In the cover story After the Duel, the Deep Freeze (February 12), Prime Minister Deve Gowda looks worried, as if he knows his ship is sinking. Kesri, on the other hand, is sporting a smile. He seems to be looking forward to the prime ministerial gaddi towards which he is taking measured steps. Also, the two are facing opposite directions, indicating that their views are also totally different. Kudos to the photographers.
K.S. Narayanan, Chennai
Congress president and CWC/ CPP leader Sitaram Kesri started Deve Gowda-bashing like a lion, but soon became a rabbit, keeping a low-profile and becoming relatively tamer after the CBI interrogation. Why? What does the welfare-minded man have to hide? However, we Indians did not expect Kesri to be a Pawar or a Rao with his
Mr Clean image. With this the Congress has taken a back seat as far as India’s future is concerned. Hats off to you for your powerful fact-file on Gowda and Kesari.
T.R. Anand, Sarangabad (WB)
The cover story, Sharif’s Dilemma (February 19),is symptomatic of the way of thinking among the intelligentsia regarding improvements of relations between India and Pakistan with a change in governments. Similar euphoria was seen when H.D. Deve Gowda became Prime Minister andI.K. Gujral, his foreign minister. However, while doing so, they tend to forget the genesis of the creation of Pakistan, i.e., anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiments.
No doubt Nawaz Sharif is looking forward to improving relations with India, in the present scenario it is impossible to expect a breakthrough, due to political compulsions. This is unlikely to change even after 50 or 100 years.
V. Sagar, Delhi
Before taking over as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif’s pledge to restore trade ties with India stems from the fact that Pakistan’s economy is in a shambles. This probably is the reason why he did not utter a word about resolving the Kashmir stalemate.
A.P. Thandani, Ahmedabad
Apropos Search for the Sixth Account (February 12), it looks like a case where you’re never off the scent but never catch the prey either. Will the Lok Sabha pass the resolution requesting Sweden and Noble Industries to furnish the full facts and details of the recipients of the commissions? For, the Swiss authorities have given all the documents after establishing that the bribes were paid. Will the cabals hiding behind the masks be exposed in the national interest? Or will the Prime Minister put a cap on it under a quid pro quo arrangement to remain in power?
V. Radhu, Delhi
This refers to Pakistan: Heralding More Confusion (February 12). Now that Nawaz Sharif is back in power, we will continue to sing the lullaby of a better bilateral relationship. After a while, the new premier will resume the ‘Hate India’ campaign or else he won’t remain in power, since Pakistanis don’t want peace with us. Instead of suffering from a persecution complex and waging a shadow war against us, Pakistan should build up its economy and put an end to all the wasteful expenditure incurred by both nations. A politically stable and economically sound neighbour is always an asset. Let’s hope Sharif has learnt from his past experience, and will not push Pakistan to the brink of bankruptcy again.
U.S. Iyer, Bangalore
Pakistan’s democracy is an uncertain feature which has a serious bearing on peace and security in South Asia. Benazir’s threat of not accepting the poll results and the Jamat-e-Isl-ami’s virulent ‘accountability’ campaign point to the fact that the political battles ahead may inevitably stall Pakistan’s development.
As a nation, we should hope that democracy emerges winner in Pakistan.
S.N. Nizami, Delhi
Experiments With Truth (February 12), by Tarun J. Tejpal on the book Nehru: A Tryst with Destiny, is nothing but a replay of old episodes on the debonair prime minister. Who said that Nehru was a gentleman? The movie, The Last Viceroy, depicted him as a playboy and an ordinary male with a strong weakness for women. The film was banned in India, but we, the people of India, feel anguish to note that an unworthy and unwholesome individual’s political ambitions paved the way for the tragic partition of our motherland!
K.S.N. Raju, Chipurupalle (AP)
In Birthplace of a Crisis? (February 12), Acharya Giriraj Kishore says "... We can offer a plate of food, but no one can be forced to eat it." It is men like him who create chaos and capitalise on the sentiments of religious followers, by offering a "plate of food" to political parties! As if the present state of our country is not bad enough. If the administration had taken tough measures during the Babri Masjid episode, these enemies within would not have had the guts to make a comeback. Why do they want to prove that they are the best at self-destruction? Let’s have a civil war once and for all and resolve matters related to the God-forsaken ‘birthplaces’.
Vipul Dadheech, Bikaner
Apropos A Victim Twice Over (February 5), destiny has worked against Mallika Begum. But who will fight for her? The information given about Mohammed Taj (Mallika’s husband), by his commanding officer is misleading. Perhaps his only intention of marrying Mallika was for her money. It is time that our social organisations came forward to fight for the rights of this Bhagalpur riot victim.
F.I. Choudhury, Delhi
We have been regular readers of Outlook for over a year. This letter is in response to the most depressing and outlandish cricket article—What did You Learn in School Today? (February 19).
To an avid follower of cricket, some gross deficiencies are glaringly obvious in the article, starting from the questioning of Sachin’s age to be captain. Age has never been a critererion for selection, to cricket teams at least. Sachin played international cricket for seven years before he got the job. And his cricketing acumen is admired the world over.
Your correspondent was too critical of Azharuddin, who in recent times has played well. Who else in the Indian team can boast of three-and-a-half centuries in the past six tests?
By printing a misleading photograph and dubbing the team as ‘dispirited’, the correspondent has touched a raw nerve. What the writer has not realised is that it is very easy to be critical of a team trying hard and that it does them a world of good if they are encouraged. We should realise that ours is a young team with lots of talent and in time, they will improve. Patience is a virtue your correspondent seems to have none of. The article was untimely, especially as our team is embarking on an arduous tour of the West indies.
Dr Manoj Abraham, Dr Kannan V., Dr Sumit Mohan, Manipal
