Editor,
Apropos Samares Bandhopadhya’s letter “Minorities under Indian Constitution”, (ST, May 28, 2019), I fully agree with the writer’s historical views. The blame for the Partition of India and Pakistan lies at the feet of Nehru and Jinnah. The Salt March by Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, the burning of a huge mountain of English clothes, the horror of Kalapani whose existence the family members of those who spent their days there are trying to forget; the case of Govind Ballabh Pant being beaten by a six foot long stick (as depicted in radio newsreel of the 1940s. When he fell down a white Congress cap lay beside his head. Then came the long imprisonment of Jawaharlal Nehru, from which cell he wrote many letters and poems; all these ended in smoke. Greed for power had simply divided Bharat during that tumultuous period of the Partition. Even after 1950’s, Nehru still made a grave mistake in inducting China, which was already a super power, into the United nations Security Council (UNSC) and had it not been for the UK, USA and France (though I have doubts about the Rafale commitment),Masood Azhar would never have been black listed. No Pakistan means no Pulwama which leads to no Balakot which finally results in absence of jingoism and nationalism that had swept the whole nation recently – a nation filled with vengeance. There was even a huge protest about Indian cricketers taking part in the tournament in England if the Pakistan cricket team is not expelled by the ICC.
If we delve deeper into history, the final man responsible for our mess is Mussolini, the Italian Fascist. Hitler had to rescue him after his misadventure into Greece. Thirty three long days were wasted and the icy cold winter with deadly snipers halted the Stalingrad thrust. This made Hitler lament at the imminent defeat, “I have but few miserable years, where others had eternity at their disposal (talking of Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt)”. If Mussolini had not distracted Hitler it would have meant that the Fuehrer with his Third Reich might also have ruled India. We would then be driving BMW’s and also be champions of World Cup Football.
Yours etc.,
- Khyriem,
Nongkrem 15
Modi’s winning formula
Editor,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was back in Varanasi on Monday to thank voters, party workers and offer prayers at the Kashi Viswanath temple. Modi said, “ Despite facing political untouchability and political violence, the BJP has worked on its chemistry with people to beat all poll arithmetic. Political pundits are not aware that their thinking and logic are meant for the 20th century. Results show that beyond arithmetic there is chemistry and this time chemistry has triumphed over arithmetic.”
Modi has found the right practical theory of how his government was able to steer through the tough election times and how he and his party could romp home victorious, retaining power for the second consecutive time at the Centre. Behind this voter chemistry, the BJP’s long and persistent work in the background unifying every divided Hindu is the rationale behind its victory. The shrewd Chanakya at the helm of the BJP, Mr Amit Shah had been tirelessly working to awaken every Hindu from his slumber and to jump on the bandwagon of the Hindu juggernaut to establish a bigger political institution to safeguard the interests of the Hindus at large.
Apart from the voter chemistry theory that Modi has been able to attribute to his landslide victory in the election, his personal charisma too played a vital role. By nature Modi is a down to earth man finding solutions to myriads problems in his own way. In the international spheres too, he is a more welcome figure than any other leader from India, and he has a good rapport with so many world leaders as well. In short, the charismatic Modi seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to winning elections.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Kochi -15
Irresponsible action
Editor,
This evening as I was walking from Rilbong towards Laban last stop, I saw labourers carrying out some concrete work on the roadside just a block or two after Rilbong Police Station. I was surprised to see them place glass splinters around the concrete work and assumed that it was meant to prevent people from sitting and loitering around the place. However, I would like to question the wisdom of those who gave the instructions to place the glass splinters, since this is being done in a public place (road side) where school and college students pass through during the day. As this is not a busy road, it is routine to see students run and play while passing by. Now, if something happen to the students or to anybody for that matter, will those who gave the instruction to place the glass splinters take the blame?
Yours etc.,
BJ Syiemlieh
Shillong -5