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Congratulations

Congratulations to Barack Obama on clinching the Democratic nomination for U.S. President. Campaigning on a call for change, Mr. Obama clinched the nomination in a historic race that exposed deep racial and gender divisions within the party. The first African-American candidate to win a presidential nomination, Mr. Obama exceeded people’s expectations.

In an increasingly multi-racial U.S., the need to move beyond a near-exclusive white political class should be appreciated. The historical wound of slavery and the standing reproach of a black underclass in the richest and most powerful country prompt everyone to acknowledge the promise of transcendence that Mr. Obama’s candidacy holds out.

T. Marx,

Karaikal

K.M. Lakshmana Rao,

Visakhapatnam

The case of the former Pakistan Minister and human rights activist, Ansar Burney, being turned away from the Delhi airport despite possessing a valid visa is naturally causing commotion. But the readers should be made aware that this irresponsible practice has precedents.

On November 18, 2007 Dr. Subhangi Herath, a respected Sri Lankan academic, invited to attend a seminar on Women’s Studies at Aligarh, was sent back to Colombo from the Chennai airport despite holding a valid visa issued by our mission at Colombo (The Hindu, November 23, 2007). The Government of India did not issue any statement of regret. Nor did it compensate the scholar’s airfare.

Shireen Moosvi,

Director, Centre for Women’s Studies Aligarh Muslim University The embarrassment caused by the unceremonious deporting of a friendly human rights activist is too serious to be brushed aside. Given that he was in India six weeks ago and that he is well known in India for his dauntless efforts in trying to get Indians languishing in Pakistani jails released, the episode smacks of affront. That Mr. Burney has not taken umbrage and has renewed his promise to continue his work shows his commitment to human rights.

R. Sampath,

Chennai

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