Face the confusion

Sir — Meaning, like beauty, often lies in the eyes of the beholder. Nowhere is this more apt than in the case of emoticons. Apple is all set to introduce a “woozy face” emoji that is meant to signify an inebriated state. It is only a matter of time before people use that emoji for signifying anything but being drunk. The confusion regarding emojis is made worse by their visual difference across operating systems and social media platforms. For instance, the “confounded face” emoji is most commonly used to suggest stress or fear. Emojis have opened up a world of pain for users of technology.

Roshni Sen,

Calcutta

Irony or pride? Narendra Modi gazes at Sardar Patel's statue on after unveiling it on Wednesday. Twitter

Divided by unity

Sir — The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, keeps using Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as an excuse to make veiled attacks on the Congress. He said that he had no problem with his opponents abusing him, but they should not belittle personalities like Patel. Was Rahul Gandhi wrong in saying that India’s tallest statue has been made in China? The bronze cladding work on the Statue of Unity was done by Jiangxi Tongqing Metal Handicrafts. Why did Modi not think of clever turns of phrases like Make in India and Skill India while Patel’s statue was being built?

Further, it is ironical that while Modi says that people should not belittle personalities like Patel. It is he who started the trend by leaving no opportunity to speak ill of Jawaharlal Nehru, the architect of modern India. The trust and power that Nehru bestowed on Patel, his deputy, were immense. Can any cabinet colleague of Modi claim a similar privilege? Moreover, is not Modi belittling Patel when he claims at all possible places that nothing good happened for 70 years under the Congress? If this is true, then how was Patel a great leader? Patel was very much a part of the Congress in the years immediately after Independence.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,

Faridabad

Sir — Narendra Modi should be lauded for conceiving and executing the plan to erect the huge statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Ever since I was in school, I always wondered why Patel was awarded the country’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, only in 1991. The Grand Old Party and its politics are driven by the Nehru-Gandhi family, which has devoted itself to glorifying its own members. The family did not accord patel his due.

Hemant Kumar,

Ambala City, Haryana

Sir — I hope that Narendra Modi’s dream that the Statue of Unity will show foreign dignitaries who visit India the stature of the country and of the leaders it has produced comes true. But worryingly, India is also a country that foreigners and tourists are afraid of visiting. Reports of mob lynchings, rape and other terrible experiences have caused a splash in the foreign media. It is the responsibility of the citizens and the government to ensure that there is unity on the ground. This will change the image of India in the eyes of the world.

A. Zafar,

Mumbai

Sir — The view that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel did not receive his due is misplaced. In fact, it is the contributions of C. Rajagopalachari and V.P. Menon in unifying India that remain under-acknowledged. None can deny that Patel prevented the balkanization of India with a firm hand and foresight. But he could only achieve this with able assistance from Menon, who was the former’s troubleshooter. Menon tirelessly negotiated behind the scenes to get the princes and kings to sign the deed of accession.

Interestingly, Jawaharlal Nehru’s role in the freedom struggle has been described in detail by Menon. As much as it might suit the BJP, Nehru’s role in the formation of independent India cannot be diminished. Erasing Nehru’s imprint from the country is a tall order because he is part of modern India’s DNA.

H.N. Ramakrishna,

Bangalore

Sir — Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel grew up in very modest circumstances and yet went on to become a great man. He united the many indigenous territories that now make up India. The Statue of Unity will spread the message of the strength in staying together.

Devesh Kumar,

Giridih, Jharkhand