India’s rising geopolitical clout was tested in the G20 summit, and our diplomats showed the way by working out a consensus (‘The world according to India’, September 10). Hats off to them for having given an unrivalled boost to India’s stature. Having said that, it is a given that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an effective communicator. He has freed the bureaucracy from the shackles of hierarchy. Also, Modi’s personal style of diplomacy is paying dividends.
His decisive leadership played an important role in championing the voice of the global south. All African nations will be indebted to India for having made the African Union a permanent member of the G20.
India-Middle East-Europe mega economic corridor is a potential game changer that will give a new direction to the entire world. It will counter the supremacy of China.
Padmaja Gopalakrishnan,
On email.
Yes, it is true that India has emerged as a leading voice of the developing world and she has announced her arrival on the global stage, but is it not pestering when Modi takes all the credit for it? The unexpected consensus and bridging global divide at the G20 is because of the hard work put in by our diplomats.
We had achieved tremendous strides under prime minister Manmohan Singh. But he was too meek and a team player. He was not shrewd like his successor Modi, who is hiding his failures with gimmicks.
Gauri Asthana,
On email.
India has made significant strides, thanks to the determination of her people. We are extremely proud of our achievements in sports and our relief work in conflict zones. While there are still some areas that need stability, I believe India can become a gateway for other nations.
Praveen Thimmaiah,
Bengaluru.
Appreciating the good work done during the G20 by the government is fine but calling Modi Vishwa Guru is the height of sycophancy. Since when did THE WEEK change its colours?
Manoranjan Rao,
On email.
We must accept that China remains a hurdle in India’s march forward. It is difficult for us to push China, whose trade is many times larger than India’s. It borders 14 countries by land and is the world’s third largest country in size.
Suresh Kumar,
On email.
India is a force to reckon with, and her views are taken seriously across the world. We are the fastest growing economy in the world. India will grow even further in the next 10 years, and we will become a $10-trillion economy by 2033.
Like him or not, so much has changed under Modi.
Ranjana Mongia,
On email.
The dalit voice
I would like to congratulate R. Prasannan on a well-written column (‘Powerdrive’, September 10). The subject of dalit politics assumes significance, as the nation prepares for the general elections.
Apart from lack of leadership, the community is sharply divided within its own grouping on the issue of sub-castes.
At one stage Mayawati gave dalits hope. This, after Kanshi Ram passed away. Prasannan has rightly pointed out that Mayawati is busy trying to anoint her nephew as the successor. She has lost grassroots support, and the ruling dispensation is trying to exploit the situation.
The dalit elected representatives in the [Uttar Pradesh] legislature do not have any voice that could count.
V.B. Soni, IFS (retd)
On email.
Need united Congress
The upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan is going to be an indication for the BJP on where things stand ahead of the general elections in 2024 (‘Triple engine’, Sep 10). The Congress government led by Ashok Gehlot has been favourable to many people despite the tussle between Gehlot and Sachin Pilot. The schemes of Gehlot have been used as models by other states. The BJP has to work hard to win the elections in Rajasthan. Also, the Congress has to be united during the elections.
Vivek Dsouza,
On email.
The BJP will come back to power in Rajasthan. The tussle between Pilot and Gehlot will play out sooner rather than later. Not just Pilot, there are many others in the state unit of the Congress who are not happy with Gehlot’s style of functioning.
Pankaj Kothari,
On email.
Tagore the great
The promptness with which Rabindranath Tagore decided to forgo the highest civilian award to an Indian in British-ruled India, amid press censorship and rigid reinforcements of police repression, in the wake of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre is the stuff great personalities are made of (‘Last word’, September 10).
Sachidananda Satpathy,
On email.
Though all columns by Navtej Sarna are a class in itself, the one on Tagore was a masterpiece.
It has left us not only wiser about the British system of conferring awards but has also made us bow our heads in respect of Tagore, who is revered by all.
Satpal Singh,
On email.
Error
People in the teaching profession spot mistakes faster. On page 40 of THE WEEK (issue dated August 27), the location of Shillong [capital of Meghalaya] is shown in Sikkim. It caught my overattentive eyes, being a teacher myself at a university in Guwahati.
The people of the northeast are sensitive to mainland Indians knowing little about them. We have great expectations from prestigious periodicals such as yours. We earnestly expect you to study the northeast in greater depth.
Bikramjit Goswami,
On email.
We regret the error.
Editor