Letters to the Editor: Class and form

Class and form are two different aspects which are applicable to all. Now let us take the case of Virat Kohli, the former Team India skipper. After his midway departure from the last Down Under tour of Australia because of his impending parenthood, many cricket pundits across the nation mocked his early departure from Australia as paternity leave. He was trolled with memes on social media sites. Since then, Kohli's performances too dipped and our cricket pundits were about to write him off forever. But then suddenly came his priceless innings of 82 not out against our arch rival Pakistan in a high-volage match in the ongoing T20 World Cup at MCG. His former critics are heaping praises and singing peans. The whole of the nation erupted with volcanic joy. His priceless knock of 82 not out reminds us of Kapil Dev's unbeaten 175 against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. On both the occasions, Kapil's and Kohli's heroics with the bat made it possible for India to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Kohli's greatest comeback has once again proved that form is temporary whereas class is permanent. We the grassroots cricket fans of the nation wish King Kohli all the best and Team India many more victories in the T20 World Cup.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury

Guwahati

Festival of lights

Diwali or Dipawali is a festival of lights which is celebrated across the country with great joy and hapiness. The main reason behind the celebration of Diwali is that Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya from Lanka after 14 years of exile and after killing of Ravana in Lanka. This signifies the victory of light over darkness. Diwali is generally celebrated between mid-October to mid-November. It also symbolizes knowledge over ignorance. This festival is widely associated with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of power and prospereity, and Ganesha, the god of wisdom and remover of obstacles. Diwali as it is celebrated across worldwide, so it should be celebrated as Green Diwali. Because Green Diwali is most preferrable among all other methods rather than causing harm to wildlife creatures. Diwali festivities start by cleaning the house as the first major step, lightning of the diyas, and serving sweets among all neighbourhoods along with exchanging gifts. It is a major cultural event for the Sikh, Hindu and Jain community diaspora. The five-day long festival originated from the Indian sub-continent as mentioned in the early Sanskrit texts.

Manish Kashyap,

Guwahati.

Britain's first PM

of colour

What a coincidence! On the day of Diwali, a major Hindu festival, it became clear that Britain will get 42-year-old Rishi Sunak as its first Indian-origin Prime Minister (PM). As a devout Hindu, he is not only a regular at the temple where he was born in Southampton but also when he was made the finance minister of Britain, he did not shy away from embracing his heritage as Rishi Sunak took an oath by placing his hands on the Bhagavad Gita. Indians are jumping around after Rishi Sunak became the British PM. Much the same happened earlier when Kamala Harris became Vice President of the US, and many other top executives in various countries. But the big question, did they bring anything special for India?

They will act in the best interests of their nations and not act in India's interests. Here also the aam aadmi should agree that it is naïve to assume he will be friendly to India just because his roots are Indian. If not then through Sunak should we get back all stolen items (particularly Kohinoor) from British museums for any trade deal? India needs to be firm on it. Agree, these are of little value except historical or cultural importance to native countries.

The Washington Post emphasized Sunak's position as the first person of colour to be PM, and goes one step ahead to say that it would be "the first time in history that the residents of Downing Street are richer than those of Buckingham Palace". Truly, UK people have proved that a talented person, even from a micro minority community, can lead the grand old democratic nation - Britain! We should stop calling Rishi Sunak of Indian origin. Instead, like the US media seems to be doing, he ought to be referred to as the first person of color to be the PM.

Also, he is the first Asian and the first PM from the Indian subcontinent. We got to thank the Pakistani-origin politician Sajid Khan who threw his weight behind Rishi Sunak. It does not matter if Indian and Pakistani politicians do not see eye to eye, the Indian origin and Pakistani origin people in the UK ought to stay united, for this is what will serve them well.

Britain needs Rishi Sunak (one of the richest millionaire politicians, who grew up working in the shop, delivering medicines, or worked as a waiter at the Indian restaurant down the street) to succeed, and he can only do so by uniting under a broader umbrella.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee,

Faridabad.