M A I L B A G

India should beware of Pak trap

Pakistan is working consciously to demonstrate to the world community that what is going on in Kashmir has nothing to do with its endeavour to normalise relations with India. If it succeeds, Pakistan may honourably get itself absolved of its involvement in what is going on in the valley. It can then show thumb to India and continue with its "Mission Kashmir".

India, therefore, must not get caught in the Pakistani trap. Offers like no-war pact, ceasefire along LoC etc form part of Pakistan's cunning diplomatic manoeuvres.

In the event of confrontation, Pakistan's pronounced threat to use its nuclear arm as first strike has, for the time being, even wrestled the initiative of conventional war by India against Pakistan. International community has already termed Kashmir as “nuclear flashpoint” and is watching the developments.

Indian polity need to shed shallow politicking in the overall national interests. One way to defeat Pakistan in the ongoing brinkmanship is to upgrade and vigorously carry out hot pursuit operations deep across LoC while giving renewed impetus to various CBMs.

Lt Col BACHITTAR SINGH (retd), SAS Nagar

Harping on Kashmir

It is apparent from "Terrorism is a product of the mindset" by G. Parthasarthy that war is the ultimate solution of the core issue of Kashmir as per the assumptions of Pakistanis. India has made so many efforts to bring peace and harmony between the people of both the countries, but it has not succeeded.

DINESH MONGIA, Ichhi (Kangra)

Friend of animals The National Commission for Cattle has, in its report submitted to the Prime Minister on July 31, 2002, recommended the setting up of a separate Ministry for Cattle Preservation and Development. Our Constitution prescribes cattle development as a Directive Principle of State Policy. The ruling BJP has animal welfare in general, and cow protection in particular, on its agenda. This is the time when we should set up a Ministry for Animal Welfare at the Centre and in the states. India has almost 28 crore cows and buffaloes. With sheep, goats and dogs etc, the total population would be almost 50 crore. Looking after and bringing about genetic improvement of this vast population is a stupendous task that involves huge inputs. Presently, animal welfare is being looked by the Ministry of Environment and Forests while cattle improvement is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture. The arrangement is clearly unsatisfactory. Moreover, we in India, practise animal welfare, not animal husbandry. An animal, once it is born, is allowed to live to its natural death. Whether it is useful or not is immaterial. Hence the need for naming the ministry as the Ministry of Animal Welfare. Constitution of this ministry will not be a problem because there are many ministers in the Vajpayee government who have no work to do. The minister will get a job and the cattle will get some attention. L.R. SHARMA, Solan

Power crisis in US

On August 14, 2003, the US and Canada were plunged into darkness. What exactly happened? Why did it happen and how it could be prevented in future?

The answer will point to a troubling but inescapable conclusion. Unlike other countries that are modernising their power industries, America is muddling along with an approach to electricity reforms that is deeply flawed. If future blackouts are to be avoided, it must resolve these problems quickly and decisively.

One reason for the failure of the US’ grid is that necessary technologies are not available. Much of the technology that the US uses was designed in the 1950 and 1960. Modern technologies will improve the reliability of its grid, high voltage current cables an innovative means of delivering electricity over long distances. China is using this technology to deliver power from Gorges dam to Shanghais. And Brazil uses it to get Amazon power to Sao Paulo.

Reports suggest that the US has hinted at seeking help from India’s engineers to maintain its grid. But our engineers here have failed to check the transmission and distribution losses. Our SEBs are also in the red. How can India help maintain the US grid?

S.K. KAPOORr, Ludhiana

Callous officials

Kudos to the book vendors of Sector 15 on whom the rollercoaster Chandigarh Administration came heavily and burnt a sizeable number of books. This is gross disrespect to the literary world and the book lovers. Their livelihood apart, they have been the agents of literary spread through a rare blend of books which mostly are cheap. Many writers owe their literary acumen to such way-side vendors.

Flexing muscles on the helpless nomads is inconsequential since the officials, despite their authority, have not been able to remove or shift the heaps of cow-dung and stinking refuse piled up at the entrance of Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45-B, Chandigarh. Their claim on sanitation rings hollow and the students, the parents and the visitors are forced to bear the brunt of their inefficiency and callousness. Has the Chandigarh Administration anything to do with it?

POOJA, Faculty member, Dev Samaj College for Women, Chandigarh