Dear Editor, A very recent newspaper report about the Minister of State for Communication and IT informing PTI that the Government was considering issuing stamps on young achievers in various fields who have made the nation proud is a matter of some concern for the citizens. The names mentioned for the possible issuing of postage stamps were those of Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Sania Mirza, Harbhajan Singh and Remo Fernandes. This news is disturbing because it indicates a descent from mediocrity to debasement. These sportspersons and entertainers have been iconized by the media and given more credit than they actually deserve. Now the Government (we are informed) proposes to honour them with postage stamps in their honour while they are still alive. Why have other "achievers" been ignored? Have not businessmen and entrepreneurs like Ratan Tata, the young Ambani brothers, Azim Premji and others "made the nation proud"? Why have they been ignored? And what about our great economists and scientists who have propelled India into the international community of achievers? Names that immediately come to mind are those of Amartya Sen, Arundhati Roy, Medha Patkar, Surely, entertainers and sportspersons have contributed to the international image which India has achieved, but they certainly do not deserve commemorative postage stamps to honour their achievements. In the past, postage stamps carried the photographs of great persons only much after their demise. This was a laudable practice, and should not be abandoned. The honouring of some living achievers while ignoring others will only create bad blood and give rise to unnecessary controversies. This is one more example of the Government indulging in "foot in mouth" popularity seeking, while there are far more important matters to be considered.
Yours truly, Averthanus L. D'Souza, D-13, La Marvel Colony, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004. Tel: 2453628.
