Date:02/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/02/stories/2008020255801004.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

An uncommon man

Of all the awards conferred on eminent persons, the most befitting, in my opinion, was the Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on the inimitable cartoonist of India, R.K. Laxman, at the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2007 awards function. For several decades, Mr. Laxman has been relentlessly waging a one-man war against corruption, hypocrisy, vanity and hollowness prevalent in society, notably in the political circles, with no trace of malice. His cartoons transcend barriers of language and geographical boundaries. They surpass many editorials in their punch.

Few will realise that the nation owes much to Mr. Laxman for guarding the spirit of democracy in this country. For that alone, he should have been given the nation’s highest civilian award long ago. We should salute the very uncommon and unpretentious man who holds high the flame of liberty, equality and freedom of speech.

C.N.N. Nair,

Mumbai