Letters: The ultimate test

This refers to the editorial "Voting for expertise" (September 19). The editorial gives an impression that proving oneself in the electoral fray is the ultimate test of a person's calibre in a democracy. This argument, typically put forward by politicians, is self-serving at best and vacuous at worst. Is it that a well-meaning and capable person cannot contribute to the well-being of a democracy in any other way? For example, would it be the editorial's case that Nilekani's contribution as the chief executive officer of Infosys or for that matter, as the chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India doesn't count much compared to that of any minister? It is also not clear why the editorial is questioning the technocrats assuming positions of power on the basis of their knowledge and expertise.

Kishor Kulkarni Mumbai

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