This is with reference to ‘Over 90% startups in India fail within 5 years: IBM study’ (May 18). The ambitious ‘Start-Up India’ scheme will work wonders if the Government gives only the required support such as capital and good infrastructure. There is no dearth of talent and ideas but there’s too much government interference. India should learn from Silicon Valley and the US government. There, risk-taking is encouraged and entrepreneurs are heroes. The US government has practically no role in the functioning of Silicon Valley. It funds basic research and provides education and infrastructure. Surely, we can draw lessons from them.

Those who set up businesses in rural, tribal and backward areas should be given more concessions which will benefit the local folk. Importantly, they will provide jobs to the local population.Farmers who depend entirely on the monsoon for their income can find alternative employment.

Veena Shenoy

Thane, Maharashtra

Missed opportunities

The Indian economy is passing through a challenging phase. The Government is encouraging startups, undertaking tax reforms, easing cross-border trade, addressing issues related to stressed assets, etc. But they haven’t done their home work. When they set a target of creating more than 250 million jobs over the next decade for which credit support is key, banking sector reforms should have taken priority. Now though banks are flush with funds they are unable to lend due to capital constraints. Banks are unable to set their balance sheets in order.

The informal sector which is the prime area when it comes to employment generation is struggling to take off for want of bank loans. Highly rated corporates who are denied bank credit are taking the bonds route. Even falling interest rates have not made a significant impact to fuel credit growth. It is a case of missed opportunities.

Srinivasan Velamur

Chennai

Reform school education

This refers to the decision of the Tamil Nadu government to hold board exams for Class 11 from the coming academic year. Reforms in school education should start with a relevant curriculum, the appointment of good and dedicated teachers, improvement in infrastructureand evaluation pattern. The government, however, is starting from the last. These exams means students have to do public exams three years running. This will only exacerbate stress among students. Education should be learner-centric, with the focus shifting from rote learning to conceptual learning and communication skills.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Ranipet, Tamil Nadu

This refers to ‘Will Nawaz wilt under pressure?’ by G Parthasarathy (May 18). Corruption charges against Nawaz Sharif will not let him sleep peacefully, as they will directly impact his party’s election prospect. I agree that with the support of China and Russia, Pakistan’s morale has risen it is likely to escalate its support for the Taliban and continue its misadventure in Kashmir. However, we need to keep the pressure on and raise our concern at every international forum.

Bal Govind

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Don’t spare scamsters

Pickpockets, robbers, dacoits, non-taxpaying citizens and even businessmen do not have the luxury of protesting with the help of violent supporters as Lalu Prasad did recently aginst lawful punitive actions initiated against him. Do you mean to say politicians are a special category so that they can loot and cheat the nation and go scot free? Is it a sin to take action against the misdeeds of powerful politicians? Do these people think they are above law and can escape from their alleged misappropriation of funds and illegitimately cornered landed properties by playing the political card?

This trend should be vehemently opposed. The media can play constructive role by supporting the legitimate actions of government agencies against scamsters. No corrupt public figure or politicianshould be allowed to get away; nor should they be allowed to politicise the issue.

VS Ganeshan

Bengaluru

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