Monday, July 22, 2002, Chandigarh, India





National Capital Region--Delhi

E D I T O R I A L   P A G E


EDITORIALS

Crude politics, BJP style
T
HE controversial decision of the Narendra Modi government to resign and recommend the dissolution of the Gujarat Assembly nine months ahead of the completion of its term is politically motivated all the way.

Even USA says ‘no’ to plebiscite
A
T least now Pakistan should bury its pointless plebiscite demand in the case of Kashmir. It is not acceptable in any influential world capital today. The latest expression of scorn for the illogical idea has come from the USA, the sole surviving super power and Pakistan’s ally in the global war against terrorism.

OPINION

What plagues Punjab’s varsities
A case of missing talent, lack of commitment
Amrik Singh
E
VEN though I quit Punjabi University, Patiala, quite some time ago, I know enough about what has been happening to be able to offer a few comments. An obvious thing to say is that to keep the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor pending for so long does not convey the right kind of message to the staff and the students.



EARLIER ARTICLES

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
MIDDLE

The summing up
N.S. Tasneem
L
OOKING back I realise that I have always lived in the future. The present was for me a passing phase, although the past was ever at the back of my mind. At the very outset of my career, I knew that I would have to struggle hard to make a mark in the particular field.

Forgetting Alzheimer’s? Try coffee
D
ON’T give up that habit of making endless trips to the coffee pot, at least not yet. For coffee may ultimately be the one protecting you against the debilitating Alzheimer’s disease, an incurable disorder that causes disorientation and memory loss.

A POINT OF VIEW

People-to-people contact needed in Kashmir
Davinder P.S. Sandhu
O
N the sub-continent, when we think of “people-to-people” contact, we are usually referring to improved interaction between the citizens of India and Pakistan. However, a more serious situation in this perspective is developing within the boundaries of India itself, calling for “people-to-people” contact between Kashmiris and other Indians.

SIGHT & SOUND

Cricket whams politics
Amita Malik
I
T was an unusually grim week. The brutal massacre of innocents in Jammu. The tense atmosphere over the Ahmedabad rath yatra. The death sentence in Pakistan for the Pearl murder assassination. The attempt on the French President’s life. In other words, politics as usual. But there was a silver lining.

SPIRITUAL NUGGETS



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Crude politics, BJP style

THE controversial decision of the Narendra Modi government to resign and recommend the dissolution of the Gujarat Assembly nine months ahead of the completion of its term is politically motivated all the way. The Chief Minister has sought early polls in the State despite the Election Commission’s public opposition to advancing elections, because Gujarat was rocked by communal violence barely a few months ago. Whatever Mr Modi or the BJP may say, the wounds caused by that shameful development are still raw. The need of the hour is continuous healing touch, which has been just superficial so far. By dissolving the Assembly, the government has only abdicated its constitutional and moral responsibility to restore order and communal harmony. This type of behaviour is in keeping with its partisan attitude in the past which made it close several relief camps for the riot victims. It did not bother to check whether it was safe for the hapless people to go back to their hearth and homes. The latest order has only increased the anxiety and apprehensions of the people who have been wrecked by communal riots. The heat generated by the elections, whether these are held in September as demanded by the BJP or later, is certain to spoil the atmosphere necessary for the occasion. Their interests have been ignored at the altar of crude calculations to extend BJP rule beyond next year. This shortcut to political gains can short-circuit their aspirations to rebuild their lives.

The BJP has sought to justify this step. However, neutral observers cannot defend the indefensible. The news is disquieting for those who care for the land of Gandhi. It is equally shocking for those devoted to the restoration of peace and communal harmony. The BJP’s track record makes its role appear all the more suspect. Since Mr Modi is so keen to continue as a caretaker Chief Minister, there is no reason why he could not have continued as a full-fledged one till that time. Technically, he may be justified in recommending the dissolution of the Assembly, which was accepted equally promptly by Governor S.S. Bhandari, but his action goes against the spirit of the Constitution. The touchstone in this matter is whether the precipitate action will in any way resurrect the lost communal harmony. The answer happens to be a big no. On the contrary, it can fan fires of discord. What can happen in the days to come gives one a very uneasy feeling. Unfortunately, the Congress, instead of opposing the dissolution forcefully, has concerned itself more with demanding elections under President’s rule. The situation in Gujarat is such that even that step is not going to make any difference. Will people be able to exercise their franchise freely and fearlessly? Unlikely. One expects the Election Commission to take stock of the situation minutely and analyse all the nuances before playing the role expected of it.
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Even USA says ‘no’ to plebiscite

