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	M A I L B A G	Thursday, December 31, 1998
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A devalued United Nations

APROPOS of the editorial " Clinton under trial" (Dec 21), the US-UK bombing of Iraq was nothing but Mr Clinton's effort to exploit a crisis to divert public attention from his impeachment imbroglio. With scant regard for the values of restraint, abstinence and morality, he follows the ideology of killing people for his "lofty goal" of ensuring the security of life to the world!

Mr Clinton has not only dimmed the image and stained the prestige of the While House but also devalued the UN and turned it into a helpless instrument in the hands of an arrogant bully.

His misuse of his office makes one wonder whether the people of America are so docile and irrational that anything opposed to their ideology (whims?) of dominance and exploitation sounds as violative of "human dignity and socio-cultural values." The bombardment of Iraq was without the explicit consent of the Security Council.

If these attacks on Iraq are not to be "the beginning of an end" for the UN, the world body must check the bullish tactics of a contemptuously arrogant member. The writing on the wall is clear. Let us not close our eyes to it.

VED GULIANI
Hisar

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‘Fire’ and ‘Meghdoot’

To all the Shiv Sainiks agitated over the movie ‘Fire’, my suggestion is to first read Kalidasa's ‘Meghdoot’ carefully.

Secondly, I ask them to investigate the cult of Yellamma and the origin of it.

JAGDEEP K. SANDHU
Bathinda Cantt

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Open governance

The views expressed by Mr M.G. Devasahayam in his article, "Open governance", are too good to be neglected. Being formerly an IAS officer, he knows the deeper and finer aspects of the Indian administration, along with its shortcomings. And his views and suggestions can be understood only by those who are serious about the country's future.

If we compare our politicians and the whole political system with that in the past we find that it has gone far below its level and reputation. With growing corruption and the lure to come to power, the real motto of the country's development has got a setback.

Being the citizens of this democratic country, we can make or mar its future. The youth of this country has to shoulder the responsibility of taking it into the next millennium. But the majority of the younger generation hasn't released this so far.

The need of the hour is to come together and join hands to change the present system. Let us do something before it is too late.

AMIT VYAS
Chandigarh

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Civil Services exams

It is heartening to note that the Government of India has raised the upper age limit for recruitment through the Civil Services examination , 1999, from 28 to 30 years (Dec 25).

The decision of the government is in consonance with the aspirations of the candidates who are to go in for the Civil Services examination.

As the implementation of the order will be effective from April 1, 1999, there are apprehensions that the government has left a lacuna of not notifying the chances to be attempted by the students who have attained the age of 28 years.

During January, 1978, the age limit for the Civil Services examinations was raised from 26 years to 28 and consequently the chances to be availed/attempted were raised from three to four. In 1986 the Yashpal Committee had also recommended that the chances for the candidates be raised from four to five.

It would, therefore, be worthwhile if the government extends the chances from four to five to the candidates, as raising the age limit from 28 to 30 years will not benefit a large number of candidates who have attained the age of 28 years and have exhausted four attempts.

The past practice is that while raising the age limit, the government has also been invariably increasing the number of attempts.

SAT PAL SHARMA
Patiala

Controlling one's anger

This refers to news-item "Sentenced to die over Rs 20" (Dec 24). An old man killed three members of a family in a fit of anger over a dispute involving a paltry sum of Rs 20. What a tragedy! Truly has it been said: "Anger is half-insanity."

In this regard, I may say that a man is a man only so long as he is in complete control of himself. Just as an automobile is useless without brakes and is dangerous for life, similarly, a man without self-control is prone to many pitfalls. In a fit of rage, he can walk out of his home or turn out his wife from his home. A few words spoken in anger to a friend may result not only in the loss of years of friendship but also make a dear friend a sworn enemy. Exchange of a few hot words may lead to a verbal quarrel which may in turn lead to a physical fight resulting in someone's death.

An aspirant of controlling his anger must guard against pretending to be angry. When a person pretends to be angry, his pretension is not known to the other person with whom he is acting angrily. Seeing him angry, the other person gives him a similar response. In the process, the pretension is forgotten and he starts behaving actually angrily.

During conversation, one should watch one's words that one speaks. Words are not playthings. Every word is a symbol of some thought. A harsh word spoken charged with the emotion of anger pierces the heart of the person to whom it is spoken like a bullet fired from a gun.

Getting along with other people means treating them as our equals. Conversation should be an exchange of thoughts and information in a friendly atmosphere. Our thoughts are very much affected by the kind of words we say. We cannot be angry and also at peace with ourselves at the same time.

If we are irritated by the unkind words of someone, we should not make the object of our irritation as the subject of our discussion with everyone any anyone. For every repetition of narration of that event will make us relive that unpleasant experience which will simply add to our misery and sorrow.

If we hold the ideas of cheerfulness, confidence, gratitude and goodwill towards everybody and appreciate whatever is noble and loving in others, we shall be surprised to see how quickly our enemies become our well-wishers.

A.K. SURI
Chandigarh

Troubled railway pensioners

The Central government sanctioned medical allowance of Rs 100 per month to its pensioners from December 1997, as per the recommendation of the Fifth Pay Commission. The Railway and Defence Ministries were to issue separate orders. Subsequently, the Defence Ministry issued orders in July, 1998, for its pensioners for medical allowance, but they are not getting OPD treatment from the military hospitals.

In spite of writing again and again, the Railway Ministry has failed to issue an order for medical allowance. As a result, those who have not joined the RELHS, 1997 (Retired Employees Liberalised Health Scheme) are neither getting medical allowance nor medical treatment from the railway hospitals.

The Railway Ministry, while bringing the pensioners on a par with the serving employees during Mr Paswan's ministership, has not waived the condition of depositing the last one month's pay drawn. Instead of this, for the pre-1996 pensioners the ministry increased the amount to be deposited, the revised pay equalised by successive Pay Commissions — a pensioner retired in 1993 with a basic pay of Rs 2600 is now required to deposit Rs 8,100 plus Rs 10 per month since 1993 to join RELHS-1997, which is too high an amount and unjustified.

It is high time the Railway Ministry took into account the plight of its pensioners, and issued immediate orders for medical allowance and full reimbursement of hospitalisation expenses. As medicines are very costly to bear with something is better than nothing.

SHER SINGH
Ludhiana