All talk
The exchange between PM Manmohan Singh and leader of the opposition Sushma Swaraj amounted to the pot calling the kettle black (PM hits back: UPA growth rate better,IE,March 7). Both the ruling and the opposition parties have been oblivious to the plight of the common man. The PM presented figures to prove the better economic performance of the UPA government,but such claims do not cut any ice with the common man. To him,the reality is that the cost of living has gone up steadily. Corruption has affected the countrys poorer sections the most. The PM should own up to such glaring failures of governance. The ruling and opposition parties may argue and fling couplets at each other but that does not always impress the suffering masses. Good governance will.
Zulfikhar Akram,Bangalore
Maldivian mystery
THIS refers to the report Nasheed freed a day after arrest,trial put off for 4 weeks (IE,March 7). The release of the former Maldives president,Mohamed Nasheed,is a window of opportunity for democracy in that country. India was right to give refuge to Nasheed. Moreover,one cannot ignore the Chinese shadow over Maldives. Meanwhile,the Maldives judiciary should not go the Pakistan way. Nasheed should be allowed to contest elections.
Deendayal M. Lulla
Gurgaon
The leviathan
APROPOS the editorial The polariser ( IE,March 7),Hugo Chavez was instrumental in making Venezuela prominent in the world stage. In a way,he was the voice of Latin America,and of his country,in particular. He dared to think differently and took on the United States. Of course,large crude oil reserves might have given him room for maneouvre. Chavezs fight against economic inequality and his effort to provide better health and education for his people were noteworthy. Although Chavez was often accused of being authoritarian,Venezuelans will remember him as a charismatic revolutionary who resolutely fought for them till the end.
Ganapathi Bhat
Akola
Defence of Dhaka
THE editorial,In good times and bad (IE,March 5) rightly argues that India must engage with all the mainstream players in Bangladesh,even as it strengthens progressive forces. The current turmoil in Dhaka is not confined to the context of the past or to recent judgments. It is also a contest between secular and Islamist visions of the state. Delhi,which was party to Bangladeshs foundation,cannot turn away from the diplomatic challenges of the present situation. What happens in a Bangladesh landlocked by India on three sides also affects this countrys internal security.
Dilbag Rai,Chandigarh
