Agni-V catapults India into elite ICBM club (Organiser, 29.4.2012); The successful launch of the Agni 5 should be a matter of pride for every Indian. The nation congratulates the team of scientists at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) which has worked hard to make India a part of the elite club of nations that possess Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). India has now joined a selected group of nations possessing technology to design, develop and build long range missiles of this class and technological complexity. Now India is in the league of the US, Russia, China and France who have indigenous ICBMs. India should now strive to reduce its dependence on import of ordinary defence systems and move towards self-reliance in conventional weapon systems. The inclusion of the Agni 5 into our defence system has sent a clear message to the world that though India follows a ‘no first strike policy’ on using nuclear weapons, it is well prepared to take on its enemies if the need arise. On the other hand the launching of Shaheen-1A, a nuclear capable intermediate-range ballistic missile by Pakistan immediately after Agni 5 was launched, shows Pakistan’s jealous and kiddish behaviour towards India.
Mahesh Chandra Sharma, E-198, Panki, Kanpur
Modi means harmony, progress (Organiser, 11.3.2012); The learned writer Shri Arun Jaitley has righty said, “Any riot, be it inspired by religion, caste or any other frenzy leaves huge wounds behind.” On February 27, 2002, when the Sabarmati Express was put to flames by unruly mob at the Godhra Station resulting communal riots, it left behind many tragic stories. After the incident the Editor-in-Chief of IBN-CNN with his team of journalists went to Gujarat and interacted with effected people. The coverage was elaborately shown on TV channel. The scenes which I very anxiously watched are narrated here. First scene: An old man called Omergee, allegedly a mastermind of Godhra incident which took the life of 60 karsevaks, was sitting silently in a pensive mood and completely lost in himself. The person who responded to journalist probably was his son, who said with a grim face that whatever happened was sad and now they are tired of long drawn court cases. The lower court has already pronounced its verdict against the accused, which must be painful for their family members, too. Second scene: Qutabuddin Ansari, whose picture in extreme panic, begging for life with folded hands, seen in newspapers, looked happy, bright and content with his tailoring job. He reacted to the journalists by saying, that now no more and let Gujarat remain peaceful. Third scene: Zakia Jaffri, whose husband was charred to death during riots, was in tears while narrating her woes to journalists. Similar condition was also seen of another women of Gulburg Society who lost her family members. At the same time TV screen showed half a dozen old women in tears who lost their close relatives in burning of the Sabarmati Express episode. All these women whether Hindus or Muslims had same pathetic story to tell. On April 9 the court convicted 23 persons for carnage at ODE (Anand) The complainant Rafiq Khalifa said that the judgement is a lesson for every community. Perhaps the person who ignited the matchstick at the Godhra Station was not aware of the pain people would suffer due to his mischief. Though Gujarat is peaceful to day, but the so-called seculars, and Muslim intelligentsia are still for mischief to malign Modi and polarise the society. Therefore it is high time media should have words with Omarjee. He may like to speak the truth.
HS Mehtani, 89/7 East Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi: 26
Terrorism is dead but not the spirit of separatism (Organiser, 15.4.2012); This refers to the article titled ‘Terrorism is dead but not the spirit of separatism’ by Shyam Khosla in Organiser. I feel that the real problem is that there are two laws in India—one for the Sikhs the other for the rest. The CBI was fiercely demanding in the Chandigarh court the death penality for Rajoana. The same CBI was requesting the Delhi court to close the case against Jagdish Tytler the killer of the Sikhs in 1984. The Congress Government at Delhi has recommended for clemency to Kishori Lal, the butcher who killed seven Sikhs with his dagger on November 1984 Is this justice to the Sikhs ? What the writer has to say about this? As regards the so-called contempt of court the British imperialists imposed this law in India to stifle the public opinion. In Australia we have no contempt of court law. The media here freely crticises the judges and the courts. I did not expect this article in Organiser—my favourite weekly.
AMAR JIT SINGH GORAYA, 30 Gillmartin Dr Griffith NSW Australia: 2680
Another global crisis is brewing (Organiser, 25.3.2012); Dr Bharat Jhunjhunwala's article, ‘Another global crisis is brewing’ published in Organiser has revealed and analysed the weaknesses of the economies of the USA, the UK and the mainland Europe. This has lessons for India. The writer mentions that there was no worthwhile invented technology other than the internet on which the USA could bank upon. It lost its competitive edge because of high wages and resorts to outsourcing thereby depriving its citizens of employment. In India, because of decadal revision by Pay Commission, salaries of government employees increased enormously with the result that other semi-government and private organisations had to follow suit. I remember to have seen a TV discussion in 2006-07 in which a former chief secretary was a participant. According to him, there was no logic for these Pay Commissions to continue. The wages of government employees could be revised marginally and not drastically as was done by the 6th Pay Commission. Seeing this pay rise, Members of the Parliament did not lag behind to raise their own. This enormous pay rise impacted unbearably on vast section of population who had limited or no regular income. I am of the opinion that the Pay Commission need to be abolished to save India from becoming bankrupt.
