It was indeed a pleasure to read Ramachandra Guha’s essay “Indians great, greater, greatest?” (July 21). It is futile to compare and rank the contributions made by men in different fields. Society progresses due to the collective contribution of many. The leader is nothing but a mirror of the collective thinking of the men behind him. I recall the famous poem The Mountain and the Squirrel by Ralph Waldo Emerson, in which the squirrel tells the mountain: “Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If I cannot carry forests on my back, Neither can you crack a nut.” No one is superior or inferior to another.
V. Raghavan,Hyderabad
The search for the greatest Indian since the Mahatma should be based neither on popular sentiments nor the perception of the so-called “experts.” It should be based on hard evidence. In my opinion, the greatest Indian is one who inspires people over a considerable period of time to move on a distinctive path towards progress. It could be a politician, a scientist or any other person. It is difficult to find someone as great as the Mahatma.
ADVERTISEMENT