Your cover package on Nita Ambani was intriguing (‘I want to represent the youth of the country’, May 14). Ms Ambani deserves a round of applause for all the noble work she has done over the years. She keeps setting goals and achieving them—that is awesome.
Not just that, Ambani makes it a point to see to it that the wealth of the Reliance Foundation is used for productive things. As the wife of the richest Indian, Ambani could have just supported her husband, Mukesh Ambani. But being a visionary that she is, Ambani took all her determination to rise to the occasion. She directed her passion into an exposition of initiatives. There will come a time when the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) will host the Oscars.
Great going, Ms Ambani. We are proud to have you amidst us.
Sriparna Basu,
On email.
Ambani’s philanthropic efforts have touched millions of lives. I was not aware that she was a trained bharatanatyam dancer.
Ambani was quick to note the gap in sports and the opportunity for sports management in the country. India has so much talent, and I am sure with Ambani’s efforts, India—world football’s sleeping giant—will wake up, and soon play in World Cup.
Devender Tokas,
On email.
The NMACC will change the game for India’s art scene, and it is going to host many important events in the coming years. What makes Ambani special is that she is humble. No matter what, she is always smiling. Humility, along with success, makes you the greatest person ever.
At 59, Ambani looks so young and fit. She has made an identity for herself, and will continue to inspire men and women. It is noteworthy that the Reliance Foundation, under Ambani’s direction, led from the front in supporting India’s fight against the pandemic.
Tigin Thomas,
On email.
The intention of the NMACC to make art accessible to all Indians needs to be appreciated. The expensive structure, design and collection of items at the cultural centre speak volumes about the meticulous planning and execution done by Ambani’s team. By virtue of its location, the NMACC would pave the way for the upper middle class and rich to hang out together. If similar concepts are brought to each region of the country, it would help talented young people to sharpen and showcase their skills and talents in the field of art, including dancing, acting, singing and painting. It will also help them reach to a wider section of people.
R.V. Baskaran,
On email.
Thanks, but no thanks
It is high time the electorate of India realises that the true cost of freebies is to hand over the reins to a person who is not best suited for the job. And once in power, he or she will ignore the real needs of society (‘Powerdrive’, May 14).
I don’t want to wait for the Supreme Court or the Election Commission to say no to freebies.
Dear leaders of the Congress and the BJP, thanks, but I don’t want revdi and kullad.
Kaushik Bhar,
On email.
Not against Muslims
Swara Bhasker has dismissed The Kerala Story as full of lies, bogus, and, sadly, has trivialised the sufferings of a section of women in Kerala (‘Bitter chocolate’, May 14).
The fact is whether it is 219 or 4,000 pandits who were either killed in Kashmir or fled from Kashmir, their sufferings remain. Bhasker should know well that there is certainly a grain of truth in these stories. So, there is no justification in trying to bury it and hold a victim card for Muslims.
Bhasker is uttering liberal platitudes. And there is no word of condemnation for religious fanatics and terrorists. By expressing such views, Bhasker has exhibited complete insensitivity to the sufferings of women in Kerala and Kashmiri pandits.
The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story are not against Muslims but against Islamist fundamentalism and terrorism. Armchair liberals and seculars like Bhasker will never understand the difference.
Vrajendu Bellary Bhimarao,
On email.
Changing attitudes
Your cover story on the world’s happiest country—Finland—was interesting (‘Happiness Finn-tunned’, April 23). Happiness was of great interest to Indians.
I liked readers’ responses to the cover story.
Happiness, in my opinion, will elude our nation until we understand and appreciate the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. He made stupendous contributions towards opening the minds and gates of the upper caste communities in accepting the ‘untouchables’ and allowing them a respectable place in our society. This made the then lower castes to hold their heads high and challenge the oppression heaped upon them over centuries!
Guru Da Langar in gurudwaras brings about prosperity and happiness everywhere. Somehow, there has been a reversal in attitudes in some parts of the country. Abject poverty maybe creeping back in such places.
Mohanpal Sidhu,
On email.
Ambedkar and others
I liked your cover story on B.R. Ambedkar; he did a great job in drafting the Constitution, and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of backward sections of society (‘Reclaiming the redeemer’ January 29). But I feel in such a package there also needs to be stories about other people, who, like Ambedkar, worked for weaker sections.
Frankly, it was hard for me to read the whole story on Ambedkar. If some articles were about other people, who were like Ambedkar, it would have been more fun to read.
Bhaskar Gangwal,
On email.