Respecting our seniors
With the advancement of the space age, the internet era, and, of late, other latest technologies like AI, on one hand, while on the other hand, it seems the human bond of natural love and respect has gradually been depreciating to an extent. The fact is, we could very well find we are lacking in case of our attitude or behaviour towards our seniors, particularly those who are elderly. Everyone is busy nowadays, but still we are responsible to our society, particularly towards our senior citizens. If we observe, starting from our own home, grandfathers or grandmothers do not find the care, attention, or respect from us or from our children as they actually hoped for. This, I view, is not a healthy sign on the part of our behaviour or responsibility. Yes, I, you, and we all are responsible for such a negative trend. Nowadays, everyone is restless and does not have time for others, but is it the right track we are moving on? People during old age need support from the young. A word of love and respect shared with them becomes a panacea for them. They are not in a hunt for money or other materialistic wealth from us; the only thing they wish for is our sincere respect, quality time, and a little care. We should never forget a day will come when we will be taking their place, and we will experience the same sufferings. Let’s give it some thought and act for the good of all.
Anjanjyoti Patowary,
Rangiya
The sensible Prime Minister
There was nothing wrong in criticising Dr. Manmohan Singh or his policies, as a politician or economist, through the furnishing of logic and sane arguments.
But it was astonishing to see how his critics used to abuse him the most by mocking him as “Maunmohan,” invoking his relative silence! Is uttering rhetoric in the shrillest possible voice at the drop of a hat in public and ridiculing the opposition the main job of a Prime Minister?
Rather, any sensible Prime Minister would silently work behind closed doors or on camera in office, leaving his/her contribution to talk for himself/herself! And Manmohan Singh used to do this very thing with exceptional dignified silence as befitting his chair. When it should have been seen as a positive attribute of Singh as PM, this very quality of remaining “maun” acted as his political nemesis!
Though personally opposed to his policy of “economic liberalisation,” which has widened the rich-poor gap to a dreadful extent and dealt a fatal blow upon the poor and lower middle class, as far as civility, honesty, dignity, and humility are concerned, Singh was almost unparalleled.
In 2005, Dr. Singh was shown black flags and ridiculed by the Far Left student groups in Jawaharlal Nehru University when he made a visit there for a lecture. Far from unleashing state force to rein and nab them, the “dumb,” “dialogue-less” statesman exemplified his supreme sense of liberalism and tolerance by drawing inspiration from Voltaire and allowing them to exercise their right to express grievances, frustration, and independent opinion! As if that was not gracious enough, he had even insisted the then JNU Vice-Chancellor be lenient with the student activists who had booed the former! Only supremely confident souls can act so liberally.
Manmohan Singh, the supremely dignified person of impeccable secularism, deserves a warm salute. May more and more such “MAUN” leaders take the charge of this nation for the sake of the Constitution, secularism, democratic ethos, humanity, humility, civility, simplicity and that remains the earnest prayer of all true sensible Indians.
Kajal Chatterjee,
(kajal.chatterjee21@gmail.com)
On Manmohan Singh’s passing away
The news headline of your December 27 esteemed daily, ‘Manmohan Singh passes away,’ has saddened everyone. The former PM, popularly known as the architect of India’s economic reforms, served the country from 2004 to 2014. Dr. Manmohan Singh, who had a special attachment with the people of Assam as he represented the State in Rajya Sabha for 28 years, will be respectfully remembered. Coming from humble origins in post-partition India, Dr. Singh served the nation in several distinguished positions. As an economist of international fame, Dr. Singh played a pivotal role in pulling India from the brink of bankruptcy and ushered in an era of economic liberalization, which is believed to have changed the course of the country’s economic trajectory. The most striking quality of Dr. Saheb was his immense humility and simplicity combined with his intellectual prowess, who always gave a patient hearing and displayed a strong conviction towards social issues, but he never surrendered to the trappings of power. As Finance Minister, Dr. Singh left a strong imprint on India’s economic policy with his endless wisdom and integrity over the years. Today, the nation and the world mourn the sad demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh, whose legacy of unblemished political life and outstanding contributions to the field of economics and public services will inspire the generations to come.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Rest in Peace, Manmohan Singh
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure as Finance Minister in the early 1990s and later as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 introduced policies that continue to influence India’s growth.
He was considered the architect of key liberalising economic reforms, as premier from 2004-2014 and before that as Finance Minister. He was the best PM of India as of date. May his soul rest in peace.
Jubel D’Cruz,
Mumbai