The Indian Express -- Expressions

This page contains Editorial and Op-Ed articles

Friday, August 15 1997

Letters to the Editor

The monolith cracks -- A culture of coalition must emerge

Comparison tends to be odious. The uninhibited expression of disgust and helplessness by Prime Minister I.K. Gujral is in jarring contrast to the note of confident optimism Jawaharlal Nehru struck in his "tryst with destiny" speech this day 50 years ago.

A redundant celebration -- Alone in eternal India

The academics of old had often wondered what the history of Rome and Egypt would have been if Cleopatra's nose had measured differently. Behind most of the great events are tiny, even despicable, motors of causation. Thus we see the epic and comic models walk hand in hand, and thanks to this disparity, step on each other's toes.

Defining the state of freedom

We are free when there are no restraints placed upon us -- other than those we place upon ourselves. That is the definition of "self-rule." Even Thomas Hobbes, whose writings are invoked by those who justify the statal behemoth, Leviathan, was a liberal said that "there are few so foolish that would not rather govern themselves than be governed by others".

Onward, without guilt -- Yehi hai right choice, India

Time out -- The human factor