Peace ambassadors

The Nobel Peace Prize given to Malala and Kailash Satayarthi is a matter of great pride not only for India and Pakistan but also for the whole world. These two ambassadors of peace have suffered a lot for the rights and education of children. Many such people should come forward to eradicate the evils prevailing in the world.

Rajinder Taneja, Malout


 

Peace prize & politics

The Nobel peace prize received in Oslo by an Indian and a Pakistan citizen is a subtle nudge to the neighbouring countries to maintain peace. Malala of Pakistan surely deserves a prize, not for peace, but for her courage and fortitude. What sort of peace has she brought to her country or the world? On the other hand, India's Kailash Satyarthi who gave up his engineering career to fight for children's right, has certainly brought happiness and peace to the families who were united with their lost children or, children rescued from slavery or labour. India never thought fit to recognise Satyarthi's over three decades of selfless service to the deprived children's rights and welfare. He deservingly got his Nobel Peace Prize on the recommendations of the European Parliament. There is a sea change in world's perception about merit of Indians, in glaring contrast to the inexcusable denial of peace prize to the apostle of peace, Mahatma Gandhi.

Politics have always been shadowing the considerations and decisions even for peace prizes.

LJS Panesar, via gmai
 

Too early for Malala

Nobel committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland praised Kailash Satyarthi's campaigns against child labour, often at great risk to himself and lauded Malala Yousafzai's efforts to promote education despite threats from the Taliban, saying: “Her courage is almost indescribable.” 

But one wonders that while 83,000 children have benefited from the efforts of Kailash, what has been the contribution of Malala, except that of creating a big impact from her courageous speeches in the West? They have little changed girls' position in Pakistan. I believe it's too early to honour her.  But between the tension of India and Pakistan, the Nobel Committee has shown us something else: "A young girl and a somewhat older man. One from Pakistan, one from India. One Muslim, the other Hindu. Both symbols of what the world needs -- more unity." 

Kudos to them and hope both of them help bring peace and prosperity for both the countries.

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad 

Sikh Censor Board

A Sikh Censor Board is proposed to be set up by the SGPC (December 9). It is a sensible move, but one fraught with difficulties. Sometimes Sikhs are presented in films and commercial ads in a manner that can only be described as stereotypical, distorted or mocking. A Sikh Censor Board cannot stop such portrayals altogether, but it can certainly discourage them by approaching the Central Board of Film Certification as well as moulding public opinion through suitable critiques.

I suppose the proposed Sikh Censor Board will be concerned much more with films intending to depict Sikh religion, tradition and history in order to ensure that commercial interests do not tamper with well-established doctrinal or historical truth. An unambiguous set of criteria has to be laid down to judge films, allowing room for creative interpretation or reconstruction of history.  

PROF BHUPINDER SINGH, Patiala

Defining a Sikh

This is with reference to the letter “Pale of Sikhism” (December 1). According to the Anand Marriage Act of 1909, a person who believes in Guru Granth Sahib and performs all rites according to it is a Sikh (‘Cambridge History of India’ by Woolsley Haig). After the Partition in 1947, many Hindus from West Pakistan came to the Indian Punjab. They used to go to the gurdwaras for their daily prayers and had full faith in Gurbani. Some even recited the Gurbani orally. The eldest son in these families used to be a Kesadhari Sikh and the rest clean-shaven Hindus. These Hindus were called sahejdharis. BJP leader    Madan Lal Khurana once said: “Had I been the eldest among my brothers, I would have been a Keshadhari Sikh.”

Satinder Kaur Leeton, Australia

Jathedar's U-turn

As per the amended Nanakshahi calendar, the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh falls on December 28, 2014. But on November 17, 2014 Akal Takht Jathedar decided that it be celebrated on January 7, 2015. Then, on November 24, he took a U-turn and restored it to the original date i.e. December 28 for birth anniversary celebrations. Such a situation would not have arisen had a right decision been taken at the time of publication of the amended calendar.

Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib was attacked with swords and his turban fell on stage when the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh was being celebrated on January 7 in full public view and it was seen live on TV. A clash between two groups also took place at Akal Takht on June 6, 2014, in which several persons received injuries.

Surjit Singh Sarpal, Patiala

Working kids

The editorial “2014, devastating for children” (December 11) says that children below the age of 14 cannot be employed in hazardous occupations. Does it mean that in non-hazardous occupations, like domestic work, they can be employed? No. The Supreme Court has given directions regarding the manner in which children working in hazardous occupations are to be withdrawn from work and rehabilitated. Hopefully, the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on Kailash Satyarthi will sensitise the government and public to improve the lot of children.

Dr Rajender Goyal, Bahadurgarh

Child labour

The amendment of the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act will make the fight against child exploitation a little easier. It will an honour to Kailash Satyarthi, the winner of Noble peace prize. Despite efforts by his Bachapan Bachao Andolan and other agencies, the statistics of missing children in India are alarming. Kidnaping of children leading to human trafficking or child labour or sex rackets is increasing. We must give the children right to education and there must be rehabilitation centre for these children.

Neelam, Chandigarh