Letters to the Editor: Invest in means rather than ends

Emulating West India tried to replicate the cobbled streets of Belgium and other European countries by opting for cheap but durable cement blocks, which come at a price of Rs 20–30 a block. The merit of this kind of street made with blocks is that it needs very little maintenance.

But ours is a country where workers are largely unskilled, and because of this, we do not see any development. Now that the workers employed in laying these blocks are unskilled, many people have complained of water logging in these streets. If, after spending so much on creating a network of good roads, such problems crop up, it means that we are investing in the ends rather than the means.

We first have to skill our labourers if we want to see actual development, or we will forever carry the “developing” tag with us.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur.

TN withdraws consent for CBI

Tamil Nadu has become the tenth state to withdraw general consent for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Permission of the state government for the CBI to conduct investigations relating to corruption, economic offences, crime, or violence in that particular state. The Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1941, under which the CBI was setup, has defined general consent and specific consent that can be accorded by the states to the CBI to function in their territories. If the general permission is withdrawn by a state, then the premier investigation agency has to seek the state’s consent every time it wants to investigate a case in that state. Only the Supreme Court and the High Courts can order a CBI investigation in any state without the state’s nod. The withdrawal of consent by a state from the CBI, however, has bearing on cases already being investigated by the agency.

The CBI’s slide began the day it started dancing to the tune of the government in power at the Centre. Hound your enemy through the handy tool called CBI, which became the mantra of the powers that be. In 2013, the Supreme Court said the CBI was a ‘caged parrot’ following the orders of its ‘ master’, the government. Many past directors of the agency have admitted, some in private, that the exalted institution cannot be freed from political interference. The federal system of governance in India has clearly demarcated powers between the centre and the states. By the 1941 rule itself, the CBI is an agency that has no autonomous powers. The apex court has said that, keeping in mind the federal structure of the country, the CBI cannot infringe upon the states. By the same token, If the agency is accorded unbridled power without making it an autonomous body, its misuse may be the order of the day.

Dr Ganapathi Bhat,

(gbhat13@gmail.com.)

Benefits of practising yoga

Yoga can mean different things to different people, but the definition of Yoga comes from its ancient Sanskrit root word 'yuj', which means 'to yoke' or 'to join'. Yoga is the best medicine a doctor can prescribe to a patient. It plays an important role in our lives and keeps us fit and healthy. It is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfilment, harmony between man and nature, and a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Yoga can be more beneficial for some ailments than medication and help keep both the mind and body healthy. The best time to practise yoga is early in the morning. The physical benefits of yoga include improved flexibility and mobility. It strengthens and builds muscles, increases stamina, and improves digestion, among other benefits. Additionally, yoga helps with concentration and reduces stress. All of us must consider incorporating yoga into our lives. Through yoga, one can profoundly explore the very mechanics of life. It is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline and is beneficial if practised on a daily basis. International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21.

Jubel D'Cruz,

Jubeldcruz@yahoo.com.