The phenomenal growth of the Life Insurance Corporation of India is the outcome of the tireless effort of its agents and employees (‘Betting big on life’, May 8). Nationalising the sector, which gave people access to insurance, was the brainchild of Jawaharlal Nehru. The LIC’s decision to go public, after earmarking a certain percentage of shares for policyholders, augurs well for the overall economic health of the nation.
B. Gurumurthy,
On email.
Your cover story on LIC’s initial public offering was timely. It cleared doubts and gave valid information. The IPO has created a kind of excitement that has never been seen before. It is driving people to open demat accounts, just to subscribe to the LIC IPO! Personally, I feel this is more hype than substance. Insurance agents often give misleading information on premiums and benefits of the policy. I feel they have more nuisance value than any other salesmen.
LIC’s profit-sharing plans do not cover basic insurance. It also does not give decent returns. The agents, who get a hefty commission, will harass you into submission. So, to get rid of them, you end up buying a policy. However, young people today are well informed and are not afraid to say no. So, over a period of time, LIC’s business is bound to come down, and it will reflect on the value of shares.
Dilip Gurjar,
On email.
Why death sentence?
Your story on Nimisha Priya was gut-wrenching (Alone in Sana’a, May 8). Though Priya killed Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni businessman, in 2017, it was justifiable, considering the physical torture and mental agony Mahdi had meted out to Priya.
It was Priya’s misfortune that she trusted and befriended Mahdi, a pathological criminal. I am sure Priya had no intention of killing him, but as ill luck would have it, Mahdi succumbed to the drug overdose.
Taking into account the situation that Priya’s family is going through, and an eight-year-old tiny tot who she has to look after, concerned authorities in India should leave no stone unturned to commute her death sentence to life imprisonment at the earliest.
Amar L. Naik,
On email.
Change in leadership
How many more Sri Lankan Tamils will enter India. Won’t it lead to a humanitarian crisis? Are we equipped to let them all in? There should be a long-term plan to tackle the refugee crisis emerging out of Sri Lanka. I feel a change in leadership in Colombo is the only way to resolve the crisis (‘Fleeing Lanka’, May 8).
Vrinda Gopi,
On email.
Stop blaming
The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022, is a progressive act providing tools to our enforcement agencies to work in this age of ever-advancing technology (‘System update’, May 8). Criticising progressive measures is the easiest route to glory for critics of Narendra Modi and the BJP. It is a fact that no law or plan can be perfect and work for eternity without being amended over the years. Even our Constitution has been amended from time to time. Agitating to stop any forward plan, citing hypothetical shortcomings, is a disservice to the nation. There are robust institutions and mechanism available in our country to check any misuse or abuse of power by government of the day.
S.P. Ashta,
Delhi.
Step up renewable energy
Recent measures by the Centre to increase coal supply to coal-based power plants located in various states for uninterrupted power production are welcome (‘Outage alert’, May 8).
To ensure this, a few express trains and long-distance mail were cancelled and diverted to expedite coal transport. It was good that supply of coal to states continued despite outstanding dues from their end.
Expansion of metro lines in the state capitals and in tier II/III cities, and such infrastructural activities will lead to a surge in power demand. Pace of renewable energy needs to be stepped up. Solar lights on all streets, bridges and flyovers in cities and towns would help in curtailing the demand for thermal power.
R.V. Baskaran,
On email.
Make way for popular leaders
If the Congress had inducted Prashant Kishore it would have been a game-changer (‘Last word’, May 8). Now it is a lost opportunity. The Congress is doomed if the Gandhis do not make way for younger leaders. The Gandhi family is not as popular as it used to be. Also, none of them (Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi) are in a position to communicate effectively, and in one voice, with the party cadre across the length and breadth of the country.
Kusuma Gowda,
On email.
Curb it
High decibel noise is hazardous to health as medically proven (‘Party snacks’, May 1). A church in Dapodi, Pune, used loudspeakers every Saturday evening to create a noise level that was hazardous to senior citizens, ailing residents, babies and students preparing for their examinations. After repeated complaints the noise level was reduced to an extent.
Noise pollution, whether from mosques, churches or temples, should be strictly curbed in the interest of public health and peace.
K.V. Dharmarajan,
On email.