Opinion New is old
Pratap Bhanu Mehtas Politics as morality play was incisive in observation and argument.
Pratap Bhanu Mehtas Politics as morality play (IE,December 7) was incisive in observation and argument. Indeed,the politician is the supreme being in our society,though other stakeholders may take a sanctimonious view of the political class. More recently,the politician has mastered the art of the politics of development to her advantage. The flight of capital from the state to vested interests is often overlooked,while the politician is hailed as the messiah of a new type of politics. This extends what Mehta alludes to when he talks about how the politician has convinced us into believing that caste,religion and identity politics are passe,while the new buzzword is development. The politician still continues to indulge in the politics of the old,with a new veneer of acceptability in the name of development.
Karan Thakur
New Delhi
French connection
This refers to C. Raja Mohans Beyond the deals (IE,December 6). The cooperation between India and France must be strengthened in nuclear energy,blue water,outer space,the cyber domain and security. It appears France is more willing to extend help than India is ready to accept. It is time to choose strategic partners carefully. France is undoubtedly reliable and we should not delay the deals in our national interest. The opportunity to make a firmer base on international fora,including the UN,must be availed now.
S.C. Vaid
Greater Noida
Practise,dont preach
The WikiLeaks saga has been causing tremendous consternation to the United States. The reaction ranges from blocking the site to charging and hounding the people behind WikiLeaks. The US has been a votary of free speech,then why should it be huffing and puffing over WikiLeaks? Earlier,Barack Obama had been highly critical of cyber attacks on Google,with reported origins in China. Now,America is ready to discipline those behind WikiLeaks,countermanding the very principles it stood for.
R.J. Khurana
Down and under
Is there any greater joy in cricket than watching the Aussies pushed against the wall? A resurgent England forced on them one of the most humiliating defeats of the decade. Of late,none of Ricky Pontings plans has worked. He is himself a pathetic shadow of what was once an arrogant exhibition of intimidation and sledging. India still remains the unconquered frontier for them,and we showed others that the Aussies are not invincible. It was India who first delivered the big blow against the mighty West Indies after which their slide began. The same is now happening with Australia.
C.R. Panchanathan
New Delhi
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