STRONG MESSAGE
RAHUL Gandhi has struck the right chord with the Indian expats in UAE by promising adequate representation in their manifesto for the upcoming polls. It is a strong indicator of how the Congress Party is evolving under his leadership (“Rahul vows parliament representation for NRIS,” Jan.12, The
Gulf Today).
Highlighting on UAE’S stride towards tolerance, the Nehru-gandhi family scion has succinctly put into perspective what India needs most and I am now more than convinced that the young president has come of age.
He has been a butt of many jokes in the past. Bet the opposition will not have to wait long before the tables are turned. Irrespective of my personal political afiliations, it was a delight for me to hear him speak with such gusto. His message was crisp and should he continue with the same tempo, his party is on track to unseat the BJP. “Here you are commemorating The Year of Tolerance. I am sad to say that back home (in India) it is 4-1/2 years of intolerance.” He couldn’t have been
more honest.
But politics is a dirty game and probably it will take him some time to learn the ropes, but there is hope. Rajesh S By email
LOPSIDED STIPULATIONS
THE West suffers racial problems and the countries of Asia suffer caste problems. The problem is the same, albeit known by different names. The underlying theme is inequality of course. And the whole world suffers from gender inequality (“What’s DNA got to do with it?” Jan.12, The Gulf Today).
It’s sad that the presidential candidate had to go to such lengths as take a DNA test to prove her ethnicity. But even if she did have black roots, why should that matter at all? Does leadership depend on one’s ancestry? Doesn’t it depend on skills that would enable one to propel a nation towards progress? Education is important. Not race. And not caste.
It is important that the aspiring leader be of sane mind, be fair towards all communities of citizens, be secular, look towards the welfare of the citizens and not think of illing the coffers of the industrial sharks at the cost of citizens.
Caste and ethnicity don’t stand a chance when all the above criteria are fulilled. But of course, greed is on everyone’s mind and it is weird that many nations today are run by draconian leaders.
Christopher Farrow
By email