War and India’s stand
It is shocking and surprising that India is firm in its stand of not finding fault with Russia as far as the Ukraine war is concerned. The heart-rending scenes in Mariupol, where thousands are bidding farewell to their loved ones and also suffering for want of water, food, medicine and power, should move India. The Russian President must remember that absolute power will end only in absolute extirpation. He should look at history.
Mani Natarajan,
Coonoor, The Nilgiris
Gadkari on Congress
Homilies on democracy from the representative of a party criticised for bulldozing India’s democratic edifice are rare (Page 1, “Strong Congress essential for India”, March 28). Regional parties, Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitin Gadkari has said, must not be allowed to edge the Congress out when it comes to occupying the Opposition space. Does that mean the BJP is nervous about this resurgence of regional outfits? The electoral thrashing the BJP received at the hands of the Trinamool Congress in Bengal and the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab may offer clues in decoding Mr. Gadkari’s message.
S.S. Paul,
Nadia, West Bengal
Mr. Gadkari’s words are a whiff of fresh air in the present dog-eats-dog world of party politics. His mature words remind us all of the statesman in him, and it makes him a rarity in the current crop of Indian politicians. Inarguably, he strides a different path from the party he represents.
Ayyasseri Raveendranath,
Aranmula, Kerala
It is more than a little surprising to find Mr. Gadkari make a pitch for the Congress, a line which is at complete variance with his party’s avowed objective of a ‘Congressmukt’ Bharat. Mr. Gadkari is one of the few Ministers in the Bharatiya Janata Party who is not only efficient but also does not have an adversarial position with his political opponents. The dangers of a fragmented Opposition are dangerous to the federal structure of the nation.
Anthony Henriques,
Mumbai
By expressing concern about the weakened Congress, Mr. Gadkari stands taller than other leaders of his party including the Prime Minister. He is 100% right in saying that a strong Congress party is essential in preventing regional parties from hijacking its place in the Opposition space. The BJP and the GOP should help usher in a healthy two party system nationally.
M.R. Anand,
Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
It is refreshing to hear the words ‘strong Opposition’, ‘democracy’, and other related words from a person in an ‘Opposition Mukt Bharat’ camp. Mr. Gadkari has extended balanced and good-spirited counsel to the Indian National Congress. Mr. Gadkari’s view on regional parties betrays his attitude towards federalism though one can perceive in him Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s spirit of liberalism and a dignified outlook — in contrast to the current set of BJP politicians.
Jayaraman, N.,
Chennai
Mr. Gadkari’s view that a strong Opposition is needed for the victory of democracy and that the Congress needs to be empowered is very relevant and commendable. One hopes that his opinion will help energise the Congress, especially as he has given the party advice — not to be discouraged by electoral failures.
Jayakumar A.V.,
Thrikkakkara, Kochi, Kerala
Idli Day
March 30 is observed as World Idli Day. Yes! The reputation of the humble idli is a phenomenon. Steamed and delectable and when served with sambar and chutney, makes the idli one of the nation’s much sought breakfast foods.
R. Sivakumar,
Chennai
