Righteous saint
The Dalai Lama is respected in India, the country that offered him asylum. But, his remarks on Jawaharlal Nehru in August 2018, got him criticism. He said that Mahatma Gandhi was willing to give Muhammad Ali Jinnah the Indian prime minister’s post, but that Nehru refused (‘The eternal peacekeeper’, July 14). Though he apologised for it later, the damage was already done.
The Dalai Lama has led a righteous life, dedicated to his people. His discourses have had a soothing effect on so many people. I wish him good health and a long life.
R.D. Singh,
On email.
I have visited the serene Mcleodganj in Dharamshala many times. I cannot forget a Diwali night I spent there, where I met people from all continents, thanks to the Dalai Lama.
Your cover story on the Dalai Lama was really interesting. It touched upon the Tibetan life, the personal thoughts and the concise views of the Dalai Lama on issues that India, China and Tibet face. The Dalai Lama is very pragmatic in his approach. Yes, Tibet needs freedom. But the world has to acknowledge China’s supremacy.
The Dalai Lama should have the freedom to go back to China and to live peacefully there without the interference of the communist regime.
V.R. Ajith Kumar,
On email.
It is fascinating to realise the extreme intimacy between India and the pious figure in maroon robes—the Dalai Lama. He has said rightly that India is the only nation that can combine modern education and ancient learning.
Ahmed Cimak,
On email.
Your cover story on the Dalai Lama was really interesting. It was nice to know more about the great spiritual leader. His words about the Indian government and Indians have impressed many.
Sinan M.S,
On email.
The Dalai Lama’s struggle to make Tibet free from Chinese rule is truly applaudable. His affection and love towards his fellow beings have attracted so many people towards him. It is due to his selfless work that Buddhism has spread all over the world.
Arathi Raghuveer,
On email.
The liability
Your cover story on the future of the Congress was well covered and was apt for the occasion (‘Handcrafting a resurgence’, July 7). The grand old party of Indian politics has hit the nadir. Now, whether it can rise or not depends on its leaders. To blame an individual or a strategy is stupidity. There are several factors for the downfall of the Congress.
Earlier the Congress used to ride in the name of Gandhi and Nehru. Today it is an outdated cheque, or, rather, a liability. The BJP, over the last ten years or so, has been bombarding the public with slogans against the dynastic politics prevalent in the Congress. The BJP has shaken the very foundation of the Congress by attributing the woes of the country—especially in Kashmir and on the China border—to leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru. Also, the BJP has highlighted how efficient leaders like Vallabhbhai Patel and Lal Bahadur Shastri were sidelined by the then Congress leadership.
The BJP made the 2019 general elections look like a presidential election. A novice like Rahul Gandhi had no answer to the seasoned Modi. The BJP’s social media cell projected Rahul as an immature and weak leader. Rahul also helped the BJP—remember that hug and wink in Parliament?
Dilip Gurjar,
On email.
The new generation of leaders in the Congress do not know much about the sacrifices made by the leaders of the Congress in the past. This has resulted in an emotional vacuum in the party. The gradual fading away of the Congress culture, based on Gandhian principles, cannot be ignored.
S. Gopakumaran Nair,
On email.
I do not know how Arun Bhatnagar, a brilliant IAS officer and a Stephenian, who won praise from both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, suggested that Mamata Banerjee should be brought to the Indian National Congress to head it. Mamata is neither fluent in English nor in Hindi, and apparently considers most of the strong TMC members, except the sycophants, a threat to her leadership. How much she cherishes the trappings of power! Many a politician considers her a polemicist and, in West Bengal, “a lion in winter”.
Arun is unable to see the wood for the trees when there are at least three highly-educated, sophisticated, elegant, erudite and politically-suave young men—all loyal Congressmen— to lead the party. They are Jyotiraditya Scindia, a Doon School alumnus and educated at an Ivy League college in the US; Sachin Pilot, a Sanawarian and son-in-law of Farooq Abdullah; Shashi Tharoor, a Stephenian and a former assistant secretary general of the United Nations. They are all loyal Congressmen and, when they speak, people listen to them attentively.
Vijay Bhatnagar,
On email.
It is very clear from the attitude of the Gandhis that they are in no mood to let the party go out of their grip. This is the same game that Sonia Gandhi played in 2004 when she gave away the prime ministership to Manmohan Singh. The entire country knows who actually ruled from 2004 to 2014.
Today the situation is different. The Congress has to build itself from the scratch. Hence the Gandhis are looking for a suitable lackey to do it for them and, once it is done, to hand over the vehicle back to them.
If the Gandhi family is sincere about keeping themselves away from the party, they should do so by relinquishing even their primary membership.
V.H. Subramoney,
On email.