Your Republic Day special issue was very good. I felt proud to read about ‘Veer Naris’ who followed their martyred loved ones into the armed forces (‘Profiles in fortitude’, February 6).
Your cover story was a fitting homage to each one of them! I can only wish them joy and success in their lives ahead.
Jennifer Arul,
On email.
Losing their loved ones did not drive them into the corner, but it motivated them to join the armed forces, which is remarkable. I feel the parents of the war widows have to be praised, because in spite of knowing the risks of military life they agreed to marry off their daughters to soldiers.
Hats off to the service-minded war widows for accepting the brave and challenging jobs of their martyred husbands.
Raghavan Rajagopal,
On email.
Your cover story was very thoughtfully brought out. The pictures and the coverage were amazing. My salutations.
Madhura Chatrapathy,
On email.
Reading about ‘Veer Naris’ was painful, emotional, and utterly inspirational. They are a class apart.
Kudos to the warriors at THE WEEK, too.
Nivedita Havanur-Honnatti,
Bengaluru.
When these women, especially the wives of martyrs, were eligible to live on widow pension for the rest of their lives, they chose a different path, worked hard and chased the dreams of their husbands. No doubt they have relived their lost family life, and in the process, have proven that the Army is a way of life and not merely a job.
Krishnakumar G.,
On email.
Why the ego, Kohli?
As a coin has two sides, there are two views on Virat Kohli’s resignation as captain from T20 and Test teams (‘Dreamer, doer’, January 30). Undoubtedly, Kohli is a legend and one of the best cricketers India has seen, but he is certainly not cricket’s god.
During Kohli’s tenure as captain, across formats, he brought many accolades and laurels. But the reason for his downfall was his aggression on the field, and, sometimes, indecent behaviour.
I feel Kohli should have waited for some more time before stepping down as captain. Also, his ego should not have hindered Indian team’s performances.
Amarnath G.,
On email.
Kohli’s exit from captaincy is the most unfortunate thing that could have happened to Indian cricket. Let us wait and see what is in store for Indian cricket in future.
Amar L. Naik,
On email.
Study male chauvinism
Our society is only looking at crimes and screaming until criminals are punished, but nobody is trying to look inside the minds of male chauvinist beasts. Is it not time to look into deep-rooted causes for crimes?
I could not find even one organisation or a reputed personality demanding the government to set up a team of eminent psychologists to find reasons for male chauvinism in our society, to study the changes that have gradually developed in the male mind (‘Bitter chocolate’, January 30).
K.L. Prasad,
On email.
Popular Shastri
Lal Bahadur Shastri was diminutive in appearance but firm in decision making (‘Bird that soared, January 23’).
[During the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965] Shastri asked the Air Force to come in when the Pakistani armour was roaring to cut off Jammu and Kashmir. Looking back, one cannot but conclude that in the 1962 war against China, our government should have allowed the Air Force to come in. The Indian Air Force was far superior to the Chinese at that time. It would have tilted the outcome [of the war]. But the government of the time never even thought about it, leave aside permitting it.
Shastri remains one of the most loved prime ministers of the country. His popular slogan, ‘Jai Jawan; Jai Kisan’ still remains a valid cry. [Back then] almost all households started growing some or the other vegetable in whatever patch of land they could. This was the first national appeal after the ‘Quit India Movement’ that became a national cry.
A nation does not pick up a slogan just because a prime minister says so. Shastri’s untimely death was a severe blow to the country.
Laljee Verma,
retired air marshal,
On email.
On Schizo-Nation
I have been a regular reader of THE WEEK for a long time. I find the content interesting, and you have an array of columnists with diverse views. I believe most of them have used the space provided to them responsibly.
However, there is a jarring note, which, of late, for whatever reasons, has become worse. Anuja Chauhan is using the platform provided by you as a personal one to trumpet her angst against the prime minister. In doing so, she appears to have just one agenda—rant; facts, data be damned!
As a reader, I respect your right to provide space to whosoever you think is qualified, but I also expect the editor to guide and counsel a contributor when there is a need; in this case Chauhan will do well to heed to your sage counselling.
Shekhar Naik,
On email.
Congratulations
Congratulations to THE WEEK on a well-deserved milestone—40 years of a newsweekly of which I have been an ardent reader for the last 16 years.
Asha Krishna Kumar,
On email.