AT least now Pakistan should bury its pointless plebiscite demand in the case of Kashmir. It is not acceptable in any influential world capital today. The latest expression of scorn for the illogical idea has come from the USA, the sole surviving super power and Pakistan’s ally in the global war against terrorism. The American viewpoint was made known on Friday by Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca at a hearing in a House International Relations Subcommittee. The USA wants the Kashmir dispute to be settled bilaterally between India and Pakistan in accordance with the 1972 Shimla Agreement, accepting the coming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections as the starting point in that direction. This is “complete vindication” of the Indian stand, as has been officially acknowledged by New Delhi. The plebiscite demand has become meaningless because of three primary reasons. One, Pakistan talks of it without freeing the Occupied Kashmir area from its control where people have no democratic freedom as is the case in Jammu and Kashmir. Two, the plebiscite plea has been based on the impracticable two-nation theory which died in its infancy when the majority of the Muslim population of undivided India preferred to stay put in a democratic and secular India. The hated theory got its final burial with the birth of Bangladesh. Three, people of Jammu and Kashmir have been willingly participating in the elections held in the state ever since the country proclaimed itself a Republic. Moreover, India and Pakistan themselves decided in 1972 that henceforth they would try to resolve all their disputes, including that on Kashmir, bilaterally and through a process of dialogue. Some time ago even the United Nations dumped the plebiscite issue as redundant in view of the changed geopolitical realities.

The truth is that Pakistan has no case on Kashmir. It is foolishly wasting its energy on something which is like mirage. The recently released survey by Mori International, a highly respected UK-based media organisation, should have served as an eye-opener for Pakistan. The survey findings have highlighted the truth that the majority of Kashmiris (over 61 per cent) desire to live as part of India as they feel that they will be politically and economically better off in this country. As against this, a mere 6 per cent expressed their preference for Pakistani citizenship, with 33 per cent unable to make a clear choice. Pakistan should, therefore, make up its mind to redesign its Kashmir policy to live as India’s friendly neighbour. This is in Pakistan’s own interest as a nation. It spends a major chunk of its resources to keep alive its Kashmir obsession which has proved self-destructive, economically, socially, etc. The problem is that Pakistani leaders, including the present ruler, have always preferred to keep their personal political interests above those of their country. Thus, General Musharraf’s oft-repeated “moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmir cause” is nothing but aimed at emotionally blackmailing the people of Pakistan to strengthen his position in the ongoing battle for survival. In the process, he vitiates the atmosphere in the subcontinent leading to more bitterness between India and Pakistan.
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What plagues Punjab’s varsities
A case of missing talent, lack of commitment
Amrik Singh

EVEN though I quit Punjabi University, Patiala, quite some time ago, I know enough about what has been happening to be able to offer a few comments. An obvious thing to say is that to keep the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor pending for so long does not convey the right kind of message to the staff and the students. Most people have the feeling that those entrusted with decision-making do not attach sufficient importance to what happens to the university. Hopefully, a decision will be taken; and soon. The more important thing to say, however, is about the state of universities in Punjab and elsewhere in the country.

In making my observations, I do it in the background of my having been a member of a UGC committee which selected five universities in the country under the scheme of Universities with a Potential for Excellence. As envisaged at present, these five universities (JNU), and those at Chennai, Jadavpur, Pune and Hyderabad) are proposed to be given an additional Rs 30 crore each during the next three to five years with a mandate to improve the university as a whole. Among the three things that each one of them would be required to focus upon and ensure would be (a) a different mode of internal governance, (b) a certain number of autonomous colleges, wherever necessary, and (c) an improved system of examinations.

