What They Said

I refer to your second ‘Open letter to Prime Minister Modi,’ published in the latest issue of "Issues & Concerns". (Jan ’16)

As is your wont, you wield your pen with great aplomb and to great effect. But I am afraid I do not agree with the issues raised or judgments drawn therein. Well, I do concede that you have fairly and objectively pointed out his positive qualities and statements as also his statesmen like conduct on many occasions. I also appreciate the fact that Issues & Concerns has no hidden agenda and is entirely motivated by a desire to raise issues relevant to the society we live in. But at the end of the day the question that needs to be answered is, whether the prime minister of a country (that too of the world’s largest constitutional democracy) should be judged by the electorate, the constitution and the judiciary, on the one hand or, by media and sundry disgruntled elements raising a cacophony in search of vote banks, on the other.  Mr Modi is one of the very few, who has submitted himself to the most rigorous scrutiny of the electorate and the judicial process and come clean. In my sixty plus years, he is the finest Prime Minister India has seen. Well, one can always argue that the best is not good enough. The only crime which he could be accused of is that of being a workaholic, fired by a vision of taking all Indians to a much higher and happier level! Unfortunately, many of us do not or, choose not to appreciate what he is doing and what he has already achieved despite the limitations imposed by a fractious democracy. I for one, remain an  unabashed admirer of the Chaiwala from Gujarat. Well, my opinion may count for little. But as Milton has said, "Those also serve who only stand and wait".

                                                                  Norbert M Shenoy, Mangalooru, via-email

Your open letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi published in I&C of January 2016 issue is an excellent piece of writing. You have rightly pointed out as to how he managed to come to power with pre poll promises of improving the living standards of people of India, and how he failed to fulfill the promises during the period of his rule till now. This letter should be an eye opener for him. Of course it is too short a time period for Mr. Modi to show marked improvement in the governance when it was not done for the past 68 years. Mr. Modi with his honesty, sincerity, clean image and capacity for hard work, we hope he will overcome all the hurdles and will be able to steer our country forward during the remaining period of his term.

I congratulate I&C for successfully completing 15 years of its publication and stepping to 16th year. Over the years the quality of articles published, the quality of printing and the design of front cover have improved tremendously.        

K.S.Thammaiah, Surathkal, Via-email

“An open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi” (I&C- Jan 16)

This is a daring & straight forward modern journalism and have shown that you are not a hypocrite. Our nation needs writers like you. Continue your good efforts. S.M Suvarna, Udupi

Brilliant beginning of January issue with PM Modi – first fist – up!

Your editional crisp and clear on issues and GDP.

‘Issues’ on Salman Khan, reminding times of Emergency by Indira Gandhi caught my eyes in particular.

Devadasi system hurts, all said and done ‘MAN MANAGEMENT’ is always at it worse. Monkey mind triggers mad mad world. Open letter to PM Modi has mixed marks.

All said and done ‘TIME TELLS EVERYTHING’.

WAIT & WATCH, WORLD WILL LOOK AT US WITH RAISED EYE BROWS.   

                            Dr. J.N. Bhat,  Mangalooru

I read your last issue (Jan'16) and found it very interesting. It covered most of the issues the country faced.  The Month-in-Perspective, covered  most relevent issues in the country. The pay commission and its implementation is a matter for introspection for the government as well as the people themselves. The subject of Devadasis is a century old exploitation practice by the upper caste, which has escaped all the legislative controls because of the controllers being the exploiters. The hypocritical English media controlled by the exploiting class has systematically dealt with it in the inner pages till now. Your crusade against these issues and concerns will certainly bring some change in the society. The Salman case, is a mockery of our judicial system. Our judiciary is only limited to interpret half bred legislation rather than delivering justice.

An open letter to the Prime Minister is frank and straightforward evaluation of the BJP government and specifically our dynamic Prime Minister. The comparison between the promises and implementation is true to its content. Continuing from the editorial of year at a glance, the magazine has been able to effectively highlight the shortcomings of the government. The hopes of the 120 crore people is put to test under the present government. The few good things implemented get washed away with the religious fundamentalism of few members. The intolerance debate, has been spoiler for the government. A letter, which the Prime Minister should take note off-to introspect and correct the course to take India to the promised height.                                                       

 Vidyadar Durgekar, Author, via email

 

Open Letter to PM Narendra Modi (I&C Jan) Good one, but some places I am not in agreement with you.                                              Prof. BM Hegde, Former V.C Manipal University, Via email

