Stock index pricing

Stock index pricing
For the past few weeks, analysts tracking the Indian stock markets have been trying to make sense of the crash by citing usual reasons like inflation, Egypt crisis, high interest rates, current account deficit and so on. The fact remains that, similar concerns existed even when stock markets were climbing higher (due to Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) pouring money). At that time, analysts were busy estimating Sensex targets like 23000 and 25000. Retail investors would do well to remember that the Indian economy, by its sheer size, even after taking into account the occasional blips, would continue to do well for many years to come and the current correction provides an excellent opportunity to buy shares of fundamentally strong companies at an attractive price.
—Ketan R Meher, Thane

Bat first to win
Quite often India loses cricket matches, when in spite of winning the toss, it opts to field. I feel by batting first, India has more chances of winning, especially where the pitch favours spinners. It is also a psychological advantage, especially in one-dayers and T20. Batting first has more chances to win.
—Mahesh Kapasi, via email

Indo-Pak relations
The action and behaviour of Pakistan national, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, should not surprise us ('Rahat walks free', February 15). Pakistanis consider India a soft country. Many artists from Pakistan come to India to mint money. They do not seem to care about our laws nor have any fear of punishment. We welcome Pakistani artists with open arms but the question arises whether Pakistan also reciprocates our gestures. On the contrary, our artists and several prominent people have been denied visa in Pakistan.
—SP Sharma, Mumbai

User-friendly flats
This is with reference to 'Mhada flats may go out of reach', (February 16). If the government wants to make flats affordable for the masses, then all departments like income-tax, registering authority, municipal corporation, banks and financial institutions have to work in tandem. It is a known fact that flat owners in new buildings have to pay more property tax to the BMC. People living in posh areas like Malabar Hill, Peddar Road, Nepean Sea Road pay less property tax than people living in suburbs like Borivli, and Kandivli. Suburbanites  end up subsidising the property tax of the rich people living in these posh localities. In many cases people own the flats but they find it difficult to pay monthly maintenance. Similarly, the income-tax limit of Rs30 lakh under the annual information return requirement has to be raised to make it user friendly.
—Deendayal M Lulla, Mumbai

Rules of change
There is no need for the media to go euphoric over the winds of "change" reportedly blowing in an Islamic country like Egypt. Political pundits are expecting a smooth transition from the autocratic regime to a "democratic" system of governance. Their hopes may soon be belied as similar upheavals in other Muslim nations like Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan have proved that none of the 60-odd Islamic countries can ever be run on non-theocratic lines, but only on the basis of the rules laid down in Sharia and commandeered by a religious bigot.
—Arun Malankar, via email

Do your duty, PM
It's high time our prime minister upgrades the standards of democracy. Criminals and their protectors are equally responsible for the crimes taking place in India. The PM is the apex functional chair for the country. He should take the necessary corrective measures to counter inflation. He should act strongly against the irregularities in Indian administration. I am of the strong opinion that he knows the measures but is failing to implement them because of the two centres of control of Indian government.
—Dnyaneshwar Shivajirao, Mumbai

Helping others
This is with reference to 'Companion for sunset years' (February 16). Hats off to Kumar Deshpande who founded the Kumar Deshpande Foundation with the sole purpose of helping those elderly singles who are seeking a suitable companion. What is most noteworthy is that Deshpande provides all these facilities such as counselling and legal aid free of charge. Wish him all the best in his philanthropy.
—PL Thomas, Mumbai