Today's letters
Sir,
BBMP’s step welcome
As reported in your newspaper, the initiative of the BBMP to speed up and streamline the process of plan approval for a new construction is welcome. This is expected to cut down delays and would make, hopefully, the process of getting a sanction easier. We need a booklet that contains all the building bye-laws in order that the proposed owner who wants to build a house is aware of the building laws so that as far as possible he sticks to the rules and regulations. Unfortunately, it's rare to find any building that's built as per the rules and regulations. That's why there is a need for a system to regularize the deviations likes the proposed 'akrama – sakrama". The time has also come to review rules and regulations for new construction that's in line with the prevailing reality.
D.B.N. Murthy
Bangalore
Planning needed
This refers to the floods due to heavy rainfall in Gulburga. Gulburga city is in a low lying area — surrounded by small hills or slightly higher altitude areas. This makes the city surface similar to a saucer. So, the surroundings of the city become its catchment’s area and all the rain water is collected in the low lying areas of the city. There is hardly any outlet for rainwater.
With proper planning, the rainwater can be diverted to an area which is at a lower altitude than the city and a new artificial lake can be created. This would supplement the lone SB Temple Lake and provide some solace to the people in terms of green space during hot summers. Also, this would help improve the groundwater table.
Sunil Ganapathi
Gulbarga.
Pawar should step down
Sharath T R
Mandya.
Is Cricket still a gentleman’s game?
We are again witnessing one of the saddest days in international cricket with the allegations of spot fixing by the Pakistan players. The love for the game in the sub continent is so intense and passionate that one would dare to entertain such accusations. However the ground reality is that the faith has been eroded by the players and their associates by agreeing to tarnish the reputation of the game in exchange for some quick money.
We are all aware that Pakistan has immense talent and was trying to get back into the international cricket by sheer performance. Unfortunately such incident has only blemishes their reputation and casts serious doubts on the functioning of the Pakistan Board too. There is this unwritten code of conduct to be followed in terms of discipline and behavior by the players and officials. And this spot fixing was a case of violation of such principles and value systems. The Pakistan Cricket Board needs to do some serious investigation and book the culprits immediately. People come to watch the game, to see two sides put up their best performance and not find out later that the results were fixed already. It is a clear insult to the conscience of many cricket lovers and a blot on the game. Within a few months the sub continent would be hosting the world cup which is a pride and honor for them. However the serious question that emerges is: Do we still term cricket as a gentlemen's game?
R Girish
Gaborone, Botswana
