India, Nov. 28 -- Ahmed Patel's death is a colossal loss to Sonia Gandhi, who gives her confidence and mind to few. She trusted Ahmed Patel.

Jawaharlal Nehru was a great and good man. I hesitate to say so, but as External Affairs Minister he had many failings. From time to time he made amazing announcements. Here is an example. In a speech on "India's Foreign Policy" in the Constituent Assembly, on 4 December 1947, he actually made this astounding observation: "The first thing that an ambassador of ours has to learn is to shut his mouth and give up public or even private speaking. Yet this habit has to be developed and in private one has to be silent lest what one says injures the cause of the nation, creates international ill will." Eve...