Letters to the Editor: Look to Asia

This is with reference to ‘As India stays away’ by Pratap Bhanu Mehta (October 9). The need for India to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership has been rather exaggerated. Developed countries will be the real winners, as they can then tap the developing markets. India will have to compete hard to create a market in such a situation. Moreover it is not just prudent trade policy, but the demand for goods, that is important. It is true we have to use trade to forge a strong geopolitical position, but proper integration with Asian economies might be a better strategy. We should concentrate on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to achieve our goals. Pal Ajay Singh (Mumbai) Important Legacy With reference to ‘Hindu selfhood and cow stories’ by Aparna Vaidik (October 9), it is possible to mourn the murder of Mohammad Akhlaq as a person without obliterating the memories of your ancestors. The writer has convoluted a simple narrative by inserting the Rajput cattle raid into a communal narrative. They are unrelated, and Rajputs did not slaughter cows to eat them. I empathise with the Akhlaq family and call for the strictest possible punishment for the perpetrators of the ghastly crime without renouncing the legacy of my forefathers. We cannot always be politically correct. Shivraj Singh Rathore, (by email) CM’s Turn Apropos the editorial ‘Your turn, Mr Fadnavis’ (October 9), the Maharashtra chief minister is right to protect Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali, who was to perform in memory of the late ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. The Shiv Sena has again scored an own-goal. Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city, and whatever is going on in other parts of country, such as the beef ban, at least music, art, etc are binding people together. Art and music don’t have a religion. Sushant D. Dhekale (Kolhapur) Women at war This refers to the historic announcement by Air Chief Marshal Anup Raha of the Indian air force’s plan to induct women as fighter pilots. In view of the rampant gender discrimination in the male-dominated military, this shift was much required. It is in line with a recent Delhi High Court judgment allowing women to be granted permanent commissions in the navy. The arguments for limiting women to non-combat duties are deeply flawed and reflect our patriarchal mindset. As an aspiring world power, India cannot shrug off its responsibility to make its military establishment gender neutral. Varun Goyal (Delhi)