A royal lesson in leadership
With reference to Karan Thapar's article The King and I (Sunday Sentiments, October 23), it is delig-htful to learn that King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck of Bhutan is such a down-to-earth person. However, it is not surprising because liberalism runs in the family: his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck voluntarily relinquished power to establish democracy in the country. I vividly remember the young king's inspiring speech at the Calcutta University's convocation in October 2010. He spoke passionately about how important it is to quickly eliminate poverty and provide health and education to all.
Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata
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Thapar's article about Bhutan's royal wedding made for interesting reading. The royal couple's visit to India after the wedding confirms that the two nations share cordial relations.
RD Singh, Ambala
Little gains for Dalits in UP
The article Mayawati is for real (Chanakya, October 23) fails to justify Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati's statue-building spree. The CM is wasting taxpayers' money and what is more surprising that even the Supreme Court has failed to see anything wrong in all such projects. How can poor Dalits of the state feel proud of such wastage? Instead of spending money on such lavish parks, the chief minister should have used it for upgrading schools and health facilities in the rural areas of the state.
AK Sharma, Chandigarh
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Chanakya seems to have declared Mayawati the winner of the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. But it remains to be seen for how long caste politics will get her votes. At a time when the poor are facing so many problems, the chief minister's self-aggrandising policies won't help her much. If she continues like this, it will be difficult for her to win the assembly elections due next year.
Pathikrit Chakraborty, Lucknow
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I fail to understand why Chanakya compared Mayawati with Rahul Gandhi. Rahul is the general secretary of the Congress by virtue of being a Gandhi. Even his attempts to connect with the poor seem to be stage-managed. On the other hand, Mayawati has worked very hard to get where is now. She has courageously fought all odds in a male-dominated society. Unlike Rahul, Mayawati has the guts to call a spade a spade.
Vijay Chadda, via email
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Chanakya seems to have declared Mayawati the winner of the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. But it remains to be seen for how long caste politics will get her votes. At a time when the poor are facing so many problems, the chief minister's self-aggrandising policies won't help her much. If she continues like this, it will be difficult for her to win the assembly elections due next year.
Pathikrit Chakraborty, Lucknow
III
I fail to understand why Chanakya compared Mayawati with Rahul Gandhi. Rahul is the general secretary of the Congress by virtue of being a Gandhi. Even his attempts to connect with the poor seem to be stage-managed. On the other hand, Mayawati has worked very hard to get where is now. She has courageously fought all odds in a male-dominated society. Unlike Rahul, Mayawati has the guts to call a spade a spade.
Vijay Chadda, via email
Ends do not justify the means
Vishwajyoti Ghosh's cartoon (Full Toss, October 23) on former supercop Kiran Bedi and her alleged misuse of public money is brilliant. Though I admire Bedi, I disapprove of the way she charged business class airfare from two NGOs based at a same location. The argument that the money was used for a good cause doesn't justify her actions.
Ashok Ghosh, via email
A change for the better
With reference to Manas Chakravarty's article Thoda adjust kar lo (Loose Canon, October 23), the ministry of home affairs' decision to allow Hinglish in day-to-day work is welcome. The purpose of communication is to convey a message so that most people can understand it. Since everyone talks in Hinglish these days, the change will help the ministry officials to state their objectives and targets clearly. .
SC Vaid, via email
The battle's just begun in Libya
With reference to Indrajit Hazra's article Don't go all chicken (Red Herring, October 23), the power struggle in Libya has begun after Muammar Gaddafi's death. With so many groups operating in Tripoli and elsewhere in Libya, it's unlikely that the question of who will head the nation can be resolved peacefully. The US's intervention in the nation is bound to complicate the situation. The United Nations must intervene and help Libya get back on its feet again.
AB Mehta, Bhopal