Mint (23 October 2008)

If a ban on short selling is sought during a bear market, then, by the same logic, why doesn’t anyone demand a ban on buying during a bull market, especially since many stocks (realty, power sector, etc.) were trading at obscene valuations? (Why short sales ban won’t work, Our View, Mint, October 21). The truth is that severe correction in valuation was imminent as many stocks, especially of mid-cap & small-cap firms, had gone up merely on speculation by operators & cooked-up stories about prospects.

Ketan R. Meher

The Asian Age Columnist’s reply

The Asian Age (21 September 2008)

Novels based on history

Dear Sir,

There are good novels in Marathi, which are based on history & written with extensive research like Panipat & Mahanayak (the latter based on the life of Subhash Chandra Bose) by Vishwas Patil, Chaavaa (based on Sambhaji) by Shivaji Sawant, Chhatrapati Shivaji by Babasaheb Purandare, etc. (Magnificent History, Book Worm – Sunil K. Poolani, The Asian Age, September
21). These novels are bestsellers in Marathi & renowned publishers in English (as they are financially more equipped), should take initiative to translate these works into English (alongwith a proper marketing strategy), so that, it will reach a far wider audience & in the process, doing justice to these great works.

Ketan R. Meher

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The Asian Age Columnist Sunil K. Poolani’s reply is as follows:-

Dear Ketan,

Thanks for the mail and I do agree with what you say. But you know the publishing scene in India, forget translations, even quality English books by Kiran Nagarkar are not published by Indian publishers. Sad, but true. Be in touch.

Thanks,
Sunil K Poolani
Executive Director & Publisher
Frog Books

Worship or business

Mint Lounge (6 September 2008)

Worship or business

I agree entirely with the views expressed in ‘Ganesh goes live’ (Mumbai Multiplex – Priyanka P. Narain, Lounge, August 30). Due to the marketing strategies of trustees, even seconds (leave aside minutes) of peaceful darshan have become impossible for the common man in temples such as the Siddhivinayak.

Ketan R. Meher

The Asian Age Columnist’s reply

The Asian Age (25 August 2008)

Dear Sir,

Most of the students dread mathematics because of unfriendly & unimaginative textbooks, as well as, equally uninspiring teachers in schools (Of raw life, math and show-off, Book Worm, The Asian Age, August 24). Many times, mathematics teachers, due to their strictness, are the most unpopular among students. It is high time that, right from primary levels, mathematics syllabus is designed & taught in a way (a la, Shakuntala Devi) which will attract students towards it & make them feel at home.

Ketan R. Meher

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The Asian Age Columnist Sunil K. Poolani’s reply is as follows:-

Dear Ketan,

Thanks a lot for your mail. Appreciate your concern. Well, please be in touch. And also try to send your mail as a Letter to the Editor

Best,
Sunil K Poolani
Executive Director & Publisher
Frog Books

Mint Lounge Columnist's reply

Mint Lounge (31 July 2008)

Dear Sir,

While recent special issues on Olympics & Batman are a delight for their respective fans, please make sure that regular columns aren't sacrificed in the process. I think, you can easily accommodate regular columns by adding more pages to your special issues.

Ketan R. Meher

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Mint Lounge Columnist Seema Chowdhry's reply is as follows:-

Dear Mr Meher

Thank you for your feedback and we are happy that you take time out to write to us. I am writing to you on behalf of Lounge with reference to your letter. I am keen to understand which are the regular sections you have been missing in Lounge. In the Batman issue, we carried all the regular columns and also carried The Good Life and Pursuits in both issues. In the Olympics, since it was a special theme issue, we changed the sections around... but it is good know that our regular pages (and special issues) are appreciated.

Thank you for writing in

Seema Chowdhry

Smoking ban is unenforceable

The Asian Age (19 July 2008)

Smoking ban is unenforceable

I doubt if a complete ban on smoking in public places like malls, cinema halls, etc. can be implemented effectively (Take it outside!, The Mumbai Age, July 18). The government’s earlier decision to ban plastic bags & spitting in public places met with hardly any success. Just like those previous initiatives, after some initial euphoria, this ban too, would be forgotten in a matter of few days.

Ketan R. Meher

The big picture

Mint Lounge (12 July 2008)

The big picture

The cover story about cool jobs (I still want your job, Lounge, July 05) was very interesting. It is good to see people making careers in fields they are passionate about. All jobs require a lot of hard work, but a job becomes enjoyable when you are passionate about it. The story devoted precious space to large photographs, which was disappointing. You should have given more information about these people & their jobs.

