Crisis of casualness

THIS refers to Ms Poonam I. Kaushish’s “Crisis of casualness” (Oct 13). Decision making and the will to say a firm “no” conspicuously lack in our politico-administrative system. And their “yes” is rarely accompanied by the desired positive action. Hence postponement as the hall-mark of our diplomacy – be it abroad or within the country.

On the international front we have failed to fix up our priorities, and our decisions have rarely displayed self-conviction. Thus half-baked and half-hearted implementation has generally led to a quick sense of guilt. How else can one explain our glorious tests in Pokhran, followed by an immediate damage control exercise and desperate bids to appease the big powers, particularly the USA?

Such a lack of sense of direction and conviction has been more prominent in our internal political set-up. Political instability has led to unholy alliances in quest of power, resulting in an economic disorder and social chaos. This has also encouraged caste and communal divide.

Our administration stands completely broken under political pressure. Contemptuously breaking the laws, proudly indulging in scams and scandals and encouraging and shielding criminals are the inherent factors of our political system, which our bureaucratic “steel frame” has failed to withstand.

Today we have commerce through corruption, administration through bribery and politics through blackmail. Where does one expect meaningful decisions and dedicated implementation? We need to make some hard decisions and demand accountability. But political “thick-skins” have their own problems and priorities.

VED GULIANI
Hisar

Physician, heal thyself!

Some time back, Mr Richard Celeste, the US Ambassador to India, pontificated that Kashmir was not a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, but an international one.

The Americans have worked themselves into a queer, if not dangerous, psychological fixation in which the victim keeps on repeating his soliloquies in a grand design of megalomaniac dreams. And then he becomes uninhibited enough to collect crowds, and repeats his performance before them.

And this being the American century, our good friends from Washington, in a fit of amorous abandon (a la the President’s exploits with Ms Lewinsky), vis-a-vis our neighbour Pakistan, have started staging their extended soliloquies on the Indian soil, oblivious of the limits of hospitality that we may be stretched to in this phantasmagloria. They even forget that in creating the Kashmir question, they have unmistakably been among the original sinners. Or is it the sheer weight of the sin that has involuntarily prodded the affluent one into soliloquies before the chosen ones? All we would say to the USA is: physician, heal thyself!

J. N. NARANG
Chandigarh

HP’s tourism potential

Nature has gifted the State of Himachal Pradesh a very large number of fascinating tourist spots. These spots abound in scenic beauty and heavenly serenity. But these spots could not be developed fully so far by the state government due to acute paucity of funds.

In particular, the belt stretching from Chandigarh to Shimla has got great potential for developing the tourist industry. More so, it is nearer Chandigarh and Delhi than Dalhousie, Kulu and Manali, where a number of fine tourist resorts have been established. There remains a regular flow of tourists on this route throughout the year.

Needless to say that the behaviour of the erstwhile Congress regimes in the state had altogether been discouraging towards the willing developers/entrepreneurs. These politicians, having vested interests and narrow political considerations, were not ready for carrying out amendments to the controversial Section 118(1) of the H.P. Land Reforms & Tenancy Act, 1978, which has been a barricade in offering a clear and clean title of land, most essential for developmental activities.

Despite all these impediments, a few developers of the neighbouring state have endeavoured for establishing some attractive tourist spots in the belt during the past few years.

Full exploitation of tourism potential in this belt can be undertaken by developers only when they get a clear and clean land title. Therefore, the state should lose no time in making appropriate amendments to the present controversial legislation for encouraging tourism-related projects in the region.

(Col) AJIT SINGH
Mohali

Philosophy & ethics

“Philosophy is one of the cohesive forces that wield an aggregation of individuals into a well-ordered community”. Social harmony and political unity are not possible without a common philosophy that trains all citizens to strive for the same goal and work in the same spirit.

The State must draw unto itself all the brains and brawn, all the light and love, all the power and passion that are available at any moment in the whole nation. It must be a jealous mistress and say to its citizens: “I brook no rivals in your affection.

Love me and me alone. Serve me and me alone. I am the first and the last, the alpha and omega for you all. Ye shall have no other idols beside me.”

Philosophy is the theory of the best life for individuals and communities, while ethics is practical philosophy, which applies the theory and embodies it in social customs and institutions. The State cannot be maintained without a common system of ethics. The State must teach its philosophy and its ethics to all its children.

Do we citizens know the answer to this first and deepest concern: “How can I make the best of this life?” Upon this answer, the life and death of the State depends.

AVTAR NARAIN CHOPRA
Kurukshetra

Tailpiece

Guess as to what the Vajpayee government has changed the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?”

Answer: An onion a day keeps everybody away.

K.J.S. AHLUWALIA
Amritsar