Terrorism is cover for drug trafficking

  TERRORISM is not just an instrument of political blackmail. It is a regular and essential cover for world-wide drug trafficking being regularly indulged in and sustained, especially by smaller countries precariously poised on the economic front.

To think of fighting terrorism with the conventional forces is also a delusion, because drug traffic needs safety and security on the borders of trafficking countries. The primary job of the border security forces of such countries is to wait and watch and very rarely to engage in any military action. This simple function leaves a lot of spare time and attention for extending a helping hand in drugs trafficking and that too not in gratis but for a regular share in the profits of drug trafficking. This tendency is gradually on the increase due to vying with the political masters, majority of whom quickly make a kill and become incredibly rich within the short span of political power in their hands. Such political masters are not content on securing huge financial status but also ensure for themselves a sound political base by nursing and controlling a solid vote bank. Jayalalitha, Laloo Prasad Yadav and Sukh Ram are the glaring examples. Such is their hold on certain groups of masses that it takes them no time to mobilise them in any right or wrong direction for their purely personal ends.

So, there is a nexus between corrupt politicians and border securities with the liaison of terrorists. Unless this nexus is vigorously broken there can be no lasting solution to the dangers of terrorism.

In view of such crucial circumstances fighting terrorism singly by different countries is not possible, especially when terrorism in itself is lucrative financially, and also serving as an instrument of political blackmail.

It is only via UNO that a serious thought can be given to crushing terrorism by formulating rules and regulations for its deterrence and prevention in the interest of the common man, irrespective of his caste, creed and country etc.

B. L. BANSAL
Chandigarh

* * * *

Corruption menace

The letter, “Law of dual cause” (Oct. 6), prompts me to say that the solution given by the writer (“we may refuse to accept the abuse by taking no notice of it”) is a scandal and shame in this century, when money taints all, money slays art and religion, and dances proudly on their prostrate corpses. Money is everything and rules everywhere. This is the curse of the present time, and the result is that honesty is dreaded.

Corruption has made the majority luxurious, self-centred, spendthrift, sensual and suicidal. It has weakened the moral stamina of the community, as the corrupt flaunt their vices and their finery in the face of whole society. Corrupt persons are not ashamed of themselves. They strut about like peacocks in the crowded streets, feed like hogs in restaurants, and waste their time at the beauty parlours, cinemas and theatres.

They openly advertise and display their follies and frivolities, their hectic criminal festivities, and their brainless, aimless “social” activities, their balls, cocktail parties, dinners, courts, races, receptions, shooting parties, petting parties, nautch parties, night clubs and brothels.

Corruption pampers the rich and pinches the honest. How can the honest people remain happy when for moving every file, crisp notes are demanded?

AVTAR NARAIN CHOPRA
Kurukshetra

* * * *

Martyrdom day

Shahidi or martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in 1675 was a unique event in the history of the world. Guru Nanak had refused to wear the sacred threat (janeyoo) of the Hindus, but in his ninth form he sacrificed himself to protect the right of Hindus to wear their mark (tilak) on forehead and wear their sacred thread.

Kashmiri Pandits not only recognise the fact but they appealed to the spirit of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji by presenting a humble plaint at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Delhi on 14.9.1993 to come to their rescue once again. In their plaint they submitted “O, True Master! had you not listened to the plaint of the 500 representatives of Kashmiri Pandits who had come to Anandpur Sahib in 1675 under the leadership of Pandit Kripa Ram and given your great sacrifice that opened everyone’s eyes we would have been obliterated from the soil of India.” Again on 16.4.1995 at the end of their Kritagya Yatra they inscribed their plaint in Hindi on a large stone (Shila) brought from Kashmir and offered it for permanent fixation at Anandpur Sahib. In it they have written “.... We owe our existence to your sacrifice way back in 1675 when on the humble plaint of Pandit Kripa Ram Datt leading a delegation of 500 pandits from Kashmir you created history by your epoch making Martyrdom....”

There is no parallel to this sacrifice anywhere in the world where the head of an emerging religion and nation offered his head to guarantee the right of followers of another religion faith and nation to practise their religion in their own way. Guru Gobind Singh Ji had himself stated about the sacrifice as under:

“Tilak Janju Raakh Prabh Taaka. Kio Badu Kallu Meh Saaka

Sees Dia Parr Sirar Na Diya.”

(Lord saved their tilak and janju and performed a great deed in the Kali Age. He gave his head but not the resolve).

November 24 should be declared a national holiday and human rights day.

KULDIP SINGH
Mohali

* * * *

Growth of tourism in HP

It is a globally acknowledged fact that tourism is a means of rapid socio-economic growth. The state of Himachal Pradesh, known as “dev bhoomi” (abode of gods), has several scenic spots. The belt from Chandigarh to Shimla bears a huge potential for the growth of tourism industry. Due to its proximity with Chandigarh and Delhi than Kulu Manali and Dalhousie, where glamourous tourist spots have been established, there remains easy and regular flow of travellers and tourists on this route.

However, this potential has not so far been fully exploited by the State Government due to acute stringency of funds. Besides, certain politicians of the erstwhile Congress regimes in the state having their vested interests, were not in favour of permitting the amendment to the controversial Section 118(1) of the HP Land Reforms and Tenancy Act, 1978, out of narrow political considerations. Despite the discouraging behaviour of such politicians, the developers and entrepreneurs from the neighbouring State of Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh have, of their own, done a lot during the last decade for establishing a few attractive tourists spots in the belt.

The tourists, of course, always desire to witness new and wonderful things. They are enticed by the thrilling atmosphere, scenic beauty, peace and pollution-free environment. These developers have spread no efforts on their part in providing these tasteful comforts at their resorts.

For the fuller growth of tourism in this belt, clean and clear title of land is a pre-requisite. As such, the present state government should immediately take appropriate steps for carrying out amendments to the said controversial Section 118(1). They should fully encourage and provide incentives to the willing developers for taking up the tourists projects in this belt. This will not only enable HP to occupy the first place on the tourist map of the country, but will also go a long way in eradicating the acute poverty and backwardness of the State.

B. S. CHAUHAN
Chandigarh

* * * *

Vegetarians unite!

Vegetarian societies and their members are celebrating World Vegetarian Day on any day during the first fortnight of October, 98. On this occasion we focus the attention of the readers to the proven scientific fact that a well-balanced vegetarian diet has a greater potentiality to fight deadly diseases like cancer, heart attack, kidney failure, etc. Besides, vegetarianism is environment friendly and conforms to the moral and ethical principles that we have no right to take the life of any creature when we cannot confer life on it! Besides, this is also in accordance with the duty cast by Article 51A(g) of the Constitution of India, which enjoins every citizen to have compassion towards all living creatures.

A well-balanced vegetarian diet consisting of plenty of fruits, vegetables, cereals and pulses is highly nutritive and provides adequate quantities of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and avoids the bad (LDL) cholesterol which is dangerous for health. We appeal to all persons who are lovers of health and who believe in the ethical principle of non-killing or Ahimsa, to celebrate the day and remain vegetarian for the rest of life by avoiding eating any kind of meat, fish, eggs, etc.

R. N. LAKHOTIA
New Delhi