Ketan R. Meher

In Disney’s defence

Mint Lounge (21 June 2008)

In Disney’s defence

I disagree with what Sonya Dutta Choudhury has to say with regard to Disney (‘Why Mickey Mouse makes me mad’ June 14). All Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Aladdin & Snow White have been great entertainers. Generations have grown up enjoying Disney comics & cartoons. The writer is being unfair with her objections regarding Disney because of the “spider & fly” anecdote. This analogy can also be applicable to the Harry Potter series, where hype played an important role in making the books so popular. Even die-hard fans will admit to a feeling of déjà vu in the later instalments of Harry Potter.

Ketan R. Meher

Obsessed with foreign praise

The Asian Age (16 June 2008)

Obsessed with foreign praise

Indians are unnecessarily obsessed with what foreigners think about India (How not to pick a story from Net litter, Of Cabbages & Kings – Farrukh Dhondy, June 14). Our countrymen are convinced of their talents only when praise comes from foreigners. Some years ago, Aamir Khan, one of the finest Indian actors (who avoids all Indian award ceremonies), went all out to lobby for his movie Lagaan at the Oscars. It was more important for Aamir Khan to receive a pat on the back from the Western viewers than applause from the Indian audience. That is the typical Indian mentality. However, if the country wants to progress, it will need to shed this attitude and take pride in its achievements.

Ketan R. Meher

Reader’s haven

Mint Lounge (14 June 2008)

Reader’s haven

Your cover story ‘Bookworm Paradise’ (Lounge, June 07) was interesting. During the past few years, Indian writers have written good novels. A list of such works would be useful for readers. It would be great if you could print extracts from recently released books (especially fiction). This would help readers decide whether to buy a book or not.

With reference to ‘Nutcase nations, bookcase gems’ (Lounge, June 07), I was introduced to reading at a very tender age. It is very difficult to remember the first book that I must have read, but, we (brothers, cousins & friends) were crazy about comics & I am quite sure that it was none other than my all-time favourite super hero Phantom. I recollect reading Enid Blyton’s “The Goblin Hat” from my school library, when I was in class V.

Ketan R. Meher

Pitch saves team

The Asian Age (11 March 2008)

Pitch saves team

It seems that the performance of the Indian cricket team depends solely on the pitch conditions (Proteas sink in Kanpur dust bowl, April 14). At times, one cannot help but conclude that, Indian cricketers are often at the mercy of external conditions & have limited skills to overcome unfavourable situations.

Ketan R. Meher

Win-win situation

The Economic Times (12 April 2008)

Win-win situation

This refers to your edit ‘Who is afraid of takeovers?’ (Edit, April 10). India does not have a history of hostile takeovers. Due to the correction in the stock markets, many companies, especially, medium & small ones are trading at attractive valuations. Because of this, cash rich financial institutions, & private investors will be tempted to target companies with good business models, having low promoter holding. This is a win-win situation for all as such moves will also benefit small & large investors in these companies, as well as, the promoters, who are willing to give up management control, in favour of an equally competent investor for a price.

Ketan R. Meher

Child woes

Mint Lounge (12 April 2008)

Child woes

Nowadays, securing nursery admission for your child is not child's play (Wanted: Exceptional Parents April 05). It is sad that when your child is supposed to enjoy his time, he is subjected to unnecessary pressures.

If this continues to be a part of our education system, then future generations are likely to turn into insensitive money-making robots.

Ketan R. Meher

Disappointed

The Economic Times (2 April 2008)

Disappointed

It is good to know that iGate Corporation is focused on accelerating its growth and to benefit all its stakeholders (‘IT industry needs new business models’ : Interview with Phaneesh Murthy, April 01). Shareholders of iGate Global Solutions, remained invested throughout the re-structuring, as they were confident of Mr. Murthy's capabilities. However, the investors
were somewhat disappointed, as iGate de-listed from stock exchanges in India at relatively cheap valuations, at a time, when it was clearly visible that the worst was over & there were better times ahead for iGate. That's why, Mr. Murthy's views regarding his intentions to benefit all its stakeholders seemed quite contradictory.

Ketan R. Meher

Load-shedding means daily Earth Hours

Mint (2 April 2008)

Load-shedding means daily Earth Hours

It is true that participation from India was negligible in Earth Hour, the global initiative regarding climate change (A candle in the dark, Quick Edit, April 1). However, in an altogether different way, Maharashtra (barring Mumbai) contributes to containing the consumption of electricity & thereby lessens the pollution burden. I refer to the load shedding that happens for more than 6 hours every day! There seems to be little by way of initiative to overcome this problem, despite Maharashtra being one of the most important states in India. Leading business houses seem to maintain a deafening silence in this matter.

