APROPOS Irfan Husain`s article Downgrading the Taj` Nobody in India or on this planet can downgrade the Taj Mahal. It`s not only a symbol of love but one of the seven wonders of the New World. Further, India`s most popular tourist circuit is Golden Triangle that consists of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, India`s fastest train (Gatiman Express with 160kmph) runs between Delhi and Agra.

Regarding gifts to dignitaries, it`s purely for the guest whether he is a foreigner or a local. In India there are some reservations about accepting Taj Mahal`s miniature as a gift because it was a monument constructed after the death of Shajahan`s wife Mumtaz Mahal. But it doesn`t mean Indians won`t visit Taj Mahal. I have visited it thrice, though it is about 1600km from my place.

Nowadays a number of foreigners show interest in Indian culture. Hence, gifting Bhagavad Gita or Ramayana is not wrong. No Indian will forget the Mughal dynasty, Shershah Suri, Sultan Iltutmish, Razia Sultana and others. Unlike Ghauri and Ghaznavi these Muslim rulers settled in India and contributed to India`s development. Indians will not forget such rulers, as they live in in our hearts.

We are fond of Auragazeb also, though he collected Jazya from Hindus. There are many reasons why Aurangzeb inspired us.

He also jailed his father Shajahan for wasting public money on constructing Red Fort and Taj Mahal. He also wished to construct a black Taj Mahal on the other side of the River Yamuna and one can see the foundation. Aurangzeb used to earn his money for his expenditure. Therefore, till today have not changed cities named after Mughal emperors Shajahanpur and Aurangabad, for instance.

Emani Ravi Kumar Hyderabad, India