I must commend THE WEEK for dedicating a special issue to former prime minister Manmohan Singh (‘Silent, selfless, and strong’, January 12). He was a genius who was remarkably humble.
It is true that Singh was silent on some occasions when he could have been more assertive. But that was his nature. One can never question his vision or integrity. We were fortunate to have Singh as our prime minister for a decade.
Radha Pandey,
On email.
THE WEEK has paid a fitting tribute to former prime minister Singh by featuring him on its cover.
Contributions from M.K. Narayanan, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and others who worked closely with Singh, emphasise the strength of a quiet performer who remained steadfast in safeguarding the nation’s interests.
Singh was certainly a brilliant leader with a distinct stature.
His legacy is sure to be remembered kindly by history.
Suman Anand,
On email.
It was a pleasant surprise to see the special issue on Singh. No other news publication has covered him in the manner that you have. You have dedicated so many pages to the ‘quiet performer’.
The book excerpt from Strictly Personal: Manmohan & Gursharan by Daman Singh, their daughter, was interesting.
THE WEEK continues to live up to its tagline—Journalism With A Human Touch. Thank you.
Mahesh Joshi,
On email.
Singh and P.V. Narasimha Rao are the true unsung heroes of modern India’s economic transformation. Singh, with his expertise and vision, persuaded Rao to embrace economic liberalisation. Together, through decisive actions and bold reforms, they laid the foundation of a new India that today stands as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Vijay Navalyal,
On email.
Singh’s contributions to India’s economic transformation were pivotal. Through bold reforms, prudent fiscal policies, and a vision for fostering international partnerships, he laid the groundwork for India’s emergence as a global power.
His passing is an irrevocable loss, not only to Indian politics, but also to all who admired his humility, intellect, and unwavering dedication to the nation’s progress.
Sanjay Chopra,
On email.
The special issue on our former prime minister was truly wonderful. I read it one sitting, and wanted more. His calm and composed demeanour has touched countless hearts, and I have been a great admirer of him.
Thank you for dedicating this issue to Singh.
Banti Das Surin,
On email
Singh was a visionary who foresaw the future and served as the chief architect of India’s economic reforms, empowering the common man.
Ironically, the opposition and media, now singing his praises, were once his harshest critics, particularly in his second term as prime minister.
Biju C. Mathew,
On email.
Singh was truly a silent but great performer. He was admired and respected not only in India, but across the world. In the last decade, he faced undue criticism and abuse, but many remain unaware of the deep respect he commanded among global leaders.
During discussions on the India-US nuclear deal, as the agreement was about to be presented before the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, US president George W. Bush is known to have called Chinese president Hu Jintao at 2am to ensure the deal’s success. This highlights the recognition Singh received on the world stage.
May peace be with you, our beloved former prime minister.
Anil D. Gandhi,
On email.
Singh is one of the finest prime ministers India has ever had, letting his work speak for itself. His humility and grace are qualities from which the top leadership of the BJP could learn a great deal.
Pranav Gupta,
On email.
Let’s prosper together
The interview with Reem Al-Hashimy was truly an eye-opener, laden with previously unknown facts and personal insights (‘This is the closest India and the UAE have ever been’, January 5). The rapid growth in the economic and educational sectors of both countries reflects the strengths of our bilateral relationship.
Al-Hashimy entrusting her children’s health care to an Indian doctor exemplifies the deep bond and trust shared between our people. This partnership demonstrates that, together, we can achieve remarkable progress.
Sai Lokesh,
On email.
Roy’s liking for English
Your Anniversary Special Double Issue was interesting. One significant point that seems to be missing from the article (‘The tongue that turned’, December 29) is the contribution made by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the architect of modern India, to the decline of Sanskrit. In 1823, when the British decided to open a new Sanskrit college, Roy opposed the idea. He advocated for English education, highlighting its benefits.
In 1816, Roy opened a school for boys with English as the medium of instruction. He firmly believed that modern education was crucial for uplifting our society, which he saw as being backward.
Roy argued that Sanskrit colleges would only burden students with grammatical intricacies and metaphysical debates, which held little practical value for individuals or society. Despite being fluent in Sanskrit himself, Roy believed that, at a time when India was confronting modernity, Sanskrit education would not contribute to the country’s progress.
Sreemoy Ghose,
On email.