Sense of outrage
The defeat in West Bengal has humbled Narendra Modi and his team. Such setbacks are needed once in a while for the BJP and the Central government to get into a redemptive mode (‘The bug and the glitches’, May 16).
There is a palpable sense of outrage over the government’s handling of the pandemic. One cannot blame only Modi for that. We are all responsible, in some manner or the other, for the devastating second wave.
Modi must still be popular, but his image has been severely dented. He needs to do something urgently to quell people’s anger.
S.P. Pathak,
Mumbai.
It was heartbreaking to see people in the country plead for oxygen in the last few weeks. The Central government did nothing until the courts forced it to act. It is sad that the government has no value for people’s lives. India does not have enough medical infrastructure for its vast population, and here you have a prime minister who takes credit for good things, and keeps quiet or blames others when things go wrong.
There is a deep sense of neglect and betrayal in today’s India, as people are left to take care of themselves.
Gopal Iyer,
On email.
When the person at the wheel is disturbed and stressed, the state of mind of the passengers can be imagined.
Modi’s first term was a honeymoon phase, but the second term has largely been a period of struggle.
Sanath Kumar T.S.,
On email.
Considering itself to be the pharmacy of the world, India enthusiastically exported medicines and millions of vaccines. It is now reeling under pressure because of its own wrong strategies and myopic vision.
The Centre wants the states to make arrangements for the remaining vaccines. Leaving the states in the lurch when their financial situation is frail is unfortunate.
Sunil Chopra,
Ludhiana, Punjab.
From the beginning your correspondent was wrong in his assessment of the political situation in West Bengal. In fact, in the issue dated May 2, you almost gave the BJP a walkover.
I had drawn your attention to the wrong assessment of the ground situation. You didn’t pay any heed. Now you must have realised that it was not a mistake but a blunder. You owe readers an unconditional apology.
Mrinal Kanti Chakraborty,
On email.
Your Kerala correspondent seems to have got carried away while praising Pinarayi Vijayan. The victory of the LDF is because of the hard work the ordinary party workers, and the good work done by ministries like health, PWD, education and civil supplies.
Also, there was lack of leadership and unity in the Congress. The only people who worked sincerely for the Congress in Kerala were Rahul Gandhi and
Priyanka. It is time for a total change in the Congress in the state.
Binoj Mathew,
On email.
Disgraceful defence
That the Supreme Court was constrained to come down heavily on Narendra Modi and his government for the dismal performance in handling the second surge speaks volumes of his callous and non-committal attitude towards people. Modi had no conscience turning a Nelson’s eye to the double standards of pharmaceutical giants in fixing the price of vaccines.
Seen against this backdrop, I can’t help pitying Meenakshi Lekhi on her effort to bail out Modi (‘Onus on us, not just Modi’, May 16).
Govindan Ravanershwaram,
Kasaragod, Kerala.
Chivalrous lawyer
Soli Sorabjee was an outstanding lawyer who will be missed (‘The courtroom genius’, May 16). He was an exceptional legal mind who was so chivalrous. Such lawyers will be rare to find in the coming years.
Anosh Ahmed,
On email.
Sometime in 2009-10, when I was in Delhi, I used to spend the evenings reporting a load of X-rays and doing portable ultrasounds and Dopplers.
Most patients would wait patiently, while some would create a fuss on not being allowed to empty their bladders, or not being allowed to have tea.
One such evening, as we made our way into one of the deluxe suites, I was pleasantly surprised to meet this adorable Parsi gentleman with twinkling eyes. It was none other than Sorabjee, who, along with his charming wife, was waiting for an arterial and venous peripheral Doppler. He was admitted for routine investigations.
Sorabjee’s disarming smile and gracious attitude put all of us at ease. After multiple attempts we finally got the ultrasound machine going. There was no impatience or disgruntlement from our distinguished patient.
The rhythmic arterial Doppler sounds had Sorabjee humming along. He spoke about jazz and said the sound of Doppler had a distinct character of music.
It was only befitting that Sorabjee bid adieu on international jazz day on April 30.
Amita Singh,
On email.
Hail the original
As usual Anuja Chauhan’s column made for an excellent read (‘Pantomime of fakes’, May 16). We see a multitude of sasti copies around us. Even our citizens are sasti citizens and the high decibel nationalistic cries are sasti patriotism (jingoism).
Awake countrymen, open your eyes and hail the original not the sasti.
P. Gracious Grace,
Secunderabad, Telangana.
Come to Delhi, didi
I liked Shobhaa De’s column on Mamata Banerjee (‘Street fighter to feminist icon’, May 16). I am glad that Mamata’s achievement is not confined to Bengal. This is the best time for didi to play an innings in Delhi.
Raghavendra Babu,
Chennai.