:: Letters to Editor

India must talk straight on tibet

Oct.29 : Sir, This refers to the article India must take a 'Free Tibet' stand (October 22) by Nitish Sengupta. In a clear rebuff to China, which has strongly objected to the Dalai Lama's proposed visit to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh next month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the Tibetan spiritual leader as an "honoured guest of India and a religious leader". It was clearly spelt out to Chinese premier Wen Jiabao that the Dalai Lama was free to travel anywhere within India. But the question to be addressed is how far India and China can proceed with their new policy of pragmatism without raising fresh controversies about difficult political issues? Indian officials say their position on Tibet hasn't changed. Some describe it as formalising of policy, not a change of policy. New Delhi should consider retracing steps and reviving the case for Tibet's complete autonomy and for the withdrawal of the Chinese military forces from Tibet. Once India takes this stand, there will be support for it in the UN as well. After all, during the days of Hindi-Chini bhai bhai, China did not oppose India's case for Jammu and Kashmir, but changed its stance the moment it became friendly with Pakistan and border problems erupted between China and India. So there is a precedent for India to re-open the Tibetan question.

Nyima Gyalpo

Annshu Apartment, Pune

Fear of Living and Dying

Sir, Every human being can sympathise with the people of Iraq who face death from suicides bombers day in and day out. The tragedy has been going on since the United States invaded Iraq on false pretext. Sunday's car bombing in Iraq killed 136 people and injured more than 500. Regular bombings have rocked Iraq's political landscape. "Any man's death diminishes me as I am involved with mankind", John Donne, the poet, had once said.

V.S. Venkatavaradan

Via email

Huma akram's death is tragic

Sir, It is sad that Huma Akram, wife of former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, died so tragically in Chennai. The Indian civil aviation authorities showed consideration in permitting the air ambulance carrying Huma to make an emergency landing at Chennai airport. The government also deserves a pat for issuing special visas to Akram and Huma's brother. The doctors at the super-speciality hospital Apollo did their best but could not save Huma.

K. Pradeep

Mogappair, Chennai

Bigg boss must be banned

Sir, The reality show Bigg Boss is neither entertaining nor educative. People watching the show with their families spend embarrassing moments because of the abusive language used. Bigg Boss should have been modified in such a way that the viewers watching it would realise the importance of adjusting with other people and living in harmony. Bigg Boss should be banned.

G.V. Kumar

Via email

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The defeat of communalism

Sir, The Congress-Nationalist Congress Party victory in Maharashtra was based less on their past performance and more on political circumstances. The ruling coalition had more failures than success. The people of Maharashtra rejected communalism as narrow-minded politics, and gave the thumbs-up to people who have divided the society on the basis of region and language.

Shomil Sahai

Via email