The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Letters to the Editor

NEWS AND VIEWS

PUNJAB

HARYANA

JAMMU & KASHMIR

HIMACHAL

REGIONAL BRIEFS

NATION

OPINIONS

LETTERS

BUSINESS

SPORTS

WORLD

SPECIAL COVERAGE

CHANDIGARH

LUDHIANA

DELHI

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R

Communicate directly with people of J&K

I concur with the views expressed by B G Verghese in the article “Kashmir crisis as an opportunity” (July 16). It is true that there are lumpen elements and agent provocateurs who follow the dictates from across the border and make young people indulge in violence. They reportedly carry out their agendas by means of instigation and even fund organised disturbances. Their hold on the situation has reached such a pass that even moderates among the “Hurriyat” and political parties shy away from dialogue for a political solution which alone can mitigate the suffering of our innocent Kashmiri people and pave the way for the development and amelioration of their economic lot.

It appears that the anti-national elements are more interested in inflicting miseries on the Kashmiri people than solving any of their problems. They are doing so at somebody’s behest and have no genuine interest in meaningful negotiations. Hence the suffering people need to be addressed directly through AIR and Doordarshan by our Prime Minister and the J&K Chief Minister. This should indeed be a regular feature to pass on the right message to the affected people. I happily recall the speeches of our former Prime Minister the late Lal Bahadur Shastri on AIR when he addressed countrymen about our problems and food shortages in the mid-sixties. Even the late Indira Gandhi used this mode of communication to the hilt to talk directly to the people in crisis situations.

When the leaders spearheading violent actions are not in a mood to listen and talk, direct communication appears to be the only solution and may be a potent weapon to thwart the ill designs of troublemakers.

J S GILL, Ludhiana

The writer has explained the factual position relating to Kashmir highlighting certain important aspects, which do need serious consideration by the Centre. The J&K Chief Minister handled the latest crisis well. The Army was rightly called in as deterrent measure. After the initial fire-fighting he did call the all-party meeting which was meant to analyse the entire situation.

The role of the PDP, especially its chief, who does not seem to have reconciled to being out of power, has been negative. Since Independence, Pakistan has been playing mischief and poisoning the young and old minds in J&K and India has failed to counter the anti-India propaganda. During the latest agitations our security forces have got intercepts and this opportunity must be utilised fully. The Centre should launch an aggressive diplomatic offensive internationally to effectively show as to what exactly the Kashmir problem is.

The J&K Chief Minister along with his ministers and MLAs should address the people, especially the youth, all over the valley, by playing loudly and repeatedly the intercepts to expose those who claim to be their sympathisers but are actually trading their lives with money from across the LOC.

The young Chief Minister should also take along the young man who stood first in the All-India civil services examination as also the Srinagar-based young girl who has topped this year’s common entrance test. This young duo should tell the youth as to how the vibrant Indian democracy offers sky as the limit of opportunities which can be availed of to acquire positions where they themselves can directly participate and help in providing good governance and meet the aspirations of the youth, with sheer dedication and hard work and not by playing into the hands of anti-India elements based in Kashmir.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister should hold an all-party meeting also inviting the CM and legislators of J&K to discuss the available political solutions for the Kashmir problem.

Lt-Col JIWAN SHAROTRI (retd), Kasauli

Save energy
The editorial “Cost-effective lighting” (July 16) has rightly emphasised the need to conserve energy. Energy saved is energy produced. The efforts to adopt alternative methods to produce energy are well appreciated. But it is more important to stop the wastage of energy and to conserve it.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency deserves kudos for its efforts to promote the use of CFLs. It is good to learn that in cities like Chandigarh and Ludhiana alternative methods of power will be used for street lighting. This will certainly save a lot of power. To a large extent, people have switched over to CFLs but still there is a dire need of educating the people at large about the benefits of CFLs and other energy saving devices.
SURINDER KUMAR MAHNA, Karnal

Designer rupee

The Indian rupee has now been given a symbol (editorial, “Rupee arrives: A new symbol of India rising”, July 17) .We must hope and strive that the rupee acquires in time, backed by a performing economy, the strength and stability demanded by a global currency.

R NARAYANAN, Ghaziabad

It is heartening to know that the Indian rupee has got a new symbol (news report, “Rupee goes designer”, July 16). The Indian economy is making giant strides and the best part is that the symbol is a blend of Devanagri and Roman scripts.

ALKA KASHYAP, Chandigarh