Date:07/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/07/stories/2006020702821001.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Towards modernisation

This refers to the editorial "Towards smoother modernisation" (Feb. 6). To design and build world-class terminals and facilities, a sea change would have to come about in the mindset of the employees of the Airports Authority of India. They need to shed the complacency guaranteed by their organised trade unions.

V. Krishnan,
Chennai

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As privatisation is crucial to enhance India's image, the Government could not afford to surrender in the face of unnecessary protests by trade unions. We have to be more realistic in assessing our needs.

Deepak Kumar,
Begusarai, Bihar

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That people would have no sympathy for the striking employees was expected. The Government deserves praise for handling the situation without compromising on the action already taken to modernise the Mumbai and New Delhi airports.
K. Sivaraman,
Chennai

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The AAI employees have withdrawn their strike but not before causing enormous inconvenience to passengers. The Government all along assured them that their interests would be protected. Why the unions went on a strike and withdrew it is a mystery. It has been proved yet again that a section of employees can drive the country to chaos and destabilise work.

G. Ramachandran,
Kuzhithurai, T.N.

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It has become a fashion for unions to go on strike every time the word privatisation is uttered. For the economy to progress, their attitude needs to change. It is unethical and unfair to place hurdles to progress because some employees feel insecure about their ability to perform!

Mansi Gupta,
New Delhi

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The widespread feeling that privatisation is synonymous with modernisation and efficiency is misplaced. When Mumbai was in a deluge a few months ago, power failure occurred as expected. While the Maharashtra State Electricity Board restored supply in a day, private players took a week to do so. During the heavy fog in Delhi recently, most of the private airlines cancelled their flights, while Indian flew as scheduled. In the U.S., for major corporations — all private — to either go out of business or downsize is routine.

V.V. Raman,
Virginia