Oppn needs to unite

The latest defeat of the BJP can have wider ramifications for national politics, especially in the run-up to the 2019 general election, besides the ensuing state elections of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka (‘SP-BSP hands BJP defeat in Yogi land’, March 15).  Under the Modi government, there has been an intensification of the neo-liberal capitalist exploitation of people and the secular, democratic framework of the Constitution has been eroded. Demonetisation and GST has undermined the federal structure, turning states into glorified municipalities. Hindutva extremist groups have targeted intellectuals, writers and journalists. Alarming unemployment and farmer suicides have led to discontentment and resentment among every section of society. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to oppose the BJP’s anti-people policies, pro-capitalist policies. This task can’t be carried out by any one political outfit, but by a determined opposition, leaving aside their differences. 

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SK Khosla, Chandigarh

More than a wake-up call 

The results of the UP-Bihar byelections, preceded by the hard-fought and barely-won Gujarat polls, and defeat in Rajasthan is not just a wake-up call but a clarion call for the Modi-Shah duo. The message is loud and clear: they should understand that a decimated and demoralised Congress and aspirations of regional satraps is not sufficient for electoral victory. Aspirations and issues of the masses, especially the middle class, are also crucial in electoral arithmetic. People have started rejecting the policy of ‘Nibor Dooh’ (reverse of Robin Hood), taking the nation from a sovereign republic to a subservient republic by the misuse of technology and letting loose an ad blitzkrieg. BJP strategists think that Indians are a tradable commodity, poor people can be bought with some freebies and promises of a plethora of benefits, and that the middle class will be swayed with ad blitzkrieg and corporates are their mainstay. Middle class feels squeezed by note ban, GST, bailouts for banks and constant surveillance of every aspect of life. People live under an atmosphere of fear. Aadhaar was introduced with the impression of creating a national identity, but has been reduced to a mechanism of intrusion. Channels of indirect corruption have been created — some much-talked like bank frauds and some unnoticed like Aadhaar. Corruption of billions of rupees is done in the name of Aadhaar. Its enrolment is free and updating fee is Rs 25 but almost all Aadhaar centres charge Rs 100 for everything. No fuss is created over this small amount, but crores of people are paying billions silently. Thousands of crores of rupees are collected under the garb of bank charges and bank money is siphoned off by corporates in the form of unrecoverable loans. Only 2019, will tell if the BJP will be able to cast its magic spell again, or people will give a fitting reply. 

Tirath Garg, Ferozepur City

Left must re-strategise 

Apropos the article ‘Left is dead, long live the Left’ (March 14); in this high competition between the saffron and red, the comrades have been cornered and are now forced to analyse their failings. Yechuri has retained his position and is seen in the image of the likes of P Sundarayya and Harkishan Singh Surjeet, apparently to map a future strategy. The CPM will have to make a sincere and concerted effort to regain their lost stronghold.

Pawan Kumar, Jind

Nobel desideratum

Refer to ‘A Brief History of Genius’ (March 15); it is an irony of  fate that despite contributing so much to the understanding of the mysteries of universe like black holes, Big Bang and quantum cosmology, Stephen Hawking could not be considered for Nobel Prize. Though Hawking’s theory of black holes being mortal has now been firmly accepted in theoretical physics,  yet due to its unverifiable nature, the genius stands deprived of the highest honour. The Swedish Academy has ignored the fact that exceptional cases warrant exceptional relaxations. Sadly, the conferring of Nobel to this colossal mind  remain only a desideratum!

CHANCHAL S  MANN, UNA

A true karmayogi

Words are not sufficient to salute the iconic hero-scientist Stephen Hawking, whose name itself can be termed an ‘inspiration at its best’. I don’t see any other person as big a positive thinker as he. He gave his 100 per cent throughout his life, even though 92 per cent of his body was not working. He described the most complicated thing — ‘the complete understanding of universe’ — as ‘my goal is simple!’ Though he denied the existence of God, he was on the same path of ‘discovering the truth’, as our rishi-munis and spiritual gurus. He was the best example of Lord Krishna’s theory: ‘Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kada chana’ , when he says ‘My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21—everything since then has been a bonus’. He truly was the conqueror.

Sukhwinder Pal Singh, SAMANA MANDI

Hawking inspires…

Expressing my grief on the death of legendary scientist Stephen Hawking, I would like to share his life’s teachings with everyone. His life has been an excellent example of expanding your limits and always wanting to gain more and more knowledge. Here are some of his quotes that continue to inspire —‘Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change. The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge’; ‘I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road’; ‘Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny’; ‘People won’t have time for you if you are always angry or complaining’; ‘Keeping an active mind has been vital to my survival, as has been maintaining a sense of humour’; ‘Obviously, because of my disability, I need assistance. But I have always tried to overcome the limitations of my condition and lead as full a life as possible. I have travelled the world, from the Antarctic to zero gravity’.

Harshdeep Singh, NOIDA

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