Open Letter to PM Narendra Modi (I&C Jan) Very balanced. Hope opposition will not use it.                                                             Dr. Ravishankar Rao, Mangala Gangothri

Open Letter to PM Narendra Modi (I&C Jan) Sensible and sound.                                                    

Dr. Satish Rao, Nitte University, Mangalooru

 

Open Letter to PM Narendra Modi (I&C Jan) I agree to most of your article. Good advice.                                         P Kishore Rao, Mangalooru via-FB

Open Letter to PM Narendra Modi (I&C Jan) You have given nice and comprehensive perspective on the present political scenario.                                        Captn Virendranath , MangalooruVia  FB

Open Letter to PM Narendra Modi (I&C Jan) Wow..great..article..  Truely a "wake up call" to our Namo sir...                                                                               Mohidin Kunhi, MangalooruVia

Open Letter to PM Narendra Modi (I&C Jan)

Mind blowing and at the same time mind boggling article. Hope Modiji would be able to understand the meaning between the lines and gets recharged to look within India more than outside India in coming days. To me he looks like the last "Man of Goodhope" for building a New India.                                                                                                                      Prakash Naik, Muscat, Via FB

I am assuming that you want him to read or be appraised of the "Open Letter". Otherwise it is just an editorial for the readership and that would be then end of it.

The key objective is that for the sake of India, we want him to succeed, despite his past and his shortcomings. 

The letter has many good points. However the style of writing, parts of which is cynical and sarcastic, detracts from achieving the goal.

The advise on what he should do or not do comes across as patronizing. There are more mature and formal ways of conveying the same intent by focusing on the problem that needs to be addressed without providing advice.

All in all I do not approve of your Open Letter. You are capable of doing a lot better.

Rajan Shashtri, Karwar, Via email

I’m truly impressed by your “An open letter to PM", through which you have touched the burning problem of malnutrition, child labour, child mortality and unhealthy children of our country. I do agree with you that he has unceremoniously  dumped great leaders like L.K Advani, M.M Joshi and Yashwant Sinha. Narendra Modi is a great Marketing Manager, thus it is rightly said that “Ooper Sherwaani- Andhar Pareshaani”. In brief this unique letter is worth preserving and it should be an eye-opener to our P.M and he must act accordingly to the betterment of the party, himself and betterment of the nation.                                                                                       K.K Kanchan, Kundapur

Thank you for the very informative and well articulated Focus. (I&C- Jan'16)

You have praised- criticized-advised PM Modi. Fine. But to some extent you are mistaken, aren’t you?. “I know better” this suits Kejrival who is impudent, not Modi, who has been humble. You also said he should build friendship with Kejrival for the national good. But he didn’t, he won’t. That’s why we people appreciate him. He knows where to keep the broomstick, why it is used for? He doesn’t need to have friendship with Kejriwal.

First of we should not be prejudiced. I hope you have read “Amrita University students take part in building toilets in some parts of India. When foreigners can take such initiative, why can’t we?  why are we not ready, why don’t we come out and help others? Yes we are selfish, greedy, we just think about our family and least bothered about the under privileged. 

Hence we have to join our hands too instead of simply criticizing Modi for each and everything. He is not omniscient. Don’t worry, good days are ahead.       

                                                                                           Chaithra Padukone, Nitte, via email

This mail is with reference to 'An open letter to the  PM'. Many of the points raised by you in your letter has been in the print media  and discussed on the Media  for a long time. I feel it is waste of print material to rake it up once again. As an editor I feel that this letter should not have been published. The letter has to focus on the implementation of all the central schemes by  each state and the reach. I feel as an editor the basic principle to discuss and bring out the statistics of each   scheme. I feel let down reading your article as it is not of any significance to the main vision of your issues. The letter reflects the lack of idea and the depth in serious issue to discuss national Issues.                                                                                                        Prof. Raj Mohan, Surathkal,via email

Sir,

Thanks for taking time to write to us. I&C only highlights those issues which main stream media have forgotten to persist with. I&C believes, issues of relevance has to be kept alive for those concerned to take the call. Your response betrays a certain degree of ideological disappointment. Kindly refer to feedbacks from other readers. Our CONCERNS are only ISSUES. I&C is a movement, where all are welcome to participate, including you. If evolution has to be revolution all should join the effort. You are welcome to participate.                                                                                                                                                                -EDITOR