Letter to BS: Why Walmart-Flipkart deal is admission of defeat in India

This is with reference to “Why Walmart's Flipkart acquisition is its admission of defeat in India” (May 10). I agree with what the author Mihir Sharma has written about the Walmart-Flipkart deal — it is the second-best solution for Walmart. This solution is neither helpful to farmers who could have gotten an access to the modern supply chain like the multi-brand retail trade of Walmart, nor is it helpful to consumers who could get high-quality farm fresh produce.

India is falling behind on all fronts. The potential of biogas in India is 29-48 billion m3/year, while the actual utilisation is 2 billion m3/year. As the energy prices are going to rise, biogas could provide a healthy alternative. India has refused to accept GM crops, even its own indigenously developed GM mustard. GM crops can raise agriculture productivity by using less chemical inputs and avoiding the pollution of soil and water. With its massive cattle population, India is not helping the meat sector by banning cow slaughter. The country has also fallen behind on girls' education. This year is the 200th birth anniversary of Karl Marx that was celebrated by some activists who will call for a revolutionary change if the present-day politicians from the Congress to Bharatiya Janta Party do not wake up and do something forward looking for India

Chandrashekhar G Ranade Washington DC

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