Congress, USP
Sir: The Congress has lost many a time in the past General Elections. From the 1951-52 elections, crores of people voted for the Congress for the reason that it won India independence. That number steadily declined with each passing decade. The Congress was still more popular than the BJP. But, by 2019, hardly any voter will be left who will vote for the Congress. Its old history will no more be of any help to it. It needs a new USP but the party leadership is very complacent. The BJP, on the other hand, has of late been successful in capturing the imagination of the youth. Till 2009, the BJP was branded as a communal party and the Congress as the secular and inclusive party. Today, the BJP is seen as the party for the nation’s development and the Congress as one bereft of ideas. One cannot rebuild a party as long as it does not have a credible leadership. In fact, it would be a good idea to make some young leaders in charge and begin from scratch for 2019. By then, the BJP could be overconfident and the Congress could make a comeback. Old beaten solutions for a new India may not work for the Congress anymore.
Narendra Raut, Semiliguda, KORAPUT
Geelani, passport
Sir: The rejection of Syed Ali Geelani’s passport application by the Ministry of External Affairs was the logical and the only option available to the government. For someone who doesn’t even consider himself an Indian, Syeed Geelani has no locus standi demanding an Indian passport. He has made a career out of indulging in
seditious and anti-India activities and is a threat to the peace and security of this nation. This incident is another example of the hypocrisy and hollow ideology of those who profit from the continuing violence and unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. India can no longer afford to be a soft state wherein matters of national security are involved. Geelani and his supporters should know that passport is for patriots.
Manas Panda, Tulasipur, CUTTACK
Doctors, patients
Sir: The Centre’s move to convert district hospitals into medical colleges is a welcome step. Medical colleges are meant for the wellbeing of the patients but the medicos coming out from these colleges should keep their promises rather than inviting patients to their nursing homes for business. Doctors are considered equal to God, as they save precious lives. Nowadays, nursing home business is growing and along with that patients are fleeced too. The government is urged to make arrangements to supply advanced medical equipment to hospitals so that better facilities could be provided to people.
Chanchal Mishra, Sukha, SONEPUR