Opinion The complete picture
The courage shown by the prime minister in all three cases is remarkable. However,the inclination of his government to take no offensive action against perpetrators of terrorism hasnt been included in the report card....
Shekhar Guptas assessment of Manmohan Singh is incomplete (A week in politics,IE,February 27). The courage shown by the prime minister in all three cases is remarkable. However,the inclination of his government to take no offensive action against perpetrators of terrorism hasnt been included in the report card. Engaging with Pakistan for talks and penalising criminals against the Indian state are two different things; and both can be done simultaneously.
As of now,I see him as a great statesman and economist,but lacking the sense of honour of his people.
Alok Asthana Mumbai
Less of optimism
Gross domestic optimism deteriorates when ministers like Mamata Banerjee misuse public money to meet their political interests (Gross domestic optimism,IE,February 26). Tax reforms by Pranab Mukherjee and radical steps by P. Chidambaram against Naxalites will be inadequate until backed by other ministries and the opposition. Loopholes in Indias foreign policy were exposed when India was kept away from conferences discussing Afghanistan,and also when it was compelled to resume dialogue with Pakistan under American pressure. Sharad Pawars inability to justify food price inflation,not taking steps to control inflation and the opposition walkout on the Budget,take away from the optimism.
Aditya Pratap Singh
Varanasi
Big loss
M.F. Husains decision to become a citizen of Qatar must have caused great distress to many art lovers in India. He was forced into exile in the wake of Hindu right-wing organisations targeting him. His painful decision reminded me of the plight of Chaplin. In 1952,at the height of McCarthyism,Chaplin was refused re-entry to the US after accusations of being a fellow traveller. Chaplin renounced his US residence and settled in Switzerland. He went back only in 1972 to accept a special Oscar. Husain may also come back one day.
S. Venkataraman
Mumbai
Get them in
It will be good if the womens bill is passed on March 8,International Womens Day (A constituency of her own,IE,March 1). However,its to be ensured that women from different strata get their chance in a Lok Sabha dominated by men since independence. Further,its rightly pointed out that the bill in its current form needs amendments. However,political parties should give the chance to women to contribute more effectively in policy-making
and the welfare of women.
Rajan K. Surat
Hockey high
The Hockey World Cup began on an auspicious note as India hammered arch rivals Pakistan on Holi. The win should act as a morale booster. This is Indias best chance to finish with medals,and home turf advantage should be exploited to the fullest.
S.N. Kabra
Mumbai
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