Support the PM

This refers to Shekhar Gupta8217;s article 8216;Their deal, her hand8217;. Sonia and her colleagues should stand behind Manmohan Singh on the nuclear deal...

8226;This refers to Shekhar Gupta8217;s article 8216;Their deal, her hand8217; . Sonia and her colleagues should stand behind Manmohan Singh on the nuclear deal, and honour him for his integrity and straightforwardness in matters of national interest. The finalisation of the deal has been hanging fire for quite some time, owing solely to the inability of some nominated politicians in the party to tackle the 8220;political menace8221; of the leftists, who have been making the entire UPA government dance to their tune.

As damage control, the Congress should go ahead with the deal unmindful of the Left8217;s threat, as India8217;s future is more important than ineffective political power for a few more months.

8212; S.K. Gupta

New Delhi

8226;I do not contradict Shekhar Gupta8217;s assessment of the prime minister, Manmohan Singh. Yet, I would still side with the PM for his characteristic of never using unconstitutional language or manner, and not making any personal attacks on his opponents, something that Indian politicians, across the board, indulge in.

8212; Ved Guliani

Hisar

So long, Sam

8226;It may not be a breach of protocol in official parlance, but the fact remains that a soldier8217;s last march went unsung 8216;No national mourning for Manekshaw8217;. Superlatives like 8220;the soldiers8217; soldier8221; do not mean much considering the 8220;respect8221; shown to a national hero at his hour of death. For a man born to excel, the achievements of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw need no special mention. The serving chiefs of the three wings should not be pardoned for not attending the funeral. And the president of India, in her capacity as the supreme commander of the armed forces, should have led the way.

8212; Pachu Menon

Margao

8226;It is shocking that the navy and air force chiefs did not think it fit to attend Sam Manekshaw8217;s funeral, and thereby give their last salute to a man of his calibre. The national flag was not flown at half mast either, and no politician of cabinet rank was present at the funeral.

8212; Roda D. Hakim

Baroda

Just do it

8226;This refers to the article by Inder Malhotra, 8216;Anatomy of indecision8217;. Coalition governments need not necessarily be ineffective; at least not to the extent we are experiencing currently. It depends on the type and purpose of the coalition. If the coalition partners are like-minded, and have similar goals in mind goals beyond just keeping someone else out of government, they can be effective. Not as quick and firm as a single party government, perhaps, but effective all the same.

8212; Siddhartha Mukherji

Pune