• Pratap B. Mehta took us down memory lane,elaborating on the sensibility of the framers of our Constitution. They were all strongly committed,with the objective of watching and ensuring our national interest. Though framing the Constitution was a Herculean task,the farsightedness and ability of its farmers to work together,despite differences of opinion,made it possible to present an admirable blueprint of the work book of one of the greatest democracies. Subsequent amendments were perhaps necessary because of many original decisions having been taken under great uncertainty. Whats certain is that should the need arise to reframe the Constitution,the same calibre,devotion and compatibility will not be available.
S.K. Gupta
Education unbound
• This refers to Rules are for others. The minister concerned might have asked for strict action on the deemed universities,but at the same time it must have been forgotten that the same UGC had granted such status. Excessive politicisation of not only our universities but also of the UGC led to this. If we want inclusive growth to reach the most number of people to turn them into graduates it will not be possible to expect quality. Except a few,most deemed universities work as mere graduate factories. Regulation of the UGC is now essential.
Shishir Sindekar
Nasik
The real Nehru
• Nehru has always been considered a hopeless idealist,far removed from ground realities. Hindi-Chini and Panchsheel have always been scoffed at as utopian,while his Kashmir referral to the UN is considered a costly blunder. The Congress has made matters worse by preserving these as his tenuous legacy and by throttling any meaningful criticism of this great man,who himself had a tremendous capacity to absorb and appreciate criticism.
To think that Nehru truly believed in communist China as Indias friend is an insult to his intellect. A compulsive optimist,he did wish for a great socialist partnership,but he couldnt have had any doubts about Chinas expansionist designs.
Niharika Rai
New Delhi
Still a threat
• The new audio recording of Osama bin Laden is worrisome. The contemporary nature of the tape,where bin Laden talks about the Christmas Day plot,indicates that he might be alive. Its a blow to Barack Obama,reeling under low ratings and the Massachusetts defeat. Bin Laden and his ilk would want to harp on the divisions within US polity that senses Obama may be out of his depth on security. America has troubles on many fronts,but the present administration should not be mistaken on the fact that terrorism is the biggest threat to any US recovery.
Karan Thakur
New Delhi
