Our real hero
The life and times of K. Chandru—retired judge, who fought for the rights of the marginalised—is really inspiring (‘The people’s judge’, November 21). After knowing more about honest Chandru, I am inspired. I feel like supporting everyone who is in need of help. Let more people like Chandru come forward for the welfare of people without distinctions based on caste, creed and religion. He is a role model and our real hero.
Pawan Baghwar,
On email.
Justice Chandru’s heroic legal battles for the downtrodden were elaborately discussed in your cover story. Even today, in some parts of Tamil Nadu, tea is served in two separate glasses—one for the upper caste and the other for the dalits. Such brazen behaviour in the 21st century!
Chandru’s unstinted efforts, backed by the clarion call of the film, Jai Bhim, will serve as an eye-opener. It will help weaker sections of society to hold their heads high and fight for an equal world.
Sanath Kumar T.S.,
On email.
It was fascinating to go through the life story of Justice Chandru. We have read such stories only in history textbooks (on Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar and other eminent personalities).
It is surprising how Chandru could impart selfless service for the poor. I salute you, sir. You should continue to guide young people in India, and tell them to be brave and honest just like you.
Amarnath G.,
On email.
The cover story on Justice Chandru was quite inspiring. Some people are blind to see, deaf to hear, and cold to the pain of others, but Chandru was different. He fought genuinely for people’s justice. As for me, he is one of the rare ‘justices’ who lived for justice.
Shanti Ekka,
On email.
I want to thank God for producing such kind-hearted people like Justice Chandru in this world. After reading your cover story and knowing more about him, thousands of men with toxic masculinity must have been inspired to change their way of life for good.
S.P. Ashta,
On email.
Thank you for highlighting the life and work of Justice Chandru. There are only a handful of people like him in our country, who are the epitome of honesty and sincerity. Jai Bhim, I hope, will serve as a tribute to this unsung hero of the oppressed. He is an inspiration to so many.
Sohan Fernandes,
On email.
Justice Chandru’s story moved me. It disturbed me, albeit positively. His life is the soul of equity and justice, and a light for the downtrodden. Reading about him motivates me to be the change in this broken society.
V. Kalai Selvan,
Thiruvananthapuram.
Invest in border villages
Kudos to THE WEEK for travelling to Qila Darhal. I agree that the Army needs the help and support of the locals everywhere (‘Forward defence’, November 21). Border villages need development and the government should regularly allocate funds for this. Big corporates should be also asked to invest in border villages.
The Army and the BSF need the support of the locals in border villages, who play a significant role in the national security.
Prasad Venugopal,
On email.
Politics and economics
In ‘Power Point’ (November 21) Sachidananda Murthy brought out the dilemma of choosing either political considerations or economic considerations very logically. This dilemma, accentuated by the pandemic, has always troubled politicians. Can the two lead to a common path? It is normally believed that the two cannot co-exist. For example, dole to the poor may be good politics, but it is very difficult to manage it economically. However, both political and economic considerations are equally important. Neither can be ignored. Therefore, we need to find out a way that fully serves the requirements of politics as well that of economics. Is that possible? Yes, it is.
Pravin Bihari Sharan,
On email.
Vague plan
Climate change shows nothing but the quality of our lives on earth and it manifests a sign of the moral degradation of human beings (‘Youth booth’, November 21). Though the COP26 summit made all leaders aware of the gravity of the issue and the importance of their roles, the plans appear vague.
Ranjan Baa,
On email.
Into the BJP’s trap
The election tempo in Uttar Pradesh presents an interesting spectacle (‘Last word’, November 21). The political parties there are vying with each other, instead of highlighting the economic downturn following the pandemic.
Akhilesh Yadav’s reference to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, along with Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, in an election speech, apparently to please the Muslim community, offered an opportunity for the BJP to play up the historic communal divide.
Again, Priyanka Gandhi’s exhortation to women candidates to contest the election, while she is shying away from it, sounds hollow.
The opposition leaders are busy visiting temples to appease religious sentiments of people, apparently falling into the BJP’s turf.
B. Gurumurthy,
On email.
She stood out
Angela Merkel, the first woman chancellor of Germany, stood out among world leaders (‘Farewell, Merkel’, November 14).
During her tenure, Europe lived through times of turbulence and turmoil, and Merkel stood out as a strong saviour of democracy. This simple but magnanimous woman kept her theological beliefs and politics poles apart.
Sunil Chopra,
On email.