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Cycle of change

T. Mani, Tiruchi.

`Wheeling ahead of competition' (Oct 30) rightly picturises the quality of Indian cycles and the global competition. Though our main competitor is China, globalisation forces us to shape up in all industrial sectors.

The article also drew attention to the difficulties faced by small and medium-sized units. The problems are compounded by fears of unemployment and rising population-levels.

We must restrict our imports to items that are badly needed and not allow our country to become a dumping ground for the excess, low-cost productions of other countries.

For example, despite achieving excess sugar production during the last three years, we have been forced to import from Pakistan. The sugar industry's growth and survival are at stake now.

Hopefully, those involved in the cycle manufacturing industry will understand the real competition and danger before them, and act accordingly.

`Lock' or `freeze'

V. Chandrashekhar, Chennai.

`On a scale of 1 to 10' (Oct 30) was interesting. As the writer rightly says, comparisons are inevitable. So, here are my family's comparisons.

My daughter (a student of Class IX) has been hooked to KBC; both her Hindi and general knowledge have improved. My wife, an educated young housewife, loves to see Amitabh Bachchan more than the show and all her friends rave about the Big B.

And I, a marketing professional, have been calculating just how much money Star Plus and Amitabh are making per episode. First I found KBC naive, then entertaining and now, for want of anything better to watch, am resigned to it. My college-going son gave up watching cricket, courtesy match-fixing, to watch KBC instead. But after Sonali Bendre and Aamir Khan won Rs 25 lakh and Rs 50 lakh respectively, my son is convinced that KBC is also `fixed'. He and his friends don't watch the programme a nymore.

Sawal Das Crore Ka began with a bang and, in our house, died with a whimper. The only person watching is me, doing a SWOT analysis and FAB (features and benefit analysis) of both shows. Sawal Das Crore Ka is no match for KBC. It is complicated, unappea ling and the comperes, Anupam Kher and Manisha Koirala, are no match for Big B and his baritone voice.

Soul-searching

G. Chandrasekar, Madurai.

The article, `Body, mind and, now, soul' (Oct 23), made me thoughtful. It is indeed heartening to learn that emotional skills, which were hitherto not even considered skills, are being given their due importance. In today's competitive env ironment, it is next to impossible to succeed with merely academic skills. In fact, a number of successful people in various fields are often school-dropouts with excellent `people skills'.

An obstacle `course'

T.V. Jayaprakash, Palakkad

The article, `The long road to success' (Oct 30), mentions that most people want to overcome their present situation of low finances, marital difficulties and feelings of inferiority to attain money, fame and success.

Active people with positive goals are open to new ideas, quick to try new things, keen to focus on progress and move forward.

Success should be measured not so much by the position one has reached in life as by the obstacles overcome while getting there.

Food for thought

Dr. H.D. Chandrappa Gowda, Shimoga.

`What's eating you?' (Nov 6) was a thought-provoking article. The ancient practice of using ghee in India has, of late, attracted controversy.

Modern medical sciences state that ghee and other dairy products increase blood cholesterol levels, leading to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and so on. But Ayurveda says ghee is beneficial for health; in fact, ghee is often used to administer ayurvedic medicines. Ghee is also believed to act as a lubricant for blood vessels and delay the aging process (Ayurveda Unravelled by Dr Sharadini Dhanukar and Dr Urmila Thatte).

The recent findings of the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), extolling the virtues of ghee, has us confused even more.

Perhaps institutions such as the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Central Drug Research Institute should undertake comprehensive studies on the pros and cons of several ancient Indian practices.