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This refers to ‘We need smaller, dispersed cities’ (October 31). With economic growth happening in all sectors and industries flourishing, migration of people to major and metro cities from rural and semi-urban areas in search employment or business opportunities is inevitable and unavoidable. However, this leads to over utilisation of a city’s infrastructure resulting in choking of the facilities. Construction of bridges, flyovers, underpasses and subways are only short-term solutions. Decentralising labour-intensive industries, manufacturing hubs and the remote service providing centres to Tier II and Tier III need to be worked out. This must precede improving basic amenities like adequate drinking water, drainage and robust traffic systems in coherence with the likely demand the cities would attract. GS Santharam Attracting talent in PSBs Apropos ‘Private talent for PSBs’ (October 31), there is no doubt over the good intentions of the government in broadening the norms to attract private sector talent into senior level roles in PSBs. But one needs to understand that even private sector banks fail and there is a huge gulf between the work culture of private banks and PSBs. In private banks only meritocracy and good performance are rewarded and decision making is not stuck due to bureaucratic hierarchies. There is no motivation for PSBs to accept outsiders wholeheartedly unless and until there is a drastic change in the attitude and approach of PSBs. Ending extreme poverty Kerala scripts a glorious chapter in the economic landscape of India by becoming the first State to eradicate extreme poverty. It really deserves praise for its relentless efforts to achieve it. One hopes that it would keep the momentum going and create a lot of jobs for the people in general and youth in particular on a sustained basis. After all, productive employment is the best indicator of growth. Other States and Union Territories should take a leaf out of Kerala’s book. S Ramakrishnasayee Published on October 31, 2025
