Letters to the editor

Frank, good Talk • THIS refers to the second and final part of Shekhar Gupta’s ‘Walk the Talk’ interview with former Pak...

Frank, good Talk

• THIS refers to the second and final part of Shekhar Gupta’s ‘Walk the Talk’ interview with former Pakistan prime minister, Nawaz Sharif (IE, June 18). I found the second part more interesting, informative and eye-opening, because Nawaz Sharif was also more candid in his responses to Gupta’s questions. Most of all, he did not pull his punches when referring to General Pervez Musharraf. He said quite frankly that Musharraf was “most unreliable”, who cannot claim legitimacy, having deposed a legally and constituently elected prime minister and government. Gupta put to him a whole plethora of questions — on topics ranging from the Kargil War to his life under detention. But what I found commendable was Sharif’s courage in appreciating India’s judiciary, democracy and parliament. Full marks to Shekhar Gupta for fielding those questions about Pakistan today.

— Ahmad Rais Siddiqi, New Delhi

Democracy on way?

• THE Indo-Pak dispute is unlikely to be settled in the foreseeable future just because, according to Nawaz Sharif (‘Walk the Talk’, IE, June 18), there is no hurry as democracy is on its way to Pakistan and then India and Pakistan can talk and settle the matter! Of course, the poor man is day-dreaming. He needs to read Fareed Zakaria’s ‘Army with a state’ (IE, June 20). If there is a regime change in favour of democracy in Pakistan, American foreign policy goals will be in jeopardy. And the great dissenter-intellectual of Pakistan, now safely parked in Boston, Husain Haqqani tells us that Pakistan’s army is a great source of “stability”.

— M.K.D. Prasada Rao, Ghaziabad

Pliant president

• SHOBHAA DE has made a strong, irrefutable case against Pratibha Patil’s candidature, in her article, ‘It is not about her’ (IE, June 20). Understandably, Congress spokespersons have tried to wrap this last minute choice — the fifth or the sixth in line — after its Leftist allies rejected the earlier suggestions, with the insincere rhetoric about women’s empowerment. But, as De rightly argues, “this stifling… gender symbolism” cannot hide the ugly fact that Pratibha Patil has been “pulled out of her mothballed existence and shoved into the spotlight for one reason alone — she is… most accommodating and pliant…” Sadly, history seems to be repeating itself. This is not the first time the ruling Congress played such “a monumental joke” on the people of India on the issue of presidency. How can one forget the installation of inconsequential men like Zail Singh and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed?

— M. Ratan, New Delhi

Premji said that Wipro would partner with the Government "to find a lasting solution for Bengaluru's mobility challenges".

Wipro rejects Karnataka Govt request to allow public vehicles inside Sarjapur campus

Cities8 hr ago

Wipro, a leading company in Bengaluru, has refused to allow public vehicles inside its Sarjapur campus to ease traffic congestion. However, they have agreed to finance a study to find a solution for the traffic problem. The founder, Azim Premji, believes that the issue is complex and requires expert analysis. Wipro has also committed to funding a significant portion of the study's cost.

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