This is with reference to ‘Seizing the high tide moment’ by Thillai Rajan A (Emerging Entrepreneurs, January 23). The startup road is still bumpy and circuitous. The policy framework is intransigent and compartmentalised.

Even the age-old single-window concept is not adopted and the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship operates as an island, focussing only on targets without meaningful translation of business notions into fructified entities. There is lack of integration between the Centre and States, nor are financial feasibility and technical mentorship convergent to each other.

It is lamentable that SEBI’s discussion papers have not come to grips with issues facing startups, nor have they facilitated protective guidelines for the promotion of free flow of money for the ventures. Identification of eventual business prospects, motivated assistance, reinforced consultancy coordination for progress, and simplified procedures are the missing elements in the startup ecosystem.

B Rajasekaran

Bengaluru

Real growth

The IMF has forecast that the Indian economy would grow up by 7.4 per cent in 2018 and 7.8 per cent in 2019. The growth of the economy should not be seen or spoken of in absolute or nominal terms.

What impact will growth have on improving the human capital? Can the economy raise the literacy rates in two years? Will healthcare for the poor improve in real terms? People can feel only real growth; figures cannot satisfy them.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Chennai

Self-inflicted misery

With reference to the editorial, ‘Feet of clay?’ (January 23), the crisis in AAP is the product of the overambition of its founder consumed by his own success. Arvind Kejriwal saw himself as a national figure too quickly, spent more time criticising the BJP-led government on almost every issue, is at loggerheads with the Lt Governor and has alienated good leaders due to his highly centralised style of leadership. If he had followed a constructive approach, turned New Delhi into a model state of governance and led the kind of life he promised to the electorate, he might have emerged as a challenger to Modi. Now he is mired in court cases and internal dissent. His misery is not his alone; India too has lost a much needed alternative. He has to transform himself first.

YG Chouksey

Pune

In this tale retold, we have Cinderella the CM of Delhi, with many stepsisters and a stern stepmother. She was expected to keep the house spic and span and blamed for the smallest lapse. In a rare moment of altruism ,she was taken to the quinquennial ball held in the public plaza. The Prince of Delhi was smitten with her and crowned her with unprecedented generosity. The jilted stepsisters saw to it that she was hence forward constantly kept hobbled. Her meagre pocket money — office-of -profit — was appropriated. Will the Prince re-anoint Cinderella in time for the next ball?

R Narayanan

Navi Mumbai

Unite for secularism

The decision of the central committee of the CPI(M) not to have an electoral understanding or alliance with the Congress is a blow to the call for opposition unity at the national level to defeat the BJP. While the general secretary, Sitaram Yechury, favoured a electoral understanding , his predecessor Prakash Karat opposed it. As things stands now, the party congress, proposed to be held soon, will take a final call.

While both want to defeat the BJP, they differ on electoral tactics to accomplish the objective. The CPI(M) may not be a prominent national player now, but its commitment to secular democracy and securing a dignified life for the downtrodden and other underprivileged sections of the society is indisputable and far greater than that of other parties in the political spectrum. It is time the CPI( M) adopted pragmatic approach and ensured that fascist forces are stopped in their tracks by fighting alongside other secular and democratic forces in the country.

M Jeyaram

Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send your letters by email to bleditor@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859-860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.