All work and no play
Sir — Tourists often bemoan the life that they imagine people living in exotic and picturesque locales must lead. For instance, it is a common misconception that those who stay close to beaches live a life of leisure, sunning themselves by the turquoise sea or sipping cocktails on the golden sand. Nothing could be further from the truth. Great Blasket Island in Ireland, for example, is inviting people to come live the island life, which will include helping in the upkeep of the cottages on the island during the busy summer months, and running a café on the island. Life at a popular tourist spot is not about stopping to smell the roses. In fact, locals need to get their hands dirty so that tourists can lead a life of idyll on their vacation.
Sujit Naskar, Purulia
Absurd claim
Sir — The prime minister, Narendra Modi, is perhaps oblivious to the dignity of the post that he holds or has deliberately overlooked his constitutional role to proclaim himself as god’s ‘chosen one’ (“Modi exudes ‘divine directive’”, Jan 13). The prime ministerial office loses its value when he uses it to participate in religious rituals in public in order to impress the Hindu vote bank. His call to people to devote themselves to Lord Rama cannot eclipse the nation’s economic woes.
Jahar Saha, Calcutta
Sir — Narendra Modi seems to have no qualms about presenting himself as a messiah. Modi’s obsession with power has pushed him to claim that god has chosen him as an instrument to represent all Indians during the consecration of the Ram temple. However, the Congress’s refusal to attend the event has definitely disturbed him. He is thus using the ceremony to whip up communal sentiments. The four shankaracharyas have already refused to attend the event. Instead of trumpeting his ‘divine directive’, Modi should focus on promoting religion as a spiritual force of unity.
Ananda Dulal Ghosh, Howrah
Sir — The editorial, “New right” (Jan 16), quite aptly illustrates the dangerous times ahead for the nation. Every aspect of public life has been subsumed into the personality cult of Narendra Modi. Those occupying high constitutional offices are expected to respect time-honoured secular traditions, promote ideals of socio-economic development and be humble and dignified in their approach. Such ideas have clearly been abandoned. Open-minded, free-thinking citizens of the nation must awaken from their slumber and fight for their freedoms as well as a secular, peaceful and inclusive ethos. Otherwise, the day does not seem far when India shall descend into monarchical rule.
P.K. Sharma, Barnala, Punjab
Sir — “New right” is right to express apprehension about the role that religion plays in the lives of Indians. When a particular religion is favoured in a country, it divides citizens. This blinds policymakers to progressive ideals like equality and fraternity and leads to systemic discrimination and conflict. Some of our neighbouring countries have experienced the pitfalls of theocracy. After all, how could a leader supposedly chosen by god be held accountable by the people? That would be the death knell for democracy. Narendra Modi is an elected official; he should refrain from labelling himself as a ‘divine instrument’.
Sujit De, Calcutta
Sir — One is at a loss for words to explain why the prime minister has taken it upon himself to pose as an instrument of the divine to represent the nation and its citizens at the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple. Narendra Modi’s job is to govern; he should not don saffron robes and play the role of a high priest. The current dispensation is under the impression that the government belongs to the religious majority. But religion is a personal choice and should remain so.
Amit Brahmo, Calcutta
Still popular
Sir — In the United States of America, the Republican leader, Donald Trump, has been claiming that the 2020 election was stolen from him despite evidence to the contrary. Many die-hard Republicans have supported his outrageous claim. It is disheartening that a storied political party is now moulding itself into the likeness of this cavalier politician (“Voters give Trump big win in Iowa”, Jan 17). Buoyed by his win in the Republican caucus at Iowa, Trump’s spectre will hover over every Republican seeking office. The two-party system is proving increasingly ineffectual as time passes. American institutions are being sacrificed at the altar of the personal agenda of a capricious, self-aggrandising politician.
R. Narayanan, Navi Mumbai
Sir — The question about whether Donald Trump is on track to win the Republican nomination for presidency was answered by the voters of Iowa at the introductory caucus. The result is not surprising but is still noteworthy. Trump’s decisive victory was built on the back of his sustained popularity among working-class, rural voters and White evangelical Christians. The two groups that had lifted him to power eight years ago have now given him a commanding advantage before the polls.
Shovanlal Chakraborty, Calcutta
Sir — Given that America is the world’s largest economy with considerable military and strategic heft, especially in the West, the US presidential election always garners international attention. Now that the long election season has kicked off with the Iowa caucus, the race for the November polls is heating up. Despite his judicial troubles owing to a raft of criminal charges against him, the popularity of the former president, Donald Trump, has not waned among the Republican voters. He maintains a solid lead over the other two frontrunners.
M. Jeyaram, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu
