The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Tall leader

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Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Tall leader

Sir, — The article "Indira Gandhi-20 years on" (Oct. 30) was a fitting tribute to the iron lady of India. Despite her good intentions, many a time she was misunderstood. The Emergency might have been her cardinal sin but the fact that she herself called for elections in 1977 made her a tall leader. Patriotism was the hallmark of her character and personality.

K.M. George,
Muvattupuzha, Kerala

* * *

Sir, — Yes, she did commit the cardinal sin of imposing Emergency but she was also wise enough to call for elections. She gracefully accepted her defeat in 1977. There is no gainsaying that she was extremely concerned about the poor.

P.S. Sunil Kumar,
Bhubhaneshwar

* * *

Sir, — In the winter of 1979, I was standing at a paan shop in Rampur (Uttar Pradesh). The retailer was listening to the radio. At 8.15 p.m. there was an announcement that a report on the Shah Commission proceedings would be relayed from Delhi. (This had become almost a ritual.)

The paanwala swore and switched over to Vividh Bharati. And said: "We were angry with Indira Gandhi and so we put you (Janata) on the gaddi. You do nothing but expend all your energy in harassing the poor woman. It is time to teach you a lesson."

This explains why Indira Gandhi, who was routed in the 1977 general elections, bounced back with a thumping majority in 1980.

G. Gururaj,
Chennai

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