I am extremely happy to go through the ‘Independence Day Special Issue’ of Organiser dated August 20, 2017 , which I would like to say is a collector’s issue. Every article in it is very well written which truly represents “Voice of the Nation”. Various topics on “Decolonising” are timely and erudite. I would like to mention here one among them: “Decolonising Language Discourse” by Prof. Ramesh C. Bhardwaj. He has used the Colonised word “Sanskrit” 15 times in his article. I have read hundreds of essays on “Sanskrit” running into hundreds of reels of paper eulogising the Dev Bhasha, the mother of all languages etc. but, I feel sorry to say, that nobody ever thought of “Decolonising” the word “Sanskrit” into its original form “Samskruta/Samskrutam! I hope it will not be out of place if I mention here that in Mysuru, a Samskruta paper by name Sudharma is published daily. Earlier, on its Masthead, they used to print: Sudharma, the only Sanskrit daily. I called on the editor and suggested why not print: Sudharma, the only SAMSKRUTA daily. He immediately accepted my suggestion and to my surprise from the very next day the Masthead was changed to Sudharma the only Samskruta daily. I was very happy. I am really proud that Organiser always uses Bharat instead of colonised word India. Similarly I am eager to see that Organiser start using Samskruta everywhere instead of the colonised word Sanskrit hereafter.
BV PRABHAKARA, Mysuru
Performance should be Priority
It is a fact that nothing is more regressive for India than its policy of reservations. Often an individual belonging to a backward class supersedes his privileged counterpart in the sphere of education or employment, despite having an inferior track record. In the process, not only does the criterion of eligibility get relegated in the background, but the pernicious practice also gives rise to a class of neo Brahmins. Social justice and equality cannot be achieved by such policies. Rather it gives rise to resentment and ill-feeling. Thanks to the easier path of entry to higher education or service, which remains the only contribution of reservations—more and more groups are demanding the privilege of quotas. Moreover, it is disgracing to note how dominant groups of much-hyped developed states are launching violent agitations to get enrolled as underprivileged. Actually, irrespective of caste affiliations, people deprived of proper education due to financial constraints should be given free access to schools, colleges and study materials. But this is where aid should end. Admission to higher education and employment should be based solely on merit viz percentage scored in relevant examinations, ranking in merit list or performance in interviews.
KAJAL CHATTERJEE , Kolkata
Be Patriotic, Don’t Display
On Independence Day, we remember the great sacrifices of our freedom fighters. India was a unique country in the world with intangible cultural and historical heritage from the days of the Vedas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The ‘acharyas’ travelled for nearly a thousand years in every part of the country to unify the sub-continent. However there seems to be no end to exploitation. India ranks among the top, as far as inequality is concerned. There have been talks about better governance but with zero action. With very little left to mark the celebrations, people seem to be enveloped in another maddening trance of patriotism that seems to symbolise nothing of real worth. Should patriotism should be displayed like this? Much more can be done with the energies of our youth. Instead, there is a propensity to create high-decibel commotion, the kind that triggers civic unrest, pollutes the air and encourages road rage. A German once remarked that we don’t show our patriotism by shouting that we are the best rather we just put the interest of our nation above ours. Maybe it is high time we learn a lesson or two from the Germans.
PADMINI RAGHAVENDRA, Secunderabad
Active Yogi
This refers to the article titled ‘Media trial subverts facts’ by Prashant Patel Umrao in Organiser. Those who criticise and condemn and even demand the resignation of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath for the death of 70 children infected with Japanese Encephalitis in Gorakhpur, should not contemptuously blame the Chief Minister, accusing him of complicity in death of these children. Is it the responsibility of the Chief Minister to stay in the hospital and watch the affected children? Adityanath has already taken stern action against those responsible against the grave tragedy.
M C SHARMA, Panki, Kanpur
Need for a Strong Action
Action by Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu was inevitable as nearly 22 passengers died and 156 had been injured. All that happened was totally due to the carelessness and non-collaboration. Punishment by suspension as a disciplinary action is still too mild and inappropriate for people responsible. Against such negligence, which lead to the loss of lives of our citizens is unpardonable. The Government should take more actions towards those responsible for this tragic accident. Guidelines should be adviced by the apex court to levy heavy penalty to these persons, as they are the invisible enemies within the system.
GULAB SHANKER SINGH, Lucknow
Ungrateful
Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari’s unprecedented and unpleasant remark at the last moment of his tenure is not only objectionable and condemnable but in larger perspective it is dangerous and divisive and even emboldening the perpetrators of jihad from across the border thus threatening the national security. It is agonising and unfortunate that even after acquiring such highly constitutional post and even after the trauma of Partition he is still propagating communalism instead of being grateful to this nation. Understandably after Congress being dethroned, the dominance of the so-called minorityism, has got a partial jolt.Mr Ansari groomed in Congress culture now while demitting the office reflected his mindset as Congress primarily playing the politics of so-called secularism i.e. enshrouding appeasement on communal lines. The assence of this secularism means persecution of majority manufactured concept of saffron terrorism and its exodus from Kashmir and many parts of the country. Further Mr Ansari has been making controversial gestures, reportedly even not saluting the national flag at a ceremony, his utterances even stoking communal fire, indirectly supporting secessionism and terrorism through his shrewd intellectual blend. Hence he should be booked and prosecuted accordingly for his utterances, threatening the national security and integrity as well.
DEVESH VERMA, Via Email
