M A I L B A G

Let’s fight terror on our own

Rocket attack close to the Pakistan President’s house in Islamabad shows clearly that terrorism has slipped out of the military regime’s hands. But then, terror always acquires momentum of its own to spin out of the controlled orbits and eventually it consumes those who had spawned it. Thus, asking Pakistan to stop terrorism — much less dismantle the complex terror apparatus — even if they desired would be futile. Also, there is no reason why they should give up their leveraging advantage against India by using terror outfits that must be kept busy, lest they cause local damage. The joint mechanism espoused with so much fanfare at the NAM summit in Havana seems to have collapsed in less than a month due to its inherent contradictions. The ways to overcome terror now spreading all over our country are as follows:

One, India must dispel the notion of a soft state. We must tackle terror on our own without seeking anyone’s support. Two, peace parleys, gas pipeline, trade links with Pakistan should be forgotten. Diplomatic level can also be scaled down to show our disappointment. Three, Jammu and Kashmir is our problem and would need to be resolved expeditiously. The peaceful Ladakh and Jammu regions should be separated so that attention can be focused on the Valley. The state must get connected by rail and all weather roads up to Leh and beyond to integrate it emotionally with the nation.

Air Cmdr RAGHUBIR SINGH (retd), Pune

Kalam deserves another term October 15 was the birthday of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He has piloted the Republic through many political storms and provided the nation a sense of security and stability. While launching India into the missile age, he did not ignore agriculture and small-scale industry. With multi-disciplinary technological innovations and futuristic development vision, Dr Kalam has guided the nation with aplomb.  Dr Kalam has turned the Rashtrapathi Bhavan into “People’s Bhavan”. He is indeed the People’s President. He visited every state and met children and youth of all walks of life. He has rekindled hope and commitment among the youth by becoming the role model for India’s upcoming generation. Dr Kalam claims no dynastic privileges, nor asked for caste-based favours. It is purely through hard work and merit that he rose to the high office. His presidency ends early next year. In a public survey of citizens of all walks of life, 92 per cent Indians voted in favour of a second term for Dr Kalam. Indeed he deserves another term as President. DHIRENDRA SHARMA, Centre for Science Policy Research, Dehradun

Entrance exams

I refer to the news-item, “Haryana does away with entrance exams; to admit students on AIEEE scores” (Oct 5). It is heartening to learn that this initiative has come from a progressive and forward-looking state like Haryana. Other states should follow the same method for admission to their engineering colleges.

In view of the recent scam in HP’s PMT Examination, its cancellation and subsequent re-examination following the intervention of the HP High Court, it has become necessary to hold admission to State Medical Colleges on the basis of CBSE/PMT Examination. The advantages of single test are obvious. Moreover, it will reduce avoidable burden and stress on both students and their parents.

Dr SURJIT SINGH, Shimla

It’s a farce

I refer to the news item, “Molestation: no student deposes before inquiry officer” (Oct 4). To get to full facts of the incident, the inquiry should have been conducted by an independent authority which has nothing to do with the involved parties or the state government.

In this case, the enquiry officer is a bureaucrat. Thus, it is very likely that students and vets could not express themselves fearlessly apprehending some reprisals from the police directly or indirectly. The Punjab police are well known for targeting the people witnessing against them.

If the Punjab government had nothing to hide in this incident, the enquiry should have been conducted by a judge or entrusted to the CBI.  The so-called enquiry conducted is, therefore, a farce, to say the least.

HEMA LANGERI, Hoshiarpur