M A I L B A G

The beginning of Nehru dynasty

THIS refers to Khushwant Singh’s “Bose smart Nehru smarter,” (Saturday Extra, Oct 9). The relationship between Gandhiji and Bose soured when during the Non-cooperation Movement, Gandhiji suddenly called the movement off when 19 policemen were killed at Chauri Chaura. Calling off the movement, when it was at its peak, made Bose furious. To him, this unilateral action of retreat was “nothing short of a national disaster”. Though Nehru, too, felt dismayed, he soon changed his opinion, as did Rajaji.

The fire of patriotism burned in Bose so fiercely that he would not compromise even with Gandhiji. Therefore, instead of succumbing to pressure, he preferred to leave the Congress, and formed his Forward Bloc. Eventually, he embarked on the most stirring adventure of that epic struggle with a dramatic escape to Russia, Germany and finally Japan, and formed the Indian National Army (INA) to liberate India from the foreign yoke.

Deepak Tandon, Panchkula

II

Had Bose been on the political dais on the midnight of August 15, 1947, the situation would have been altogether different. The writer has written on the assumption that if Bose had not had the fatal accident, he would have replaced Nehru. It was the weakness of Gandhiji who favoured Nehru and not Patel to pass on the mantle of leadership, for reasons best known to him.

Nachhattar Singh, Odhan, Sirsa

Misuse of POTA This refers to the “Law and Justice” by Rashme Sehgal (Spectrum, Sept 19). The writer, while highlighting the misuse of POTA, has given the painful stories of innocent girls booked under POTA on the allegation that they provided food or shelter to militants. Take the case of Gujarat riots. It has not yet been finally proved as to who set the train bogie on fire. Yet, in retaliation, some were burnt alive and others from the minority community done to death. Strangely, a number of persons from the community were booked under POTA but none from the majority. Vaiko, MDMK MP, was dragged from his house at midnight and booked under POTA on the charge that he had supported the LTTE at a public meeting. It has been a wise decision to scrap the barbaric law. Maj Narinder Singh Jallo (retd), Mohali

Keep readers in mind

In the Spectrum (Oct 17) an article on Pran was carried. A similar article on him appeared only a couple of months ago. Focus on different themes such as art, religion, traditions and historical places as well as important persons in different fields is commendable. However, repeating not-so-demanding issues so soon deprives the readers of more readable fare.

Baldev Singh, Ambala Cantt

Mulk Raj Anand

Ashwini Bhatnagar’s “A pure flame, sincere and human” (Spectrum, Oct 10) is a heart-felt salute to Mulk Raj Anand. He, along with Raja Rao and R.K. Narayan, forms the trinity that laid the foundation of Indian novels in English. Raja Rao may claim to tower over them with his philosophical dimensions but Anand, with his epic scope and socially relevant themes, was a multifaceted writer with a distinctive appeal. His vast storehouse of fiction reveals the passion of a social reformer and the zeal of a missionary.

Comparing him to the ‘Universal Man’ of Tagore, as the writer does, is stretching the comparison too far.

Surjeet Mann, Sangrur

Memories of Lahore

Kedar Nath Sharma in “Memories of Lahore” (Spectrum, Oct 17) has quoted a Persian couplet Bar mazare, ma gariban .... on the dilapidated grave of Noorjahan. But the Urdu rendering of this Persian couplet given by him is incomplete and incorrect.

Ved Guliani, Hisar

Keep it up

I want to congratulate you for drawing public attention towards our wildlife. The photographs published in Spectrum (Oct 10) are very good. Do not stop with the wildlife week but keep publishing articles on nature and wildlife.

Shaveta Kohli, Hoshiarpur

Sholay’s Karishma

This refers to V. Gangadhar’s “Sholay still sets the screen ablaze” (Spectrum, Aug 29). Filmi dialogues have been popular among the viewers even before Sholay. For example, the dialogue Ek raja jaise doosre raja ke saath salook karta hai from Sohrab Modi’s classic Sikander is unforgettable. Equally memorable is the Emperor’s dialogue in K. Asif’s “Mughal-e-Azam,” Anarkali Salim tumhe marne nahi dega aur hum tumhe jeene nahi denge.

Sanjeev Kumar had recommended the name of Amjad Khan to Sippy for the role of Gabbar in “Sholay” because both of them had earlier worked in K. Asif’s “Love & God”. Though the narrative of “Sholay” was simple and straight, the way in which the flashback brings forth the story made the film very interesting. The sequence of violence and romance was well-knit in the story.

C.R. JINDAL, Chandigarh

Endangered City

The three articles “Heritage at Risk” (Spectrum, Aug 22), “Ale and Hearty” (Saturday Extra, Aug 7), and “Call of Cash” (Saturday Extra, Sept 4) add up together to show how the well-planned and beautiful city of Chandigarh is becoming the garh of undesirable activities.

The people need to be vigilant and suggest remedial measures at the earliest to prevent any further damage to the reputation of the city.

R.N. PAL, Hisar