Green wings; Peace talks; Right choice; Parting shot

Green wings

• Sir - The Gurgaon-based private airline, SpiceJet, recently operated India's first test flight powered by biojet fuel from Dehradun to New Delhi ("SpiceJet operates India's first biojet fuel flight", Aug 27). The event was attended by some high-profile Union ministers.

The aviation industry is a prime contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. If it can move towards cleaner fuel, pollution will come down significantly. One would, therefore, like to commend those behind the biojet fuel initiative. Not only will it lead to a gradual reduction in pollution, but it will also bring down costs of air travel.

Afraaz Sidhu,

Jalandhar

Peace talks

• Sir - In the article, "Time to talk" (Aug 27), Manini Chatterjee has justifiably said that India must accept the offer of the new prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. The Pakistan premier has suggested that India and Pakistan resolve bilateral issues through peaceful negotiations. There is no doubt that the long-standing issue of Kashmir can be settled only through a proper dialogue between the two countries. If we keep the matter unresolved, defence expenditures will shoot up further. This will adversely impact the lives of poor people on both sides of the border.

Moreover, peaceful relations between the subcontinental giants would encourage foreign investors to invest here - thereby leading to all-round development of the region.

The former prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had taken numerous steps to better ties with Pakistan. He had realized that peace with Islamabad was worth striving for, even if it was not electorally expedient. Narendra Modi would do well to follow the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor.

Benu Kumar Bose,

Calcutta

• Sir - Manini Chatterjee exuded a childlike enthusiasm while talking about Pakistan's peace overtures to India. Although it cannot be denied that lasting peace will be beneficial for both the nations, India must be cautious while responding to any offer from Pakistan. Islamabad is in the habit of backstabbing. The bus trip to Lahore by Atal Bihari Vajpayee was reciprocated with the Kargil war. Hence the Indian government is justified in giving a lukewarm response to the proposal of our western neighbour.

Sadly, while talking about India-Pakistan ties, the columnist seemed more interested in taking potshots against the current dispensation in New Delhi. She even said that India had rejected aid grant from the United Arab Emirates for the flood victims in Kerala, even when there are doubts over the claims that the Gulf country made an offer of Rs 700 crore.

Subodh Jha,

Gangtok

• Sir - In her article, "Time to talk", Manini Chatterjee has rightly reasoned that India should reciprocate Imran Khan's offer to restart the stalled peace process. Disputes between India and Pakistan, including the vexed issue of Kashmir, can be resolved through comprehensive dialogue. Unfortunately, Narendra Modi seems to be making a spectacle out of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death to win the forthcoming general elections instead of following the latter's endeavour to build a bridge of understanding with Pakistan.

S.S. Paul,

Nadia

• Sir - The change of guard in Pakistan has brightened prospects of peace in the subcontinent. The Narendra Modi-led government should not let the opportunity go to waste.

Prabhas Ray,

Calcutta

Right choice

• Sir - The newly-elected president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, M.K. Stalin, came down heavily on the Bharatiya Janata Party ("Stalin trains guns on BJP", Aug 29). In his very first speech as the party president, Stalin criticized the Narendra Modi-led dispensation for playing communal politics. By doing so, he has decisively put an end to the speculations on a possible tie-up between the BJP and the Dravidian party. The latter had last parted ways with the saffron party about 15 years ago.

It is laudable that Stalin left no ambiguity and spelt out his mind clearly. The ordinary party workers wanted to see him make such an assertion. Stalin is indeed the right choice to lead the party.

Tharcius S. Fernando,

Chennai

Parting shot

• Sir - The Indian badminton star, P.V. Sindhu, failed to cross the last hurdle at the Asian Games ("Sindhu settles for silver after losing to Tai Tzu-Ying", Aug 28). She lost the women's singles final to Tai Tzu-Ying of Chinese Taipei. Sindhu's opponent played aggressively right from the start and took the first five points of the match. Thereafter, the Indian player could not get back into the game.

Sindhu has made a habit of losing in the finals. In April, she lost to Saina Nehwal in the Commonwealth Games final. After that heartbreak, she again had to settle for a silver medal at the World Championships held in Nanjing, China. It seems that in the finals, Sindhu takes undue pressure on herself and fails to play her natural game.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,

Faridabad