DISCUSSION 97 of reas»on and rationality, though couched in emotional and populist terms, is insensitive to the realtiy of social transformation and hence ahistorical. Even if Pandian does not accept class categories it would have been enlightening if he had spelt out what constitutes the elite vision of the past and future in colonial India. I would end by expressing my agreement with the quote from Tomas Borge. It reminded me of the last sentences of my review of Subaltern Studies Vol. I in EPW, 13 August 1983:'. . . let hundred flowers bloom; but let us take care to ensure that they bloom in their natural environment and not in imported hothouses'.