opinion LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Statesman 25 Jan 2015 BCCI functions as corporate enterprise SIR, ~ Apropos the report, “Choose BCCI post or CSK, SC to Srinivasan” (23 January), the past two decades have witnessed a sharp deviation in the role of BCCI. Far from promoting cricket in a methodical manner ~ scouting for talent, encouraging promising cricketers, training etc ~ the BCCI has functioned as a corporate enterprise, intent on making money. Politicians and industrialists run the BCCI. Irregularities have taken place during N Srinivasan’s tenure. If a cricketer can be banned for chucking or bent-arm bowling, why can’t a cricket administrator be shown the door? The BCCI is the richest cricket-body in the world. Because of its money-power, it tends to dictate terms to other Test-playing countries. This attitude is harmful for any sports entity. A board, dedicated to cricket and its development, is imperative. The government ought to probe the funding of BCCI. yours, etc., rupam guha, kolkata, 23 january. Woes of the farmer SIR, ~ This is with reference to Arunabha Bagchi’s article, “Hone the skills” (4 January). Research has revealed that GDP growth originating in agriculture is at least twice as effective in reducing poverty as GDP growth originating outside agriculture. Therefore, propelling growth in agriculture is critical for India (World Development Report, 2008). During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Green Revolution was made possible because agricultural research had trickled down to the farmer. Later, the number of extension personnel failed to match the demand for services. After the 1980s, agricultural research failed to reach the farmer on many occasions. Despite the enhanced funding for district level Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ASHA) and renewed interest for Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), there is something fundamentally wrong with agriculture. Certain states, notably Maharashtra, are witnessing the dance of death. Close to three lakh farmers have committed suicide in the country during the past 17 years. Another 42 per cent want to quit agriculture if given a choice. This is merely a symptom of a bigger malaise that afflicts Indian agriculture. The woes of the farmer can also be attributed to the increasing input costs and the improper marketing facilities. yours, etc., jaydev jana, kolkata, 8 january. Now, postal banking SIR, ~ The Department of Posts has decided to introduce banking through its post offices. Still more important is the need to improve its existing services. Speedpost and registered mail take up to five days to reach Kolkata from Santiniketan, a distance of only 150 km. Ordinary/unregistered mail tend to go astray. There has been a sharp increase in speedpost charges and the quality of service runs in inverse proportion. Shortage of staff can never be an excuse for deteriorating services. There must be other bottlenecks as well. yours, etc., samir kr ghosh, santiniketan, 14 january. Laughing stock SIR, ~ Some politicians have claimed that the idol of Ganesh, the Hindu deity, is the symbol of the first plastic surgery in ancient India. In terms of science, they must be sub-ilterates. The whole world is laughing at us. Politicians should not use the forum of the Indian Science Congress to promote their political agenda, prejudices, and superstitions. Indians are not guinea-pigs of the political class. yours, etc., ranen dasgupta, kolkata, 6 january.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 11:11:16 +0000
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