Editor,
The Opposition parties are trying to align to elect a ‘secular’ President. The pseudo secular parties have decided to set up their own candidate for the post of President of India after the term of the present incumbent is over. BJP believes in positive secularism and is a secular party but the opposition terms BJP a “communal party”. At present the Central Government and most states are ruled by BJP. Large sections of the people of this country do not consider BJP to be communal. On the contrary they see the BJP as a patriotic, nationalist and non-corrupt party. BJP believes in positive secularism, probity in public life especially in high places, justice for all and appeasement for none and Sarva Dharma Sama Bhav ( respect for all religions). A handful of corrupt parties are now coming together to defame the BJP. Many patriotic Indians from RSS are working in BJP. Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh means Nationalist Voluntary Organisation hence its members are patriotic and nationalistic and work for the development and well being of the country. When the Prime Minister of India is from BJP with RSS background, why can the President of India not be from BJP too?
Yours etc
B.B.Chettri
Shillong- 2
Getting our priorities right
Editor,
When trafficking of children is on the rise, the idea of having a database for cows showcases an extreme example of misplaced priority. Since missing, kidnapping and trafficking of children has become a national embarrassment, a database for all the children of our country must be prepared on a war footing and made easily available. Such an initiative can help bring many children back to their families.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
North East football makes a mark!
Editor,
This year has been an incredible one for this lesser known region when an equally lesser known Aizawl FC scripted history by becoming the first North East club to win the I-League title. It was an unprecedented achievement where success has not always followed the passion for football and all this despite budgetary challenges. The rise of Aizawl FC will mark a milestone in Indian football. Equally creditable is the Shillong Lajong FC which was placed fifth in I-League standing. Besides, there is North East United FC, where a number of NE players played for cash rich Indian Super League teams. Assam footballers Durga Boro and Alen Deory feature in the upcoming ISL. The Manipuri Duo Singhs of NEUFC are making waves in Indian football, after impressing in the ISL. The winners in Santosh Trophy, the top domestic championship in India by Manipur (2002-03) and Mizoram (2013-14) had shown remarkable presence of football from the North East. In sub junior football the North East schools from Nagaland (9), Mizoram (6), Assam (5), Manipur (4), Meghalaya (2), Arunachal Pradesh (1), Tripura (1) played a number of Finals in the Subroto Cup tournament.
The love for the game of football is seen in abundance in this land. Nine year old Chandan Boro from Assam has been selected for six years football training at Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim, Germany. And now he is the playing captain of the young club. The forgotten Naga doctor-footballer Talimeren Ao (Mohan Bagan, 1943 and 1952) led the Indian football team in the 1948 London Olympic quarter-final. Come October, it’s time to watch FIFA U-17 World Cup in Guwahati. It is one of the six venues ready for the big event, where 24 teams from six confederations participated. With no big sponsors for NE players, the government has to create infrastructure for this region. In the mind of most Indians, NE is just a about rock and roll music and wild scenic beauty but there are many hidden facets including football now which is coming up in a big way.
Yours etc.,
Kamal Baruah,
Via email