Unfair accusation

I refer to Meghnad Desai8217;s column entitled 8216;Kashmir8217;s best friend?'

8226; I refer to Meghnad Desai8217;s column entitled 8216;Kashmir8217;s best friend?8217;. Apart from other points, I must strongly protest at his description of my father8217;s accession as 8220;some mad-cap maharaja8217;s whim8221;. This is grossly unfair to my father, who faced an extremely difficult situation and ultimately acceded to India when the state was being overrun by tribals from Pakistan along with Pakistani officers in mufti. The decision was not whimsical, nor by any stretch of the imagination could Maharaja Hari Singh be called 8220;a mad-cap8221;. The use of this derogatory terminology will have outraged a large number of your readers.

8212; Dr Karan Singh Rajya Sabha, MP

New Delhi

Learning democracy

8226; Nawaz Sharif8217;s departure from the coalition will institutionalise Pakistan8217;s policy chaos. The constant negotiations over ministerial posts had already lowered the government8217;s credibility. Pakistan needs to learn the art of coalition politics because Asif Ali Zardari is widely expected to win the presidential poll.

However, if Pakistan wants democracy, it must allow a credible opposition to emerge.

8212; Pratibhanbsp;Nagdeo Pune

Headed for disaster

8226; Pakistan is heading towards a prolonged period of political instability. The gulf between Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari will provide an excuse for the omnipotent army and ISI to move to the centrestage and manipulate the levers of power and authority. A political solution therefore may never emerge. Musharraf must be extremely pleased at this development.

8212; R.J. Khurana

Bhopal

Figures of speech

8226; This refers to the editorial 8216;Amar Medha Singh8217;. Leaders like Amar Singh are opportunistic and self-serving. It is the duty of every Indian citizen to see through the games of these politicians, and to support only those movements which are meant for the good of the country and public at large. We should never allow ourselves to be misguided and exploited by our politicians.

8212; Satwant Kaur

Mahilpur, Punjab

Right where it belongs

8226; This refers to 8216;Bengal red flags8230;8217;. With only 200 acres of land, adjacent to the existing Tata Motors factory in Uttarakhand, the Nano could have rolled out 8212; without any disturbance, on schedule, and at minimum cost. Then why did the Tatas opt for Singur? In the near future, taxes and duties will come down throughout the country. It is then that such a plant in Uttarakhand will face the challenge of high transportation costs and other logistical problems. Uttarakhand is suitable for tourism, medicinal industries, educational institutes, sanatoriums, hydel plants, etc. Engineering plants will invite disaster for the state. The government should consider all these aspects before giving incentives to industry.

8212; Hara Lal Chakraborty

Kolkata

Letter of the Week Award

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