Bharat is the accurate name

WITH reference to the letter “India name change divisive” (POST, September 20-24), the writer, T Markandan, is a poorly informed man masquerading as an expert on the subject of Bharat.

The writer has a modicum of knowledge on the subject matter, and this proves the adage that “a little knowledge is more dangerous than total ignorance”.

His letter is not only about the name change but also intended to belittle the world’s largest democracy, its people and its leaders.

The comparisons he makes about other name changes are laughable and childish, and he has the gall to speak of Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, as someone who “is window dressing, making cosmetic changes to satisfy his own ego”.

Has Markandan been to Bharat and seen the real changes made in the country?

Modi has taken Bharat from the 10th largest economy to the fifth largest in the world since he came to power in 2014.

We have witnessed the construction of hundreds of thousands of kilometres of new roads and railways.

Every day, millions more people are gaining access to clean drinking water.

Many millions have been lifted out of poverty. There have not only been dramatic improvements in infrastructure, the very psyches of the average Indian from all walks of life are now positive, energetic and confident.

The list is endless. And, of-course, let us not forget – no corruption.

At the international level, the Modi government has openly pursued the reformation of international financial institutions.

During the Covid pandemic, it was Bharat which provided vaccines to the poor countries while the rich countries were stockpiling theirs.

Bharat is the accurate name for India, and I have always used the name Bharat.

For someone who claims to be an informed commentator on global issues, to call all these achievements superficial and window dressing is more than mischievous.

He has a sinister agenda – to sow division, and he is playing to a specific audience in this country with whom he wishes to curry favour.

Continue writing, but stick to subjects you know something about.

K NAIDU Greenwood Park