Opinion Dashed hopes
They must now be feeling devastated.
Dashed hopes
It is unfortunate that the Pakistan government retracted its earlier announcement that Sarabjit Singh would be released,saying it was going to free Surjeet Singh instead (Its Surjeet,not Sarabjit,clarifies Pak,IE,June 27). Sarabjits family had rejoiced at the initial announcement. They must now be feeling devastated. Perhaps it is time the Indian government intervened on humanitarian grounds and secured the release of the scores of Indians detained in Pakistani jails,many of whom have committed no offence.
Bidyut K. Chatterjee,Faridabad
Helping hand
THIS refers to the editorial Riyadh to Delhi (IE,June 27). Saudi Arabias cooperation in the arrest of Abu Jundal may not have been to the liking of its long-time ally,Pakistan,but it has come as a pleasant surprise to most Indians. We should be proactive in maintaining good relations with Saudi Arabia,widening the scope of Indo-Saudi ties.
Bal Govind
Noida
State of disrepair
CHRISTOPHE JAFFRELOTS article The resistible rise of Modi (IE,June 21) is an incisive analysis of the BJPs current predicament. The rise of Narendra Modi and his prospects as a prime ministerial candidate have ruffled feathers in the NDA. His detractors include other powerful regional leaders like Nitish Kumar. Gujarat maintains robust economic growth while many other states are flailing. Modi has evidently delivered on his promise to bring development to his state. This has bolstered his chances of being a national leader. The only thing that could damage Modis chances are the continuing charges that he is not a secular leader. Finally,Jaffrelot is accurate in his observations on Nitin Gadkari. The BJP chief has been imposed on the party by an RSS that is increasingly losing touch with ground realities.
Abhishek Puri
Formidable mind
IN The power of his example (IE,June 23),Pratap Bhanu Mehta has mentioned the late Abid Hussains comeback to an official who had told the government that it must Reform or Perish. The diplomat had replied the phrase implied that the government had a choice,and that it would inevitably choose perish. I knew Hussain,although not too closely. I always found that he would never surrender his personal judgement to populist cliches. There was a time when it was fashionable to lament the brain drain from India,as educated Indians went abroad because of the lack of opportunities at home. Hussain had objected to this,saying brain drain was preferable to brain in the drain. He stood vindicated,as Indians abroad won accolades and grew wealthy,benefiting the country as much as themselves.
R.C. Mody
New Delhi
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