Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120354700800.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Tall leader

This refers to the editorial “V.P. Singh, 1931-2008” (Nov. 29). In the demise of V.P. Singh, I have lost a friend and the nation a champion of social justice and secularism. He was a gifted painter, poet and social activist. I met him first at an exhibition of his works at the Jahangir Art Gallery in Mumbai 15 years ago.

I worked for his Dialysis Forum to enforce by law the purity of water used in dialysis machines to match European standards. A man of indomitable spirit, Singh has left millions in gloom.

N. Hariharan,

Coimbatore

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In the demise of V.P. Singh, we have lost a statesman who was compassionate, humble and secular. He assiduously worked for the uplift of the weaker sections by implementing the Mandal Commission report. He made it possible for the backward classes to climb the ladder of social respectability.

M.A. Hakeem,

Hyderabad