M A I L B A G

The inviolable laws of nature

This refers to Khushwant Singh’s write-up “Matter of belief” (Saturday Extra, Feb 18). One who does not believe in the existence of God, it is futile to argue with him over the ways of God. The writer demands an explanation from the believers as to why God afflicts even those who believe in Him with diseases, natural calamities, etc.

Khushwant Singh should know that belief in God does not mean that the believer becomes immune to diseases, insusceptible to natural calamities, invulnerable to accidents, not liable to weaknesses, or not subject to natural laws governing the Universe. God Himself has also created the laws of nature.

The writer’s assertion that there is no God or it is useless to believe in God because God afflicts with torments even those who are His devotees — Haj pilgrims, Vaishno Devi devotees, etc — does not carry weight. But he would not budge. All I can say about him is Zameen jumbad, na jumbad Gul Mohammad (the earth may turn upside down, but Gul Mohammad won’t change his opinion).

BILAL AHMAD SHAMIM, Qadian

II

I would like to say that the writer’s doubt is legitimate. If our faith in Almighty cannot be questioned then why do we face tragedies in our pursuit to find Him?

This is a complex phenomenon to understand. Perhaps God puts all his devotees to test while they are on a pilgrimage. Those who are found lacking in faith remain tied to this world and the cycle of birth and death while those who have unfathomable faith are given relief and mukti by the Almighty himself.

This may not be a scientific explanation but it is a reasonable one in order to stick to our faith. Those who search Him with a pure heart, find Him. And once their biggest pursuit has materialised, after they have found the treasure we all seek in our lifetime, they have nothing else to live for. That could be a reason behind the so-called tragedies during pilgrimages. All I would say is that it is all but a matter of belief and there are bound to be differences of opinion.

RUBY MANCHANDA, Mandi

III

I do not agree with the writer’s views. It is true that people worship God and show deep devotion to him, according to their belief. Yet mishaps are witnessed day in and day out that could shake our belief. We live in a world where while trying to think of the ultimate, we cannot but think of somebody Almighty and may call him by any name.

The writer has quoted examples of mishaps where the devotees suffered but there are many more examples where the existence of an Almighty power cannot be ruled out. Many a time during the course of our lives, we have to say, “It was the will of God.”

Prof P. K. GUPTA, Bathinda

Inculcating good values in children The article “In Search of Truth” (Saturday, Feb 11) was an exceptional experience, especially in the context of the present era. The Talwars have set an example of wise rearing and infusion of basic traits. It is vital to rise above the mundane. Only parents can do everything to protect the social relations from getting into disarray and they should lay stress on inculcation of good values in children. There is a dire need to redefine the relationship, which can be better interpreted as the relationship between a river and its banks. As long as the banks hold the water, its flow continues. Whenever the banks hamper its way, it inundates everything en route. The banks remain with the river until it merges into the ocean (the world). From birth to the tenth year, parents must instil in children the ability to perceive the importance of four basic concepts: love, co-operation, understanding and friendliness. VARNEESH VIDIT, Jalandhar

Cup that cheers

Gulab Singh Dhirawat’s piece “Three cheers for free chai” (Spectrum, Jan 29) is a unique example of humanity in this materialistic world. It is not a child’s play to offer tea free of cost for the past 60 years.

In modern times, when people give up their own near and dear ones as one reads in the newspapers, such people hold out hope for humanity. They are above worldly temptations.

NACHHATTAR SINGH MALHAN, Odhan (Sirsa)

Vivid description

This refers to “A bird’s eye view of Subathu” by Lt-Gen Baljit Singh (retd) (Saturday Extra, Feb 11). The writer has given a vivid description of some of the bird species of Subathu. The language was excellent and the photographs were eye-catching. We flew over Subathu hills through the write-up.

SATENDRA SINGH, Kamod (Bhiwani)

Poignant cartoons

The facts in “Press and Partition of Punjab” (Spectrum, Feb 12) are revealing indeed. The Tribune, the region’s leading anti-Partition and anti-Muslim League paper, was compelled to move out of Lahore to Simla with limited resources and had to remain out of print for several weeks.

The cartoons in Shankar’s Weekly of those days are poignant. The key players in this turmoil, the British and Indian leaders, never cared for millions of ordinary man and women, who suffered the most.

Dr LALIT KUMAR MANUJA, Nahan