The performance of two of these five universities impressed me a great deal. As against Calcutta University, one of the oldest universities in the country, Jadavpur has given impressive evidence both of innovativeness and vision during recent years. The first steps in this new direction were taken by a Vice-Chancellor who later on went to become the Power Minister of the state and rescued it from the morass of inefficiency into which power generation and its distribution had fallen.

In the case of Pune, a succession of forward-looking Vice-Chancellors was able to innovate one after another and today Pune University has overtaken many older universities including the University of Bombay. In both cases the real impressive thing was that while functioning under the overall supervision of the state administration, their performance outdistanced a large number of other universities.

In Punjab, contrary to what is expected in keeping with the potential of the state, its universities have not been enabled or encouraged to take off. The basic problem at Patiala is that everything is done at the level of mediocrity. Several people asked me pointedly why I chose to quit so abruptly as I did in 1979. My answer to each one of them was unambiguous. I had inherited a situation in which the bulk of the people were mediocre. I tried to change things somewhat. Though successful to some extent, I could not go beyond a point. Given the outlook of the political bosses, it was difficult to rescue the university from its obstinate level of mediocrity. Since then all kinds of other things have happened to aggravate the situation. It should not be necessary to say anything more for, despite the passage of time, or perhaps because of it, things have worsened rather than improve.

Is it an accident that, judged by every index of quality education, the universities in Punjab are distinctly behind others? Whether it is teaching or research or service to the community, the universities in the state are lagging behind. Whoever is appointed at Patiala should be aware of this basic problem and then assisted to take all those steps which may lead to the growth of quality. If this happens, things would start improving. Perhaps it would be in order to refer to a couple of things from the past.

Under the leadership of the late Dr Ganda Singh, several significant initiatives had been taken in the field of Punjab studies. A Punjab History Congress was organised and meetings every year even now. A periodical (Punjab: Past and Present) was brought out some 30 odd years ago. It is still being published but is only a ghost of its former self. The truth of the matter is that while all kinds of academic facilities that one can ask for are available, we do not have persons with the right kind of capability and commitment.

Those who belong to the older generation will soon fade out and what we are living through currently is a prolonged period of intellectual stagnation. This may be linked to some of the goings on in respect of the growth of history as a discipline. But that would be only a part of the explanation. The real explanation is that mediocre persons are projected and patronised. Those vested with authority play this game actively and shamelessly. This can lead to only one outcome: talent is ignored and mediocres rule the roost. The phenomenon has been at work for quite some decades and the result is what we see.

In any honest academic system, the opposite must happen. But we are passing through a phase when those who sit in judgement are hardly the kind of people who have the right professional value. They have attained eminence by ceaseless manipulation and are not capable of doing anything better. While these problems characterise the Indian university system as a whole, there are exceptions also. Two have been referred to above. What this fact should mean in the case of Punjab need not be underlined.

It may not be out of place to mention one thing more. This university was established in order to promote and develop Punjabi. When I joined the university after more than 15 years of its establishment, one of the several things I did was to appoint a committee to review the development of Punjabi, as undertaken by the university. The committee was presided over by the late Dr M.S. Randhawa and had, among its members, Dr J.S. Neki who at that time was the Director of the PGI, Chandigarh. That very year he had been given the Sahitya Akademi Award for his poetry.

The report received from this committee was made public soon after its receipt. Everyone felt embarrassed but nobody was prepared to do anything. A couple of steps which were proposed to be taken were shot down by an important member of the Syndicate, possibly because he was offended over his brother-in-law not having been promoted as a professor. Since I have written about it in my book “Asking for Trouble” which deals with my tenure, it should not be necessary to say anything more.

