M A I L B A G

Indo-Israel bid to fight terror

THIS has reference to the report “India, Israel to cooperate in fighting terror” (March 26). I do believe insurgency, militancy and terror should be fought with one’s own resources, knowledge, know-how and technology. While doing so, a democratic country should keep itself within the purview of its Constitution, the law and moral uprightness.

I am aware that India has had double standards in fighting this type of war. Our leaders condemn foreign mercenaries and put the blame squarely on Pakistan which is said to foment such troubles. However, India has done such things and will carry on with this practice since it is now collaborating with Israel, a theocratic state.

After the war with China, India collaborated with America’s CIA to train Khampas (a martial tribe of Tibet) in Chakrata, Uttaranchal. They were then sent into Tibet for subversive purposes. India has similarly trained LTTE cadres in Chakrata to fight in Sri Lanka.

During Rajiv Gandhi’s prime ministership, India collaborated with the Soviet’s KGB and brought planeloads of AK-47 rifles from Afghanistan to fight Sikh militancy. What can Israel’s Mossad, its dreaded intelligence agency, teach Indians now? Mossad knows no law or moral value. Recently, it has killed Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmd Yassin, outside its sovereign territory.

SIMRANJIT SINGH MANN, Former MP (Lok Sabha), Quilla S. Harnam Singh

A girl with a golden heart I congratulate the makers of the tele serial “Jassi jaisi koi nahin”. It is a smashing hit. I am touched to see a serial based on a girl with below average looks. We are bored of serials showing women with heavy make-ups and costly designer dresses. These girls do not represent the modern Indian woman. Jassi is a girl with average looks but with a golden heart and an intelligent mind. The roaring success of the serial proves the acceptance of Jassi by the Indian audience more than the Karishmas and the Sridevis. I was thrilled to see a recent advertisement for a secretary which states, “we want a Jassi too”. The serial has broken the myth that good looks are necessary for jobs like a personal secretary in a reputed company. The serial would go a long way in instilling confidence in average looking girls. I wish more and more Indian girls choose Jassi as their role model instead of Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen. Girls walking over the ramp with scanty dresses and heavy make-ups do not represent average Indian girl. Jassi represents the feelings of love, confidence and struggle of the modern Indian woman. So for me, Jassi is the real “Miss India”. Dr PARAMPREET BAWA, Medical Officer, PHC, Joghon (Solan)

Electoral reforms

Apropos of H.K. Dua’s front-page editorial “People must assert” (March 1), structural reforms are required in our electoral system. A code of conduct should be laid down for political leaders also. Parties should give tickets to only those who are dedicated, qualified and upright. They should shun partisan and narrow interests. National interest should be the main concern of all parties.

Crores of rupees are being wasted on rath yatras, road shows and the like, arousing religious passions and hatred. Aren’t these a waste of money, time and energy?

The ceiling on election expenditure prescribed under the Representation of the People Act should be enforced strictly on all candidates contesting the elections. The party funds and the election funds should be made transparent and accountable. Political parties should submit the returns of their election expenditure in Parliament. MPs should be made fully accountable and responsible for the funds given to them for development and these should be subject to scrutiny by Parliament. There should be the right to recall non-performing and corrupt MPs and MLAs. Above all, MPs and MLAs should work for resolving the difficulties of the people who have elected them.

GURDEV SINGH, Mohali

II

It is time we thought about electoral reforms to make elections more refined, transparent and vibrant. For instance, it should be made mandatory that the number of votes polled in a constituency should be at least 50 per cent of the registered voters’ strength and that the winning candidate should secure more than 50 per cent of the polled votes.

In case of a large number of candidates in the fray and no one securing more than 50 per cent votes in one go, which may be common in many places, “a multi-tier election model” is proposed under which only two candidates polling maximum votes in round one shall be left in the fray for the next round.

Prof SUDHIR GHAI, Ludhiana

Faculty exchange

Dr Jim Young, a surgeon from Australia, has recently suggested exchange of experts between Australia and India for common benefit. His suggestion merits a fair trial.

Apart from allopathy, there are good experts in the field of Ayurveda, yoga and nature cure in India. Such experts can also be invited by Australian institutions.

Exchange of experts will help both countries. India possesses expertise in treating cancer without surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. This is done through food therapy, yoga and other processes.

S.R. MITTAL, Ludhiana

Dual citizenship

There is no law operative in India for grant of dual citizenship so far. An Act has been passed by Parliament but no notification has been issued till date. Under the Act, a person who is granted dual citizenship, from 16 countries, shall not be eligible for the right to vote, seeking election to any legislature, joining armed forces, etc.

In spite of the above fact, Mrs Sonia Gandhi has been granted dual citizenship indirectly because she is a citizen of Italy as well as of India. According to the Italian Constitution, a citizen of Italy can never revoke or leave the citizenship for life. She has been granted the right to vote, seek election to any legislature, etc without any law prevailing in the country. Will the Union Government or the Ministry of Home Affairs clear the position once and for all?

R.S. BHALLA, Malerkotla