:: Letters to Editor

BE ASSERTIVE WITH CHINA

Oct.01 : Sir, This refers to the article Dalai’s Tawang visit plan makes China red (September 24) by Nitish Sengupta. India should be more assertive and make its stand on Arunachal Pradesh very clear to China. New Delhi needs to make a bold statement about the frequent claims China makes in respect of Arunachal Pradesh. There is little room for being conciliatory at the expense of important strategic concerns. China’s so-called claims to areas on the Tibetan border became invalid the moment it repudiated the Dalai Lama and his rule over Tibet. It is time India boldly asserted that. China’s claims on India’s border areas like Ladakh, Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh are entirely based on the fact that the Dalai Lama had some kind of hold, more spiritual than political, over the people living in those areas. Meanwhile, the "trust, but verify" mantra needs a little modification in the context of China. How about an alternative: "Speak softly, but carry a big stick"?

Nyima Gyalpo

Pune, Maharashtra

ONE politician per family

Sir, The candidature of Rajendra Shekhawat, President Pratibha Patil’s son who has been picked by the Congress to contest for a Maharashtra Assembly seat, is yet another example of the avariciousness of those who are already enjoying the fruits of politics. To avoid the grabbing of political positions by members of a political family, why can’t we bring in legislation that at any point of time only one member of a family can hold a political position? Had such a provision existed, then there is no doubt that Mrs Patil would have sacrificed her Raisina Hill privileges to pave the way for her son’s ascendancy in public life. However, now the ball is in the court of the electorate. They should elect Sunil Deshmukh, the sitting Congress MLA and state minister who was axed to make room for Mr Shekhawat, to prove to the world that Mr Shekhawat’s mother may be the President of India but they are the ones who will decide as to who should be the legislators.

Tharcius S. Fernando

Via email

PLAY cricket, don’t brag

Sir, Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s comment that he tried do his best after India faced defeat against Pakistan on September 26 in the ICC Champions Trophy is right but needs a small correction. The Indian team lacks confidence in bowling, batting and fielding. Once a tournament is over our players get all confident, and this lasts till the beginning of the next tournament. Our players have all the confidence in the world to act in advertisements and earn crores, but it is shameful that whenever they face a crucial match, they seldom come through confidently. But if there is a bragging tournament, the Indian team will win hands down. Play cricket, stop bragging and giving excuses.

M.M. Kale

Via email

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RAHUL gandhi praiseworthy

Sir, One must admire AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s persistence in establishing himself as being one with the downtrodden. His tryst with dalit families demonstrates that he is concerned about the plight of poor people. In a country where it is difficult to find the rich mingling with the poor, his conduct is praiseworthy. Whatever be the reason for his kind-heartedness, Mr Gandhi’s continued interest in the welfare of the poor will endear him to the people of India, given that no other political leader has ever shown the honesty that he exhibits.

V.P. Damodar

Viman Nagar, Pune