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OP-ED SEPTEMBER 02, 2022 | The Indian Eye 14

Help to Pakistan, the last

Soviet leader & democracy

Views and opinions from the top commentators in Indian media

M Modi has offered to help
flood-devastated Pakistan and
Pthis is exactly what GoI should
do. Pakistan’s military-intelligence
complex is up to no good, but the
people of Pakistan need help. Large
swathes of northern, southern and
southwestern parts of Pakistan are
inundated. The death toll, already
over 1,100, is climbing, more than 33
million people have been affected
and early estimates put the damage
in excess of $10 billion. All of this has
compelled the UN to issue a flash ap-
peal for $160 million to help Pakistan
cope with the disaster. Worse, the
natural calamity comes at a particu-
larly trying time for Pakistan. After
the fall of the Imran Khan govern-
ment earlier this year, the new She-
hbaz Sharif dispensation is yet to find
its feet. Imran has been pushing for
fresh elections, and political instabil-
ity is growing. Pakistan’s economic Almost 30% of the land is under water due to heavy monsoon rains and melting of glaciers in Pakistan (Agencies)
troubles continue to pile up with high
energy prices straining its import ca-
pacity and annual inflation hitting tually, the Soviet Union would be was never kept. was not cognizant that India has
24.9% in July. forced into bankruptcy and the com- Gorbachev’s best obituaries are an inherent potential of strong cul-
Given this dire situation, India munist system would collapse. With sure to originate from the West for ture and values, a bond of thoughts
should seriously consider offering the help of Saudi Arabia, Reagan whom his legacy is about the disband- deeply embedded in mind and soul;
more than generous assistance to made the price of oil drop to $8 per ment of the CPSU and the disman- and that is — India is Mother of de-
Pakistan. Reportedly, discussions are barrel that drastically reduced the tling of the Soviet state. Hundreds of mocracy. And when those who have
already underway. Pakistan’s finance Soviet income, forcing Gorbachev billions of dollars worth state assets democracy pulsating in their minds
minister has said Islamabad is consid- to cut back on bankrolling allies that were transferred to the West in the walk with determination and resolve,
ering importing vegetables from India eventually led him to unilaterally dis- upheaval that followed the dissolu- it augurs doom for the most powerful
through the land route. New Delhi band the Warsaw Pact (much against tion of the Soviet Union. sultanates of the world. This Mother
shouldn’t hesitate. India has sent hu- the advice of Margaret Thatcher and of Democracy, our India has proven
manitarian aid to Afghanistan over- Francois Mitterand). -- M K Bhadrakumar, The Indian to all that we have this invaluable
Express
land via Pakistan this year. True, it was One thing led to another and on strength.”
Pakistan that had cut off all trade ties the basis of a verbal assurance from Mother of Democracy? This official interpretation gives
with India to protest the 2019 nullifi- the US, Gorbachev relented on the us an impression that democracy is
cation of Article 370 vis-à-vis Jammu unification of Germany. It is abso- he official celebration of Indi- an end in itself — an ideal that has
& Kashmir. But all that shouldn’t mat- lutely staggering that such an intel- an democracy, especially this to be cherished for its own sake. Al-
ter in this crisis. Sending medicines, ligent and erudite mind weaned on Tyear, seems to revolve around though Modi also talks about the re-
food and temporary shelters – the history and dialectics would end up a simple, plain, and straightforward sponsibility of a democracy to get rid
typical requirements of victims of nat- the way Gorbachev did. He passes narrative of an ongoing success. The of the political evils, such as dynasty
ural calamities – should be prioritised. into history as an epic tragic hero of phrase, world’s largest democracy, and nepotism, the idea of democracy
Sophoclean proportion. which emerged in the 1990s, is grad- in his framework is not envisaged as
-- Editorial, The Times of India
Of course, the West lionised him ually being replaced by a new and any kind of political instrument.
West and Gorbachev as a hero of our times. But in reali- more powerful expression, mother of -- Hilal Ahmed, The Telegraph (India)
ty, Russia was never allowed to enter democracy. Indian culture and values
o be sure, the West exploited the “common European home” that are described as ideal preconditions Every week, we look at what the top
Gorbachev’s plight. President he fantasised; his disarmament vi- for democracy to survive. commentators in the Indian media are
TReagan’s strategy to increase sion was abandoned by the US; the Narendra Modi also highlighted talking about and bring to you a slice
American military spending was promise to him that NATO would this fact in his Independence Day of their opinions and comments
predicated on the logic that, even- never expand eastward “by an inch” speech this year. He said: “The world

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