In 'Lanka President wants a political, not military, solution to conflict (Oct. 14) Nilova Roy Chaudhury states “Rajapaksa spoke of the ‘home-grown solution’, based on the Indian model of federalism…” The report, presumably, is based on President Rajapaksa’s address at the HT Leadership Summit last week and on his interview with the reporter. Having been present at both, I affirm that when referring to the Indian model (Constitution), President Rajapaksa did not describe it as one “of federalism”. The Indian Constitution does not characterise itself as being federal in nature. President Rajapaksa is always most scrupulous to avoid ascribing a characteristic to the Indian Constitution, which its very framers have not used.
CR Jayasinghe, High Commissioner Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Delhi
Nilova Roy Chaudhury replies: While I can understand the High Commissioner's desire to be politically correct, given the sensitivities in his country over the kind of formulation of a "home-grown solution", President Rajapaksa is only quoted as using the phrase “home-grown solution”. I stand by what I had written.
Good earth
Apropos of the report Peace Nobel for Pachauri’s green panel, Gore (October 13), former US Vice-President Al Gore and Rajendra Pachauri, head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change, were able to bring about consensus among 3,000 scientists working on global warming issues. It was good to see Pachauri and Gore share the prize.
Rajeev Jain, Sagar
An about-turn
Sonia Gandhi had declared that those opposed to nuclear deal were enemies of development. But her sudden U-turn is shocking. Sonia Gandhi has proved that power is valued over the good of the nation.
{{/usCountry}}Sonia Gandhi had declared that those opposed to nuclear deal were enemies of development. But her sudden U-turn is shocking. Sonia Gandhi has proved that power is valued over the good of the nation.
{{/usCountry}}RS Vohra, Delhi
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