The point I want to make is that universities grow into centres of scholarship and research as a result of commitment as well as leadership. This implies, among other things, an uncompromising refusal to tolerate mediocrity. When political bosses worry about who gains and who loses in terms of the welfare of certain individuals, the outcome is what we see. This is precisely what the CPM bosses did to the University of Calcutta. Fortunately, there came along a person who had the requisite political skills to deal with the politicians. When he started building up Jadavpur University, a certain number of talented people moved over to that centre of learning. Once it began to hum with activity, funds poured in from a large number of central agencies and today it is one of the leading universities in the country.

The difficulty at Punjabi University was and still is that there is hardly any talent to draw upon. The most important task, therefore, is to identify and encourage talent. Will this come to pass? If the past is any guide, the answer, sad to say, would be in the negative. To repeat, the two prerequisites for building up a university are political support of those in power and leadership in the person of the Vice-Chancellor. For years together Punjab has been unable to provide these two crucial inputs.

As is characteristic of a decaying society, no distinction is drawn between the working of a university and, say, the Road Transport Authority. In the latter case, an unworthy appointment means loss of revenue or something worse than that. When such a person is appointed to, or promoted, in a university, the loss is more subtle and operates for a whole generation. What we are witnessing today is the outcome of what happened decades ago.

That quite a few academics should be party to this unholy game is unforgivable. Indeed, a few are the beneficiaries of this incompetent and corrupt system. This should mean at least one thing: they do not criticise the politicians alone. Why not look inwards and ask a few questions about themselves too? This bit of self-introspection might lead to a different pattern of growth!

The writer is a former Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala.
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The summing up
N.S. Tasneem

LOOKING back I realise that I have always lived in the future. The present was for me a passing phase, although the past was ever at the back of my mind. At the very outset of my career, I knew that I would have to struggle hard to make a mark in the particular field. It was not my aim to reach the pinnacle as my quest was for something worthwhile. Material gains never attracted me and they in return eluded me with vengeance. There were no regrets at any stage as the hopes had never been belied.

Something at the horizon of my consciousness always beckoned me to proceed further but the glimmering lights receded further as the twilight merged into darkness. As a result, my life took the form of simply a dream sequence that held my heart in captivity during the long years.

During the college days I was fond of reciting Sahir’s couplet —

Abhi na chher mohabbat ke geet ai mutrib

Abhi hayaat ka mahoul khushgwar nahin

So the singer had to wait indefinitely for the situation to brighten up for his recitation of love songs. It never occurred to me or the strugglers of my generation to coincide the demands of the heart and the mind. At that time it was considered obligatory to starve the one so as to gratify the other. Particularly when Faiz assured us, in no uncertain terms, that the days of struggle were numbered —

Chand roz aur meri jaan fakat chand hi roz

zulm kee chhaon main dum lene pai majboor hain hum.

The pace of my life had been slow but I was in a hurry to realise my dreams. The dreams never took the form of visions and in reality they were not dreams either. Some sort of a feeling of irascibility, the unnamed intellectual craving, the persistent eagerness to know the unknown and the painful realisation that “the cup of life has been dealt to me in another measure” occupied for long the sphere of my thoughts. Longings with the passage of time took the shape of frustrated desires and some type of ennui descended, like dust particles, on the inner working of my mind.

Luckily, I had never been inclined towards cynicism in regard to men and matters. No malice for even the worst adversary as I was aware of the volatility of the human mind. It can swing to the other extreme, even when there is no change of the heart apparently. Many a time I have been proved wrong in my selection of friends and foes.

Lately, I feel cheated not by the crafty men around me but by the subtleties of human life that never allow a person to heave a deep sigh of relief. The feelings nudge at the heart all the time that the best part of life had been wasted in pursuit of goals indistinct. It was not the case of looking before and after and pining for what is not. It was like wandering in wilderness and picking up thorns in the hope of coming to the valley where roses bloomed in abundance. Again it was not a desire to gain all that was possible even at the fag end of the journey. It was simply the culmination of the expectation to have a glimpse of the beauty that was both good and true. Even now all this appears to be probable, even though not possible.
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Forgetting Alzheimer’s? Try coffee

DON’T give up that habit of making endless trips to the coffee pot, at least not yet. For coffee may ultimately be the one protecting you against the debilitating Alzheimer’s disease, an incurable disorder that causes disorientation and memory loss.

A new research conducted at the Faculty of Medicine in Lisbon, Portugal, studied the consumption of caffeine—specifically coffee—in people who had Alzheimer’s disease. When comparing them to a control group who did not have the disease, the scientists found that those with no sign of the brain disease had consumed an average of three to four cups a day since the age of 25. However, those with the illness drank, on average, just one cup of coffee each day.

Researchers have already pointed to caffeine as a potential treatment for the disease, but this is the first study to show a link in humans. The results were published in the Journal of Neurology.

The reason caffeine seems to protect against Alzheimer’s is not yet clear, but the data fuels the debate on whether caffeine-rich drinks can protect against illness or contribute to it.

Scientists found people with Alzheimer’s drank 74mg of caffeine a day — the equivalent of one cup of coffee or two to three cups of tea. Those without the disease averaged 200mg a day.

The UK Alzheimer’s Society urged caution in interpreting the findings, saying studies examining the link between dementia and diet and lifestyle could give a clearer understanding. “All we can conclude is that long-term caffeine intake may be having a protective effect,” the Director, Dr Richard Harvey, was quoted as saying. ANI
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People-to-people contact needed in Kashmir
Davinder P.S. Sandhu

ON the sub-continent, when we think of “people-to-people” contact, we are usually referring to improved interaction between the citizens of India and Pakistan. However, a more serious situation in this perspective is developing within the boundaries of India itself, calling for “people-to-people” contact between Kashmiris and other Indians.

A quick survey of children whom I met within the course of one week proved this. While they had all been to Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and other cities, those who had visited Srinagar were negligible, and these were the ones whose parents had Kashmir assignments.

I do remember from my childhood that a visit to Kashmir was a must on the travel plans of most Indian middle class families. It was also a must on the itineraries of school excursion trips, and by the time a child was about 10 years old, he had already been a visitor to Kashmir, and fallen permanently in love with it. It was obvious that a sense of pride of this “janat” being a part of India also swelled in the child’s chest, forming an unbreakable bond with the state and its people.

The positive interaction also left its impression on the Kashmiris, when their state was so loved and appreciated, both for the beauty of the land, and the warmth of its people. They waited for their guests to return, bringing both emotional and economic sustenance.

With the onset of terrorism in Kashmir over the past two decades, the situation has deteriorated. There are very few 15 or 20-year olds, who have seen Kashmir. Family holidays are extending up to Vaishno Devi, and no further, and educational institutions no longer sponsor Kashmir trips. The memory of Kashmir as India’s jewel has been erased from young minds, and replaced with unpleasant associations. They relate to the state through TV reports, which remain confined to figures of AK-47 toting terrorists, Lal Chowk under security cover, explosions, and mangled bodies. A new generation of Indians is growing up outside Kashmir, who have never visited the valley, do not bond emotionally with Kashmir, and have only a psychologically negative association with the state.

A more severe problem exists with the Kashmiri youth. Fed on vitriolic anti-India sentiment from across the border, and denied real contact with their Indian brothers in the rest of the country, they have been overtaken by a siege mentality. They have little opportunity to voice their concerns, and remove their imaginary fears by interacting with the average Indian in the street.

There is an urgent and immediate need to address this chasm through the education system, and domestic tourism.

Intelligence agencies flash daily reports of young unemployed boys being picked up by terrorist recruiters. Recent camps by the Indian Army to enlist youngsters are helping to stem the harm, but we need to go further. Let us recruit Kashmiri youth on the right side of peace and prosperity, by ensuring their entry into professional courses. Every medical, engineering, and management institution in India must offer admission to at least one resident of Kashmir in its courses every year. Banks can offer soft loans to these students, as part of many such ongoing schemes to finance professional education. During the course of their study, these students should be under the guardianship of the local District Education Officer, ensuring that proper mentoring is done. While a detailed scheme to select students under this programme can be worked out, it must be ensured that the selections represent the entire Kashmir region, geographically and demographically, and are not confined to influential pockets in Srinagar.

With about 5000 such institutions in India, we can have 50,000 youth professionally trained within a decade to bring about a change in Kashmir’s social and economic fortunes. Their stay will also expose them to the wide cross-cultural matrix of our plural society, strengthening secular feelings. They will see for themselves the untrue nature of the propaganda that they have been fed on from across the border. They will realise the harm that some misguided youth are doing to India and the world, and return as ambassadors of peace and secularism. Equally important, the stay will also foster social relationships, and bring about a basis for future family and business partnerships.

A scheme of Bharat Darshan for Kashmiri school children also needs to be put in place. The emphasis should be on selecting youngsters from all parts of the troubled state. A winter tour will expose them to the many-splendoured India that is theirs. They will see a working alternative vision of life, which is progressive and life-giving, as opposed to the regressive jehadi refrains that they are being fed on. Indeed, we should launch such a scheme for all states, using the Railways extensive network to strengthen national bonds.

With regard to domestic tourism in Kashmir, we need to take immediate action. While the Railways runs up to Jammu, the airlines offer direct entry into Kashmir. In addition to the existing flight, Indian Airlines should add another two flights per day ex-Delhi for the tourist season. There should also be two flights per day from Jammu to Srinagar, and back, to be coordinated with the arrivals/departures of trains at Jammu. As an incentive, the fares should be subsidised by 75 per cent and the approximate subsidy for a six month season will be Rs. 85 crore. Considering the enormity of the national cause involved, this small amount is inconsequential, and represents a genuine area for state subsidy.

With about 250 passengers per flight, these five trips will bring in 1,250 tourists per day into Kashmir. Considering an average stay for a week, there will be about 8,500 domestic tourists resident in Kashmir on a daily basis. This will afford an excellent forum for people to meet, and dispel myths about each other. Additionally, assuming a conservative spending of Rs 400 per day by the tourist, an extra Rs 75 crore will be pumped into the Kashmir economy. This money will be injected through restaurants, hotels, boat houses, taxis, tourist guides etc, and thus benefit common people.

This endeavour is to be encouraged not as mere tourism, but as a forum for people to meet and know each other.

While there is an international LoC, for most young Indians, both Kashmiris and others, who have never seen each other, the LoC has virtually shifted to the Jammu portion of J&K. This needs to be reversed, because in another 10 years, these youth will start expressing views, which will become a basis for opinion formation in India and the world. If they do not meet each other, and familiarise themselves with actual ground truths, their future will continue to be mired in conflict.

The author is an officer with the Govt of India. The views expressed are his own.
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Cricket whams politics
Amita Malik

IT was an unusually grim week. The brutal massacre of innocents in Jammu. The tense atmosphere over the Ahmedabad rath yatra. The death sentence in Pakistan for the Pearl murder assassination. The attempt on the French President’s life. In other words, politics as usual. But there was a silver lining.

I have lost count of how many people told me they had wept with joy after India’s victory at Lords. Not only because it was as emotional a moment as our famous win in the World Cup in 1983, with Kapil Dev to the fore, but because of that splendid act of youthful defiance by Yuvraj and Kaif, with Sehwag hitting four successive boundaries off Irani and our Prince of Kolkata (as Boycott has dubbed him) setting off India’s innings with a modish 60-odd in far fewer minutes. But there was more to it than the cricket victory. It was a triumph of Indian nationalism at its best and it showed up vividly on the small screen. I am old enough to remember the 1983 World Cup victory at Lords, but the political atmosphere was not so vitiated at the time with religious intolerance at its ugliest. This time we had a lump in our throats not only at the Camelot spirit of Indian youth, but it was not lost on anyone that it was a Muslim, a Hindu and a Sikh waving the flag for India at the finish of this incredible victory. And that two Muslims were at the crease for the winning shots. I felt stunned when a young girl asked me: “Aunty, would they have killed Kaif if he had been in Ahmedabad during the riots?”

I put on a brave face as I said: “Of course not. Look at how the entire city of Allahabad celebrated the wonderful feat of their young son and the UP government has given him an award of Rs 2 lakh.” Luckily, we all dissolved in laughter at the irony of Kaif’s family switching off their TV after Tendulkar’s wicket fell, and then missing the last reel of Devdas as well when crowds poured into the cinema with the film still running to congratulate Kaif’s family. Then the touching interviews with Kaif’s father saying: “My son helped Hindustan to win, now I will be proud to be described as Kaif’s father”. And his simple housewife of a mother laughing at the way they rushed off to Devdas. And Yuvraj’s father and grandfather proud of their prodigy and maintaining stoutly that Yuvraj was certainly going to shine in Test matches as well. All human and endearing and touching. We are still weeping with joy and are thankful that TV captures such golden moments. And proud that the Indian spirit has overcome all odds to reassert its precious values.

If any people have missed Hard Talk Pakistan on the BBC at 10 p.m. on Fridays, I would advise them to tune in. Because it is showing the vibrant spirit of deep-thinking and articulate Pakistanis at its best. Riz Khan does not employ the hammer and tongs technique of Karan Thapar, but is just as effective with difficult questions pursued relentlessly. I have not seen them all but was greatly impressed, as one always is, with Asma Jehangir’s documented replies about not just the intellectuals but also the ordinary people of Pakistan, as opposed to the politicians, feel about the present state of the country, its politics, its social issues, its economic woes and its religious problems. Asma Jehangir is in a class by herself and since she does not spare India if required, we can only be thankful that someone of her courage and integrity is finding outlets such as the BBC, because when interviewed on the telephone by Star News sometime ago, she remarked that Star News was banned in Pakistan so she was not very well up about what her contemporaries in India were saying on that channel. I was also vastly impressed by last week’s personality, Sakhar Imam a senior member of the Pakistan Muslim League party, Group QA. I do not know Mr Imam’s background, but he was obviously a highly educated, sophisticated and articulate politician whose replies to Riz Khan’s well thought out questions went well beyond party politics. It was cheering to hear a voice like his in the Pakistani context and one could not but listen to his views with respect.

I must also mention, rather belatedly, a very good panel discussion in Tavleen Singh’s Friday series on the BBC, which discussed the entry of foreign media into the Indian scene. It was a subject in which Tavleen was very much at home and her panelists, Editors Cusrow Irani and Aroon Purie and independent observer Dilip Cherian represented every possible point of view, leading to lively, informative and ably conducted discussion.
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Life breath springs from the Self,

hope from the Self,

memory from the Self,

ether from the Self,

heat from the Self,

water from the Self,

appearance and disappearance from the Self,

food from the Self,

strength from the Self,

understanding from the Self,

meditation from the Self,

thought from the Self,

determination from the Self,

mind from the Self,

speech from the Self,

name from the Self,

sacred hymns from the Self,

(sacred works from the Self,

indeed all this (world) from the Self....

He who sees this does not see death

nor illness nor any sorrow.

He who sees this sees everything

and obtains everything everywhere...

— Chhandogya Upanishad

***

A certain man had trained himself to grunt like a pig. He would go from place to place and his grunting was applauded by foolish crowds. A sage passing by, wondered at this. With a view to dissuading people... he erected another pandal by the side of the pig-grunter... The people rushed in but when they saw a real pig - grunting, they left the pandal and went to the other pandal. Then the sage said: “Here is a splendid lesson for us. Men seldom care for reality but always go in for unreality.... No external help is required to see the Self; but very few want it and even if you eagerly advertise it, none will go to you except those who love Truth for Truth’s sake.

—B.R. Rajam Aiyar, Rambles in Vedanta.

***

There is a rhythm in nature. Likewise, there is a natural rhythm in our body, mind and spirit. Because of stress, these three areas of our life become out of harmony and negative thoughts and frustrating emotions get stored in every cell of our body in the form of toxins...... Sudarshan Kriya floods our system with life-supporting energy....... One feels renewed physically and emotionally.

—Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, God Loves Fun and Other Talks
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