Recent bird flu cases in West Bengal are a grim reminder of the dangers the Indian poultry industry is exposed to. Unless they are addressed, there would be more such cases. The lack of hygiene in the system for nurturing birds is the root cause of bird flu. Farmers should be well-equipped so as to nurture birds in hygienic conditions. Or else, the government should directly place the entire poultry sector under strict vigilance.

P Senthil Saravana Durai, Hyderabad

Bickering ratnas

Here in India, we have a population of more than a billion people. It is said that the country adds on a number equal to the entire population of Australia each year (a passing thought: with such a massive increase, why do we still struggle to beat Australia in cricket). Yet, its dismaying that not a single Bharat Ratna has been awarded in the past seven years. Is it that all Indians are so dull that nobody deserves selection for the award There should be thousands of potential Bharat Ratnas in India. But bickering politicial ratnas cannot see beyond themselves.

VS Venkatavaradan, Salem

Jalebi and rabri

In the US primary polls (Stimulus humdrum, Jan 25), the Democratic partys jalebi effect, with rings within rings, could now become the rabri effect, with Hillarys hubby Bill Clinton getting nervous about the vote-one-get-one-free offer.

Preeti Singh, Jaipur