M A I L B A G

Self-censorship is needed

DO we need a censor board only for the movies, to chip and chop objectionable scenes which hurt the sensibilities of women, children, religious and ethnic groups? Don’t we need a censor board for the television where in the name of entertainment a permanent sleaze show goes on? Don’t we need a censor board to screen the fashion shows and beauty pageants which go on in the small towns where every fly-by-night operator wants to conduct one such show roping in hopeful candidates who are ready to bare their figures? Don’t we need a censor board to check what parents are teaching their impressionable children both in terms of lifestyle and value inculcation?

It is time someone took stock and took corrective measures to stem the rot, which has crept stealthily into every sphere of our lives. A country which boasted of an ancient culture and a rich heritage is today shorn of all role models as the young and old ape what goes on in the name of media entertainment. VJs are aped, television serials are watched to find solutions to marriage conflicts and dilemmas and huge chunks of money spent on beauty treatments in order to look and feel good.

There is increasing abuse and intolerance within the family. The husband beats the wife, the mother thrashes the children, the daughter-in-law is rough with the old infirm in-laws. The entire situation is so opposed to what India used to be in the 60s, 70s or even as late as the early 80s. Even filmmakers are now turning to family oriented themes which propagate family values, togetherness, respect for elders and a Ramayan like culture thanks to movies like Hum Saath Saath Hain. The fact that films like these have met with an excellent audience response implies that they too are desirous of living in such a love filled harmonious atmosphere but do not know how to go about creating it.

Educational institutions must share the burden of the parents and go beyond the rigours of only academic or professional teaching. Moral values, humanitarian learning and an awareness of the past should be an integral part of the curriculum lest our children forget what being an Indian is all about. Parents have to go that extra mile in keeping their children firmly grounded in the real Indianness.

This does not mean making them wear salwar kameez or making them chant Vande Mataram or Sanskrit shlokas but developing the value system which the Indian of yesteryears possessed. A gentleness, a sense of universal brotherhood, a tolerance and acceptance of people of different faiths, non-violence, adherence to values like honesty and truth, respect for elders and the ability to take the righteous path in one’s onward march in life — these alone can give the India of tomorrow strength and hope. Families and societies have to co-exist in a harmonious manner. The media should be used to propagate these values and not suggest to housewives to have an affair if their marriage is not working. For it is only a disciplined well-cultured youth which can build a strong India. We all need to work out our own censor boards and sift the good information from the bad in the best interest of our children, the future torchbearers of our country.

M. L. KASHYAP
Kalka

NSE forecast

With the Budget month having commenced, and there being widespread expectation that the forthcoming Union Budget will be a tough one, there seems to be fresh bout of buying by operators. Surprising? Hardly. Consider this logic — the tough Budget sends signals to the FIIs that the government now means business, well and truly, which in turn enhances FII in flows, thus fuelling yet another sharp market rally. Operators foreseeing such a development are quite gung-ho and have begun taking up positions accordingly. But what happens if these calculations go awry?

Well, that surely has to be accepted as an occupational hazard. In the meanwhile, there is fair scope for action on the trading front. Punters with a bullish temperament could consider taking up long positions at certain counters. Ride the boom, but do step off whenever the pace gets too hot.

ASHOK KUMAR
Mumbai

Take Pak seriously

Many retired Pak military officers have been saying for the past weeks that the next war will be fought in Indian territory.

Based upon this info., together with time tested Pak pattern of attack, potentially a serious scenario emerges.

If the Indian army launches an attack across either LoC or the international border, the jihadists who number at least 5000 in Kashmir will move into Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and massacre Hindus on an enormous scale. Any Indian offensive that does not take this scenario into account would be disastrous.

The Indian military planners should be well advised to keep this in mind.

MOORTHY MUTHUSWAMY
New York