I write in reference to your article Indian elections 2019: schedule, polls, dates and everything you need to know about the vote (April 5). Your explainer on the upcoming Indian Lok Sabha elections was comprehensive. As you rightly noted, the Congress party has won 10 of the past 15 Indian elections. But despite spending so much time in power, Rahul Gandhi's party has been unable to solve India's biggest problems, including unemployment, low farmer wages and large-scale poverty. You cannot expect a miracle from Prime Minister Narendra Modi after just one term in office.
Nevertheless, Mr Modi’s administration has made progress in a variety of areas, including national security, reforming the banking system to make it easier to engage with digitally. Many experts feel that Mr Modi should be given one more chance to fulfill his weighty 2014 election promises. I happen to agree. Ultimately it is up to the Indian people to choose an administration that suits them. The ball is in the people’s court. I hope they choose wisely.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
In Nigeria, corruption is the main hindrance to growth
I refer to your article World Economic Forum Mena 2019: Jordan meeting offers major chance to shape future vision for entire region (April 6), specifically Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's comments about economic development.
In Nigeria, the main culprit is corruption at all levels of public life, and Mr Buhari knows that well enough. Nigeria, a rich land with plenty of natural resources, is suffering from the cancer of corruption. Even the army is not free of this. Mr Buhari will have to perform a major surgery to deal with this ailment.
Name withheld by request
In modern Libya and Iraq, Western bias is deeply felt
I write in reference to Raghida Dergham's opinion piece Libya's future is caught between diplomacy and a military solution (April 7). If Qaddafi was bad and ruled with an iron grip, then the present government is little better. The writer is absolutely correct – clear parallels can be drawn with Iraq. Developments in both countries reflect endemic western bias towards Muslim-ruled nations.
Name withheld by request
E-cigarettes are the lesser of two deadly evils
I write in reference to Nick Webster's article Big tobacco firms plan launch of vaping products in UAE (March 23).
Look out for upcoming research on e-cigarettes, commissioned by the Australian Health Minister, reportedly after “pressure” from colleagues.
Vaping is the lesser of two evils, when compared to cigarettes but I still refuse to believe that it is safe.
There is only one answer, in my view. It is time to actually stop smoking altogether.
Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne
