Looking for an early poll

THE front page editorial on April 18 ("Early poll is the answer") raised the following questions: What is politics all about in this country? Is it about good governance? Or is it about staying in power by hook or crook?

Old-fashioned people like me have heard of only three types of motivation for a person seeking a high political office: power, prestige and service to people; or a combination of the three. Having occupied the office, one may fall a prey to corrupt influences as per the dictum, "absolute power corrupts absolutely", or as Oscar Wilde said, "The only way to overcome a temptation is to yield to it."

What we are seeing now is a new breed of politicians successful in occupying high positions, not so much for prestige or service (to people) but for sheer power as an enabling instrument to extricate themselves from prosecution on charges of corruption and nepotism. As a cynic observed wryly, "No big crook has ever gone to jail in India."

We have witnessed AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha's brazen attempts to capture the Prime Minister's office. We also know that Mrs Sonia Gandhi is tipped to be the next Prime Minister if only the Congress succeeds in forming its government after the elections.

What recourse does the hapless citizen has under such circumstances for thwarting the attempts of this new breed of politicians to go unpunished? Judicial activism -- which has attracted criticism from certain quarters, may be due to vested interests -- seems to be the only answer. Public interest petitions should be allowed free play in the case of politicians.

KANGAYAM R. RANGASWAMY
East Hubler Road,
PA (USA)

(In response to The Tribune’s Internet edition.)

Elusive majority: I do not think that a mid-term poll is likely to throw up a clear majority for any one party. We are almost certain to get another "hung Parliament". No party (except, of course, the BJP) has been enthusiastic about a snap poll. Important leaders in almost all camps privately concede that they may not do as well now as in 1998.

In the current scenario no political party seems to offer a beacon of hope in this area of darkness. The world over political parties have on hand fully trained professionals for political management. For the effective functioning of a party in a country of the size and diversity of India, it must have a mechanism to monitor the state of opinion over linguistic, communal, regional, socio-economic and ideological issues, along with its varied manifestations which differ from place to place. Only then can a ruling party rule with a measure of effectiveness and the Opposition prepare itself to step in as and when the time comes.

K.M.VASHISHT
Mansa

The best course: It will be good if the country goes in for another general election at the earliest.

Unfortunately, politics has become a game of numbers, and democracy has been reduced to unprincipled compromises. But there cannot be stability with any hotchpotch exercise. The best course will be to go back to the voters and seek a clear mandate. In the absence of such a mandate the government at the Centre will remain weak and unstable.

M.L. ANAND
Ludhiana

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Book post articles

The Union Finance Minister recently proposed a steep hike in the postage rates as applicable for the book post articles to be despatched. From the existing rate of Re 1 the proposed postage charges for book post have been hiked to Rs 2. This is going to adversely affect the social and cultural development of the country because various social and charitable organisations will find it very difficult to communicate with their members.

The increase in the postal charges in respect of book post articles should be withdrawn because generally the communication which goes in this form is from a large number of cultural, social and service clubs.

SUBHASH LAKHOTIA
New Delhi

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Exams made easy

I relished the editorial “Copying enters cable age” (April 19), highlighting a novel technique of “mass copying” put on trial in Muzaffarnagar town of Uttar Pradesh the other day.

The evil of mass copying in examinations has flourished over the past few years by leaps and bounds and, as a result, it has spread its tentacles incredibly wide. So much so that the examinations seem to have been reduced virtually to a farce.

The things on the front in question now seem poised for a revolutionary breakthrough, thanks to human ingenuity aided by remarkable scientific and technological advancement. The examinations, which hithertofore used to be a nightmare, seem to have been made now much, much easier. Isn’t it bliss to be a young examinee these days?

TARA CHAND
Ambota (Una)

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Gurus’ teachings

I read the editorial “a grand scheme, but...” that appeared in the issue of The Tribune dated April 15. The Punjab government has announced grand ventures — setting up a city called Anandgarh, making a six-lane highway to connect Chandigarh with Anandpur Sahib and starting a Rs 500 crore Information Technology Institute.

These ventures are of materialistic nature. Materialistic well-being without spiritualism, purity, honesty and truthfulness is not in accordance with the teachings of all the Gurus. As already evident from the meaning of the Khalsa Panth (Khalsa/ Khalus — a Persian word — means pure and Panth means society), the high moral values like purity and sacrifice against oppression and tyranny are the hallmark of the teachings of all the Gurus.

In the given circumstances an institute should be set up for spreading the messages of the Gurus among the students of schools and colleges in Punjab.

RIKHI DASS THAKUR
Palbhu (Hamirpur)

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Realm of poetry

This refers to Mr L.H. Naqvi’s write-up, “Poetic injustice” (April 13). From time to time an outcry arises on the subject of the use of arts in general and of poetry in particular. This strikes me as very odd. Why should everything in the world necessarily be “of use”. And yet poetry has the beauty of the lily; it is as unseeing to ask what is the use of poetry as it would be to ask what is the use of religion?

The poet stands besides the priest in his work of restoring the faith of mankind in God, and in the heart of man, in this terrible age when the only faith seems to belong to the grey and murderous creeds. A poet is first and foremost an artist who fascinates us by the witchery of his words. Poetry is an essential element of liberal education.

Elibenzer Elliot described poetry as “Impassioned truth”, while John Stuart Mill described it as “Man’s thought tinged by his feelings”. Mathew Arnold regarded poetry as “Criticism of life, mainly on the side of morality”.

Poetry is the definition of reality. Such poetry as Wordsworth, for instance, teaches us that God is in everything, in stone and in straw. Reasons and tranquillity were the champion angels of Wordsworth as he walked through the world made splendid by the light of the genius which illuminated but did not transform. Take the following lines:

To the earth and the every common sight

To me did seem apparelled in celestial light.

VIVEK SINH MAR GIRAN
Kurukshetra

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Tailpiece

Son: Daddy, how should the winning parties appoint new PM?

Father: They should float a global tender calling all the countries of the world to come and run our country. The receipts from the highest bidder can be shared by the politicians.

Son: But, daddy, are we slaves?

Father: Definitely yes. Earlier we were slaves of the British, and now we are slaves of politicians, who are generally dishonest!

S. K. HANS
Jalandhar