SC PANDA, 1/2 HIG BDA Colony, Bhubaneswar: 751 016
Request to open your eyes It seems that the RSS has closed its eyes towards the deteriorating situation in the country politically as well as socially. Politically BJP has become rudderless and there is lack of leadership. The crisis of confidence of leadership, not announcing the UP chief ministerial candidate in UP elections was the main cause of drubbing it received in the UP elections. Similar is the condition at Central level. Why can’t the BJP announce its Prime Ministerial candidate right now as elections are round the corner and people vote for the party after seeing the leader of the party. BJP has become directionless since last few years and it is important that indisciplined and corrupt leaders are shown the door wihout fear of vote loss. Such an action would open the flood gates of votes to the party. There is much more to ponder and only a strong leadership can save the party and brighten up its chances to rule the nation in the forthcoming general elections held at any given time.
Dr TAPAS DAS, email:tapasdas21@gmail.com
What do you mean by Minority Educational Institutions? (Organiser, 6.5.2012); I am very happy to learn that the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of the Right to Education Act, 2009 which provides for free and compulsory education to children aged between six to 14 years and mandate all schools, including private schools to reserve 25 per cent seats for the poor. Also there will be no separate shifts for poor children and all students irrespective of their economic background will be imparted classroom teaching together. Apart from helping the poor children to pursue their academic dreams, this decision will hopefully give them a sense of belonging as well. This landmark judgements will help children from socio-economic background to pursue their academic dreams and also in improving the literacy rate of the country and thus help in nation building.
RITHA SAGAR, Chennai
Cauvery water dispute It is learnt in the recent past that Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has raised objections to Karnataka going ahead of building dam across Cauvery river at locations of Mekedattu, Shivasamudra, Rasimanal and Hogenakal(a stretch between KRS Dam and Cooleron Anicut, within the territory of Karnataka State.) She has demand that Karnataka needs to take Tamil Nadu’s nod for the same.She has further urged that since Karnataka has filed an petition against final verdict of Cauvery Tribunal, no projects should be taken up by Karnataka, untill the matter is resolved.In that case why was drinking water project was taken up at Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu, encroaching into Karnataka’s territory illegally, with Central Government being a silent spectator without taking any appropriate action. We wish to ask on what constitutional basis the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa is putting such demands.We need to take permission from Central Government and not from her or her government.This clearly reflects her and her government’s adamantness, non-cooperation and lack of brotherhood with the countrymen. It should be learnt and understood that there is a huge potentiality of hydro-electricity power in the stretch between KRS Dam and Cooleron Anicut within the territory of Karnataka State.This will help overcome power crisis of Karnataka State in a big way, since Hydro-Electricity is the prime source of power in the State. The surplus water thus stored in those intermediate dams can be utilised for drinking purposes in Bengaluru city and adjoining districts also. We the people of Karnataka State appeal to the Central Government to restore needful justice to us in this regard and provide us the clearance to go ahead with intermediate Dams between KRS Dam and Cooleron Aincut,within the territory of Karnataka State.
SETURAM ASPARI, email:asparam@rediffmail.com
No messiah for Hindus in Pakistan During the in camera formal meeting between Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari held on April 8, why India did not raise the matter of grave concern like persecution on minority Hindus in Pakistan and also release of Sarbajit Singh who has been languishing in Pakistan jail since more than two decades. It is a clear indication of the luke warm policy of Congress towards the minority Hindus in Pakistan.
SRIDHAR V KULKARNI, Kalyan (West) Maharashtra
UPA only looks after the grievances of minorities A section of the English press appears to be confused about the prompt reaction shown by the Indian government to the SRK episode and their lackadaisical attitude towards the six years long detention of Vikram Buddhi in the USA. This section of the media should have known the reason, viz. the difference of religions between the two personalities involved. The ruling UPA II dispensation, being devoutly wedded to the sacrosanct principle of “secularism”, is expected only to look into the grievances affecting the minority community members from India. The same logic holds good for the Sarbajit case from Pakistan too.
Vineet Phadtare, 56, Ashok Van, MG Road, Borivali (East), Mumbai: 400 092
Maoist’s real face exposed The abduction of Sukma district Collector Alex Paul Menon who was involved in lot of welfare projects for the tribes by the Maoists in Chhattisgarh has once again exposed their real face. Maoists who claim to be fighting for the impoverished tribes are actually harming them by resorting to such dirty tricks. Further I fail to understand that why the Central and State governments with so much resources, well-trained paramilitary and police forces at their disposal have not been able to check the Naxal menace. It only shows their lack of will to fight and also a severe lack of co-ordination among various agencies and the differences between the Centre and the states.
Bibhu Dutt Patel, Odisha
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