The foreign hand is very much a presence in the affairs of the state (A Swamp of Alien Nesses, Oct 8). The only difference is, it’s now more subtle and also has collaborators in the top echelons of the state. Why is it that Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who was formerly with the World Bank, is Planning Commission deputy chairman? Or Raghuram Rajan, former chief economist at the imf, now India’s chief economic advisor? How do you think people get lateral entries to top positions in the government? I urge you all to read Naomi Klein’s Shock Doctrine for enlightenment.
V.N. Venugopal, New Delhi
In typical Outlook style, a simplistic, polarised idea of the fdi in retail debate, an if-he-likes-chocolate-he-must-hate-vanilla line of thinking. A nuance or two wouldn’t hurt.
Jasjeet Shergill, New York
When you constantly blame others for all your woes, it is perhaps an attempt to cover your own cowardice or incompetence. The only problem is, because of the impotence at the top, an entire nation gets branded thus. And we certainly deserve better.
Rajan C. Mathew, Bhilai
It is unfortunate that both the ruling and the opposition coalition parties lean conveniently on xenophobia to gain political mileage and cover up their internal weaknesses. Rather than turn a blind eye to unscrupulous local politicians and corrupt officials exploiting our lax systems to their advantage, what we need is serious introspection and determinations to stem the rot.
Mathew Adipuzha, Kochi
Can this alleged foreign hand really be destabilising the country from Assam to Kashmir without a local conduit? If so, we need to question the monitoring by our intelligence agencies. Or are they mandated by the ruling party only to keep a check on opposition parties’ and leaders’ activities only?
Pramod Srivastava, New Delhi
“Before blaming the foreign hand, serious investigations have to be conducted. Such accusations have to be backed by hard evidence,” says William Dalrymple. Hmm...thus speaks a foreign hand!
Manish Banerjee, Calcutta
It is politically wise these days to create an enemy where there’s none to re-channelise internal discontent, a time-tested Chankayan ploy!
R.V. Subramanian, Gurgaon
