Mutiny motives

Who can forget the role of Shivaji, Rana Pratap and Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. Even the Anglo-Sikh war of 1845 was a death blow to the British empire.

Apropos of the report Signs of mutiny over 1857 celebrations (March 28), I object to calling this the first war of independence because all those who fought for the overthrow of foreign rule before this have been ignored by the government. Who can forget the role of Shivaji, Rana Pratap and Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. Even the Anglo-Sikh war of 1845 was a death blow to the British empire. I fail to understand why history is being rewritten.

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Tarlochan Singh
Delhi

II

It does not make sense to spend crores to celebrate the 1857 mutiny, while millions in the country are not getting a decent meal and clean water to drink. Perhaps the best tribute to the martyrs would be a special prayer. The money saved may be used for the uplift of the poor.

JN Mahanty
Puri

To Russia, with love

AG Noorani in From Russia, with ire (March 27) rightly stated that Russia’s involvement in world affairs is in India’s interest. It’s time we realised that we will benefit more by throwing in our lot with Russia than the US.

Anurag Arya
Varanasi

Taming traffic

I express my gratitude for the orders passed by the Delhi High Court in jacking up fines for traffic violations. It should add more like stopping vehicles on zebra crossings and headlight violations.

ML Dhingra
via e-mail

Secular service

David Devadas in Guns and poses in the Valley (March 29) qualifies for the Nobel Prize for political breast-beating at the cost of national interest. While the army continues to win hearts and minds with its selfless service, terrorists’ demand that it has been a long time since they had a free run has cut ice with Devadas.

Gaurav Mahendru
via e-mail

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