This refers to the article “The power of women in the workforce” (March 10). Undoubtedly active participation of Indian women in the workforce is increasing both in numbers and diversity and covering many jobs considered earlier the preserve of men.
Progress could be made faster with the additional measures adopted by the government, as suggested in the article. But patriarchal attitudes towards women must change.
All in all, much has been achieved to raise the status of women, but much more needs to be done.
YG Chouksey
Pune
Crypto regulation
By signing an executive order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and US Digital Asset Stockpile while hosting a crypto summit at the White House, US President Donald Trump has taken a significant step towards fulfilling his electoral promise of making the US ‘crypto capital of the planet.’.
However, challenges remain. As per the executive order, the reserve will be capitalised with bitcoin possessed by the Treasury Department, “forfeited as part of criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceedings.”
The executive order says that bitcoin deposited will not be sold, which signals a major change in how the US views cryptocurrencies. With more countries ushering in regulatory frameworks, the US could hardly afford to have a regulatory stance that is an outlier.
The world needs regulatory clarity and coherence and the institutional mechanisms that safeguard the interests of investors and ensure the integrity of markets.
M Jeyaram
Sholavandan (TN)
Trump disruption
The article, ‘Of Trump …’ (March 10) presents valid arguments. It is true the Dollar dominating system has outlived its purpose and countries need a system where no one currency or nation dominates.
The article mentions the quote that says democracy is about what the majority likes and not what the minority needs. But sometimes it is the interests of the minority rich that are favoured over that of the poor.
AG Rajmohan
Anantapur
SEBI’s responsibility
Apropos the Editorial ‘Too specialised’ (March 10), indeed the unconventional paradigm shift in SEBI’s function beyond monitoring the capital market by innovating and designing new financial products is laudable.
In this regard SEBI’s innovative product, the Special Investment Plan was designed to cater the needs of small investors, and help them invest with protection from unregulated and unscruplous entities.
SEBI takes direct responsibility for the safety of small investors with Mutual Fund Benefit and diligent portfolio investment services. Now SEBI plays a major role both as an executor as well as a monitor and any slippage in this dual role will affect investors’ confidence.
The Unit Trust of India’s Rajalakshmi Mutual Fund Scheme’s failure, still stands as a discouraging factor to MF investment.
NR Nagarajan
Sivakasi