Seamy side of book business

THIS refers to Khushwant Singh’s "Seamy side of book business" (February 19). One can appreciate the eagerness of new authors to have their works published but it is rather unfortunate that in the process they have to give in to the unfair demands of publishers. Publishers should encourage and promote new writers. The publishers must be fair to them. Reviewers should review the work of new authors fairly the menace of piracy should also be checked.

ONKAR CHOPRA
Delhi

Samjhauta Express

Apropos of Varinder Walia and Ashok Sethi’s article " Samjhauta Express — on a dangerous track" (February 26), the ISI is using the Samjhauta Express as a conduit for smuggling small arms, RDX, narcotics, contraband goods and fake Indian currency into India . It is time that the train was discontinued. It is clear that the Samjhauta Express is being used by the ISI for nefarious activities in India.

O.P. SHARMA
Faridabad

Animal love

This refers to Khushwant Singh’s write- up "Loving animals" (February 19). I will like to add that while dogs love human beings, cats feel affection for the place where they live. Many instances have come to light where a family has abandoned its old. dilapidated house in the ancestral village, to settle in the city for greener pastures; but people in the village found that their cat didn’t migrate alongwith them and preferred to stay behind. Even old stories portray the same theme.

There is a basic difference in the nature of dog lovers

and cat lovers. While the former are cheerful, broadminded, zealous and open-hearted, the latter are mysterious, conservative and prefer loneliness. This difference may be attributed to the fundamental difference between the nature of canines and felines. Psychologists nowadays advice people to keep a dog so as to lessen tension and boredom.

SANJAY GOYAL
Mustafabad

Kiwi fruit

This refers to an item published in "Funpoint" (February 19). Under the heading ‘Kiwi fruits’, the answer to the last question "Is Kiwi fruit grown in India? has been given ‘no’ whereas it should be "yes".

The Kiwi fruit was introduced first time in India in 1963 by the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resource Centre Phagli in Shimla and start bearing fruits in 1968.

During 1985, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni established Kiwi Orchard at its main campus, Nauni after procuring plant material from NBPGR Centre, Phagli, Shimla and subsequently established an orchard at Regional Horticulture Research Station, Bajaura (Kulu) and Horticulture Research Station, Kandaghat.

The research trails conducted by the university revealed that Kiwi fruit can be grown successfully in some parts of the state. On an average, a fully grown vine can produce about one quintal of fruit which can fetch a remunerative price in the market. This year alone the university has sold more than 15,000 kiwi fruit plants to growers.

P.D. BHARDWAJ
Nauni