CREATING WAVES
Sushil Bhatia and Purnendu Chatterjee (Cover Story) are two Indians who deserve the Bharat Ratna. Bhatia’s invention, the decopier, is an excellent example of out-of-the-box thinking. Like all great inventions, it is quite simple, involving application of heat and chemicals to erase stuff off printed sheets of paper. Chatterjee’s mega deal involving Europe’s plastic giant BASF, on the other hand, will certainly inspire many more Indians to go in for king-sized takeovers. May their tribe increase.
Vijay Saxena
Durban
It’s strange that Sushil Bhatia and Purnendu Chatterjee lack recogniition in their country, even as the West acknowledges their efforts. The West Bengal government continues to stonewall’s Chatterjee moves in Haldia Petrochemicals despite the fact that he has bailed out a perenially sick outfit. In Bhatia’s case, it’s different. His decopier may be Ripley’s stuff, but has remained off India’a radar.
Pankaj Malhotra
New Delhi
INVESTING GUIDE
Your investing in India section is just what the doctor ordered. For many non-resident Indians wishing to invest in their home country, it’s quite helpful. With so many non-resident Indians heading back to India these days, attracted by the surge in opportunities in their homebase, it’s going to be a very useful section if you guys make it a regular one. At least I would like to read up on the investment policies of the Indian government and the fine print before I plonk down my hard-earned cash.
Rohit
Toronto
The investment section can be beefed up by including stuff from various Indian states. Since states too have their own laws—and various sops and subsidies—regarding investment, it would complement the Central policies that you have been publishing.
Rajesh M
Fresno
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CABLE TANGLE
This refers to ‘Dream Merchant’. While cable TV charges may be hiked from January 2006, one does not mind paying a little more if one gets the channels of choice. But most viewers have no choice but to accept whatever channels cable operators pick and throw at them, as the operators have a monopoly. Even writing in the press has not helped in this matter. Even the must-carry channels of DD are not being shown on many cable networks. All the shouting that is happening now has little meaning now as the authorities concerned and the cable operators turn a deaf ear to all complaints and letters published in the press.
Sulabh Kumar
New Delhi
FLIGHT CLEARED
It’s heartening to read about Air-India getting a new lease of life, thanks to some deft manouevres by chairman Vasudevan Thulasidas. The Maharajah’s new boss has given the airline a much needed tailwind and looks like the days of red ink are well and truly over.
M. K. Srivastava
Lucknow
AMERICAN BACKLASH
This is regarding ‘She’s Bangalored’. Sona Shah’s anguish is quite understandable as she has lost her job for no fault of hers. True, this is a free market and jobs will got to places where salaries are low skills high. But try explaining that to Shah and the thousands of low-skilled Americans who are losing their call centre jobs to Indians. It’s highly unlikely these jobs will go back and Shah may never be reinstated, but at least her government could create a cushion.
Akanksha
New Delhi
NEW TAKE
I beg to differ from your take on Ridhima Kapoor (“No screen tests for Ridhima”, Hot Types). Ridhima has a bright future in films since she has inherited professional competence from Neetu and Rishi. I wish her all success.
Sangeeta Modi
Mumbai
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