Just beat them at the game

Sir, If what happened on the last day of the test match in Sydney was shocking, then the events that have happened since have been nothing short of pathetically disgraceful. What is Ricky Ponting trying to prove by defending his and his team’s shoddy actions? It was a flagrant display of atrocious disrespect to the spirit of the game from the Aussies, who were desperate to win the game and match their record streak of 16 consecutive wins.

After the game, if Ponting had accepted that his side had been guilty of over-reacting, he might have been forgiven but then that is probably expecting too much of a man who not so long ago pushed aside a senior politician on the podium so that he could celebrate with his team.

Anil Kumble had every reason to feel aggrieved and we should all be proud of him for the way he has handled the situation with his customary poise and sangfroid straightforwardness.

Calling off the tour is not the solution. Remember, the last time Australia ran up 16 consecutive victories, it was India who stopped them. Now we have another chance. And just like last time, nobody is giving India a chance because the next test in being played on the quickest pitch in the world.
What could possibly be more motivating?

Raghu
Bangalore

Waste of money

Sir, This has reference to a column by Harish Bhat (DH, Jan 7). For a century old Canara Bank, a brand by itself, a change in its logo was not necessary. The earlier wordings “serving to grow & growing to serve” coined many years ago was apt.
The present logo misses on the service point. What is the point in spending crores on the change? Instead reduction/ increase in interest rate for borrowers/depositors could have been worthwhile.

M N Kamath
Bangalore

A social problem

Sir, Regarding Jellikattu, the intervention of Supreme Court is futile. The problem should be solved by social and religious organisations. Instead of completely banning the old practice the modus operandi should be modified. Attractive prizes should be given to those participants who opt for new mode of operation.

A H MAQDOOMI
Gulbarga

Inefficient state govt

Sir, It is sad to note that the ministers and bureaucrats were not able to get the approval of simple proposal of renaming of cities from the Central government, whereas other states were able to do so promptly. This shows sheer indifference and inefficiency on the part of state government in putting up proposals in a proper form. No wonder that many proposals such as power projects, railway lines, water supply, roads, etc, put up earlier were not approved or shelved.

T V RAO
Bangalore

Double standards

Sir, It is reported that the Congress party has condemned SGPC’s attempt to resurrect the ghost of Bindrenwala by honouring the murderers of Indira Gandhi as martyrs. But one wonders why the Congress party’s top brass has not shown the same reaction when Karunanidhi recently eulogised the death of Tamil Selvan, a top functionary of the LTTE, a terrorist organisation outlawed in this country for assassinating Rajiv Gandhi. More strangely, the death penalty awarded to some of the conspirators of that heinous crime has not been carried out by Tamil Nadu government till date and even Sonia does not seem to mind it. Why then this outrage against SGPC?

V VENKATASUBRAMANIAN
Mumbai

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