Narendra Modi’s last Independence Day speech before the next general election was a politically significant one, both in terms of what he said and what he didn’t (“PM healthcare scheme from Sept. 25”, August 16). The Prime Minister harped on farmers’ distress, violence against women, and the condition of the marginalised. He also spoke of Muslim women and an “inclusive Constitution”. Thus he sought to blunt the Opposition’s campaign about how the NDA government is intolerant. Projecting himself as an impatient agent of change, he as usual castigated the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government by taking 2013 as the base year to measure the level of progress of the nation in the last four years. His speech was a report card of his government’s performance, but the Prime Minister knows that his government has to step up to challenges such as providing employment, which he mentioned but didn’t dwell on, and the falling rupee.
K. S. Jayatheertha,
Bengaluru
Floods in Kerala
The Kerala government has dealt with the unprecedented emergency, which has led to the loss of many lives, quite well (“Kerala reels under its worst floods”, August 16). If not for its efficiency, the casualties would have probably been much higher. Though the Centre has promised all possible help from its end, it would help if the catastrophe is declared a national calamity.
T.N. Venugopalan,
Kochi
