Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Sardar Patel’s legacy” (October 31). Modern-day politicians should check their facts before going public. They should dwell deeply on what the icons of the past stood for, and how relevant their works are to modern-day society. At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that it is futile to invoke the names of leaders of a totally different generation. They cannot be used as handy tools to browbeat opponents in today’s murky political game. However, if their lives and times can inspire us, it’s well and good. Otherwise, it is prudent to leave them alone. In other words, their ideas, not their names, should inspire us. It is important to understand that men like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru are nobody’s sole property. They are the prides of the nation.