• The D-Day celebrations by the World War II allies, along with Germany, is probably a good lesson for countries like India and Pakistan. Germany is arguably the best example that we have of a country that has not only come to terms with its past history, but has also become a useful contributor to the present world affairs. The presence of the Germany’s Chancellor Schroeder at the D-Day celebrations, clearly shows that Germans are prepared to accept their past and, more importantly, that the other nations, are ready to embrace the “new” Germany. Countries like India and Pakistan have many lessons to learn from this event. Maybe we could make a beginning by celebrating our independence days together, and not by a display of our military prowess. — Anand G. Mumbai Bring in the CBI • It is high time that a CBI enquiry is conducted into Padamsinh Patil’s financial affairs (IE, June 7). Reading your report leaves one with the impression that there is more dirt sticking to this gentleman’s fingers. Was he not mentioned as having taken Rs 153 crore from the cooperative bank scandal and still no effort has been made for its recovery? Furthermore Gopinath Munde inquired about the progress of the Irrigation projects and till date no progress report has been tabled. Where is the money allotted? This gentleman is pushing the blame on his subordinates. Is Patil slumbering and making the public believe that he is absolutely innocent? — Ramesh Lahoti On e-mail Another India • J.L. Gupta's ‘Awash in Austerity’ (IE, June 5) brought a rare pleasure to many readers, especially to me and my husband. To many of our compatriots it might have appeared to be a piece of romantic nostalgia in our age of conspicuous consumption and unabashed consumerism. To some of us, however, it does appear that we, the people of India have been swept off our feet into the abyss of unbridled materialism and he brings us the sense of India. Unfortunately, austerity and frugality are now consigned irretrievably to the oblivion. There is an obvious loss of innocence, austerity and simplicity of heart in our nation’s life as also a corresponding loss of honesty and integrity. We no longer esteem individuals for their knowledge, character and contribution to the intellectual, social and cultural life of the nation. India and Indians often appear to have finally joined the rat race, not so much in enhanced knowledge, self-realisation and social orientation as in the enthusiastic abandonment of basic values of life. Of course standards of life and comfort have changed and must change at all levels but that need not happen at the cost of basic integrity, simplicity and sincerity of the human heart and in human relations. — Kamla Singhvi New Delhi Desi Don Quixotes • Your story about the windmills being the reason for drought in the area is quite interesting (IE, June 5). It appears that Don Quixotes are not limited to Spain only. The threat to destroy the windmills and government officials getting ready to fly overseas to “study” the problem describes the two of the main reasons that we are still a third world country and may remain so for quite some time to come. — Niranjan Solanki On e-mail
