Fair play

Fair play

This refers to 'India find turn cuts both ways' (IE, November 26). Mahendra Singh Dhoni asked for a pitch that turned on the first day itself, that too when the Indian team batted. What added to the humiliation was not the Mumbai Test defeat per se, but that the defeat came even after India used tactics such as denying England spin practice, asking for rank turners and then playing three spinners. Our cricketers should realise that it is not only the pitch, but also determination and hard work that wins matches. For inspiration, they should recall the Perth Test of 2008, which India won in the most adverse of situations.

— Arvind Renge, Aurangabad

Two faces of Thackeray

IN HIS column 'National Interest: Through his wine glass, darkly' (IE, November 24 ), Shekhar Gupta puts forth a very interesting question: "Was Balasaheb Thackeray a mass leader or a mafioso?" For over four decades, Thackeray dominated Maharashtra's political stage, earning both praise and criticism. With his biting, though crude sense of humour, Thackeray courted controversy instead of trying to foster peace among different communities. As the writer perceptively points out, "Even in a political pantheon filled with regional and ethnic leaders, he was the only one to be purely parochial."

— Dilbag Rai

Chandigarh

Time to party

A NEW party entered Indian politics last week ('Arvind Kejriwal's party named "Aam Admi Party"', IE, November 24). The Aam Aadmi Party (Aap) may not have a revolutionary impact, but it may contribute to a pragmatic summer in which corruption will be the focus. It will at least introduce a new contender in electoral politics. As a political party, Aap must convince the aam aadmi that it will keep his interests on the top of its agenda. Thus far, people have viewed Kejriwal and other leaders of the India Against Corruption movement as activists. Now, since they are going to contest elections to Parliament as the Aam Aadmi Party, they must demonstrate their support for the Indian Constitution.

... contd.

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