Editor,
Kudos to your editorial titled, “Why oppose Aadhar?” (ST April 13, 2016). We should welcome Aadhar since it can check many loopholes in the system. However, it needs to be ensured that Aadhar is used not to harass people but to help them. The onus of its registration should rest with the government. Those who fight shy of going to Aadhar camps due to physical or other constraints must get the opportunity to be registered at their homes. It is not a difficult job as registration requires only a laptop and a biometric camera. If someone is left out from being registered then local government needs to redress the matter in time.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
NE foothold for BJP?
Editor
The Assam election is extremely important this year not only for the state of Assam but for the future of entire North East India. Most opinion polls are now suggesting a BJP lead majority government in Assam in the current Assembly election. This will be the first time post independence, that BJP will form a state government in NE India. The region has been historically a strong base for the Indian National Congress for several decades post independence. However, if BJP finds inroads in Assam this will indicate a paradigm shift in NE politics. Major political changes and dynamics will be unfolding in the near future for the entire NE.
Yours etc.,
Saikat Basu,
Lethbridge AB Canada T1J 4B3
Patriotism not an exhibition
Editor,
Kudos to Ananya S. Guha for the article titled “Saga of patriotism..”(ST April 13, 2016). If “patriotism” “inspires” us to launch vitriolic racial and sexist assaults on Maria Sharapova for her “sin” of being ignorant about a certain “God” named Sachin Tendulkar; kill Sanaullah Haque in Jammu jail to take “revenge” for Sarabjit Singh’s killing in a Pakistan prison; launch racist verbal assault on Ravi Rampaul for dismissing Sachin Tendulkar in Wankhade Test; tweet that from now on the “whole country” will go to sleep “peacefully” at night following Tendulkar’s attainment of that statistical jugglery named “Century of Centuries”, by displaying supreme indifference to the plight of millions of Indians(including children) who have to go to bed (on pavements) with deadly pangs of hunger in their stomachs night after night; sweep all social ills of India under the “patriotic” carpet and malign that great humanitarian named Satyajit Ray for his “sin” of “selling poverty” in international forum; flaunt our “elitism” by attaining Mars orbit, never mind if millions are bereft of potable water and toilets; build the world’s highest statue so as to “mesmerize” the world and to display supreme indifference to another noble human being named Kailash Satyarthi as his yeoman’s service has exposed the bitter truth of existence of millions of vulnerable child labourers in this “elite” country before the entire world — then we should hang our heads in shame for our skewed inhuman definition of “patriotism” and “nationalism”. Yes, the cesspool named “nationalism” is nothing but a “feeling that one’s country is superior to another in all respects”(George Orwell) or “hatred for others,your own coming first”(Charles de Gaulle) . No wonder Albert Einstein announced “Heroism on command, senseless violence and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism — how passionately I hate them!” No true Indian will chant rhetorical slogans so as to pass the litmus test of “patriotism” as defined by the communal saffron brigade. Rather their all-embracing work, tolerant thoughts and democratic ideals will talk about their dedication towards India. And I desire to end with Rabindranath Tagore’s assertion “Never allow patriotism to triumph over humanity”. Remember this very person came up with number of swadeshi songs, including ‘Jana Gana Mana…’, reflecting his deep love for the country. But Tagore’s love for the country was not limited to mere flags or zealous chant of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’; but got extended to respect for values, humanity and an earnest yearning for an environment where the mind is without fear and the head held high.
Yours etc,.
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata- 114