieties honestly between them. They should always keep open channels of communications between them. That is the only way to reduce border tensions and sort out other issues.

Ramesh G Jethwani, (Address supplied)

Extend help to flood-hit Chennai

Dear Sir,

I regret to note that while Chennai, a city of 4.6mn people on India’s southeast coast, has been under water for days now after incessant rains, claiming more than 280 lives, some politicians seem not to care at all. Members of parliament, representing Chennai, remain in New Delhi, far from the flood-hit city.
While voting, people should look closely which candidate will be  good for the place he or she represents instead of being swayed by clever propaganda and media manipulation.
I would like to call on private organisations, companies, Tamil NRIs, etc  to come forward and do their bit to help out Chennai now.
In this context, special thanks should go to the Uttar Pradesh state government and and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan for their aid to flood victims.
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced Rs250mn aid to Chennai flood victims. Shah Rukh Khan has donated Rs10mn.
A massive relief operation is required urgently to get food and medicines to tens of thousands of people.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa,  who has been criticised by some quarters for going missing in action after floods swept Chennai, seems to have realised the gravity of the situation now and doing her best to help the flood-hit city. Better late than never.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should  follow up the situation (not just touring the area by helicopter)  and  help speed up relief work. Modi, it must be noted, became the object of mockery on the social media after his press office released a doctored photo of him inspecting flood damage from a helicopter window.

Masud Hasan, (e-mail address supplied)

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