Ketan R. Meher

Humility pays

The Economic Times (31 March 2008)

Humility pays

This refers to your edit, ‘Tatas in auto big league’ (ET, March 27). Congratulations to Ratan Tata & his team for being successful in acquiring iconic Ford brands, Jaguar & Land Rover. Though, the financial aspects of the deal will be a cause for concern, one can be certain that the Tatas have the expertise to turn around the brands. It requires a lot of strength to remain humble in such a glorious moment, when some of his business rivals go over the top with their achievements.

Ketan R. Meher

Market Crash

The Asian Age (11 March 2008)

Market Crash

Dear Sir,

The never ending market crash has sent most of the market participants running for cover (Poor market performance, Editorial, March 10). At such a time, when there’s all round pessimism, “smart” investors go cherry picking, rather than “waiting for sentiment to change” (read waiting for markets trading at all time highs) & getting trapped again. It is improper on your part to say that the earlier corrections did not last as long as this one. The editorial should have laid more emphasis on driving home the point that investing in stock markets should be for many months & not for a few days & weeks, which will not only burn small investors’ fingers but much more than that.

Ketan R. Meher

Mint Editor's reply

Mint

Dear Sir,

By far, Lounge is the best weekend reads among all newspapers. In the form of Shoba Narayan, M Venkatesh, Arjun Nair, R Sukumar, etc., you have the best writers in your arsenal. The only missing element in this otherwise perfect menu is the lack of space for reader’s feedback. I request you to regularly devote some space (maybe half a page) for reader’s letters. It is quite often seen that readers are equally intelligent as your writers & have very insightful views. I hope it is not too much of an expectation, to share other reader’s views with us.

A suggestion to Mr. R. Sukumar – Please feature an article on my favourite Indrajal Comic Heroes like Phantom, Mandrake, Bahadur, Rip Kirby, etc.

Ketan R. Meher

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The editor’s reply is as follows:-

Dear Mr Meher,

Thank you for your email. We really appreciate you taking the time to write to us. You also make a valid point on letters. But, you might be surprised to know there are not many letters that come in that appeal to a broader audience of Lounge readers. Often they are questions or aimed at specific writers. But your larger point is well taken.

With regards,
Raju Narisetti
Managing Editor
Mint

Sachin should retire

The Asian Age (1 March 2008)

Sachin should retire

With reference to the news report 'Mumbaikars feel Tendulkar is still the ‘Master Blaster’ (February 29), though the career graph of Sachin Tendulkar has been quite impressive, his recent performances clearly show that, age is catching up with him. He should emulate Sunil Gavaskar, who retired from international cricket when he was in his best form, rather than Kapil Dev, whose retirement was a bit long drawn, as he somewhat struggled to overhaul Sir Richard Hadlee’s highest Test wicket record. It is better to retire when people question “Why” instead of “When”.

Ketan R. Meher

Give children books

The Asian Age (26 February 2008)

Give children books

The article ‘The Write Stuff’ (The Age on Sunday, February 24) was very interesting. It is good to see that book sales are going up in this age of electronic media. To keep the habit of reading books alive, parents should make sure that their children have regular access to books, which are relevant to them. Instead of gifting them expensive toys & fancy gadgets, parents should buy them good books.

Ketan R. Meher

Past Perfect

Mint Lounge (14 July 2007)

Past Perfect

The column immediately took me on a nostalgia trip. During the 1980s, stamp collection was a hobby that was pursued passionately. Exchanging stamps among friends was very common. On a boring day when there was nothing to do, one could easily pass the time browsing through a stamp collection. But, with the advent of email and courier companies, sending letters by post has seen a consistent decline. The new generation can hardly connect with stamp collection as a hobby. In fact, it would be interesting to do a survey among teenagers & youngsters (aged below 25), to find out how many of them have ever sent a letter by post. As technology progresses, new & sophisticated means replace the old, & one has no option but to accept that change in order to keep pace with the world.

Ketan R. Meher

Stock Question

The Asian Age (26 February 2006)

Stock Question

Dear Sir,

With the stock markets touching new heights, hence forth, one will have to be very careful while picking stocks for the purpose of investment. Inspite of Sensex touching 12000, there have been some stocks which have largely under performed. Though the financial performance of these companies has remained mostly sluggish, they have good management teams at their helm. So it would be useful for investors if your newspaper could publish detailed articles about such companies & whether these companies would be able to turn their businesses around, thus giving good returns to the investors.

Ketan R. Meher