War hero
In 1971,under the orders of Indira Gandhi,Bangladesh,then East Pakistan,was liberated from West Pakistan and the operational commander was Lieutenant-General (retd) J.F.R. Jacob of the Indian army. He deserves the high honour bestowed on him by the Bangladesh government (In nod to India role in liberation,Bangla to honour Lt Gen Jacob,IE,March 12). Better late than never.
Vijay D. Patil
Bad beginning
The inclusion of a history-sheeter like Raja Bhaiyya in Akhilesh Yadavs cabinet is ominous (For all his clean refrain,Akhilesh cannot say No to Raja Bhaiyya,IE,March 16). There could,no doubt,be valid reasons. But the aam admi will not like it. Also,the sporadic but continued violence do not augur well for the young CM. He will have to keep whatever promises he has been making to stop the goonda raj,maintain harmony among communities and take the state on the road to prosperity. Though this path is a difficult one,the new CM at least is willing to walk.
Yash P. Verma
Pune
Old ways?
Those who might have been entertaining hopes that Akhilesh Yadav would write a new script for Uttar Pradesh,should be disappointed at the inclusion of Raja Bhaiyya in his cabinet. It may be true,as Akhilesh says,that most of the cases slapped on Raja Bhaiyya were during BSP rule. But its also true that he has been a very controversial figure and Akhilesh could have excluded him. But the fact that he could not proves that UP is in for the same old days of lawlessness people had witnessed during the last SP regime.
Shashi Bhushan
Ghaziabad
Make it new
In Punjab,Sukhbir Singh Badal led the SAD to victory with promises of not just continuing shagun schemes,cheap atta,dal and pensions,etc,but he even added more freebies. In Lucknow,Akhilesh Yadav told the young unemployed they will get Rs 1,000 a month. Why do populist freebies have to be a part of the package of promises of good governance? Akhilesh is being credited with giving the SP a brand new image. Success should give young politicians the courage to take risks. Both Sukhbir and Akhilesh should use their majorities and the new thinking they profess to end the culture of winning elections by doles.
Kartik Nijhawan
Didi out
Your forthright editorial Say no to the bully (IE,March 16) is remarkable for its clarity on how to deal with Didi,the roll-back specialist. Mamata Banerjee has compelled the UPA to roll-back so many things,and shes now giving the same medicine to her own party colleague,the poor railway minister,because of his bold budget. The PM needs to act firm and not yield to such pressure tactics. If the government falls,so be it it has had its days.
V. Subramanyan
Dombivli
