India’s security interests

MR Inder Malhotra’s recent article, “Kargil & cricket: Pakistan’s double disaster”, touches a string of sensitive raw issues impinging on India’s present as well as future security interests.

It is true, as the author underscores, that “through diverse sources...India is being beseeched, on behalf of Pakistani Prime Minister, that he needs ‘help’.” Weren’t we told the same by the late Z.A. Bhutto at Shimla? All we got in response to our magnanimity was President Zia-ul-Haq’s brand new package of “Operation Topac”, and the proxy war!

What about the Karachi-based Urdu daily Takbir’s revelation that Brig (now Major-General) Azizuddin of taped conversations fame had planned the present incursion into the Dras-Kargil sector as far back as 1985, which was in an advanced stage of implementation at the time of our Lahore bus odyssey? If the Head of Government doesn’t know what his different wings are up to, what is the point in bailing him out or dealing with him?

The National Security Council convener, Mr Brajesh Mishra, has been quoted as saying that “the edict about not crossing the LoC “could change”. Mr Malhotra has observed that “this is a discreet repetition in public of the message Mr Mishra was asked to deliver to his American counterpart, Mr Sandy Beger”.

I think it will be advisable to let the sleeping dogs lie and to leave private messages and discussions where they belong to. Any premature public posturing will only unnecessarily bind the nation to a particular course of action. In this we might as well take a leaf from the American book of diplomacy known for having many strings to its bow.

When President Saddam Hussein of Iraq consulted the Madame Ambassador from the USA, for her views on his country’s projected incursion into Kuwait, she wistfully winked at the idea, but no sooner had Iraq embarked upon the atavistic adventure than the lady did the vanishing trick as in that classical paradigm in which two persons were travelling together in a train. The first one put the question, “Do you believe in ghosts?” The other replied in the negative and disappeared the very next moment.

Mr Vajpayee and Mr Mishra might sound eloquent in saying that “the invaders and occupiers of Indian territory must either be withdrawn or they will be done to death”. But it would be more appropriate to speak in a matter-of-fact Chinese accent with the drab statement that we have to defend our sovereignty whatever the cost to us or the invader. Haven’t we had enough of bravado in the wake of Pokhran-II ?

As for “the cost of operations in terms of valuable lives lost, equipment and ammunition used up and, above all, time” becoming heavier and our “vulnerability to enemy fire” increasing corresponding to the heights negotiated, to get the mountain tops vacated, well, that is the price our gallant jawans must pay for our initial failures of intelligence! Only it should be ensured that the pangs of compunction we feel should be translated into worthwhile measures for the welfare of the injured or those surviving the killed.

J.N. NARANG
Chandigarh

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Kashmir is no issue

In the case of the military conflict in Kargil, world opinion is tilting towards India, and Pakistan has been almost cornered. The reason being that India is facing a war which has been thrust upon it due to uncalled for reasons.

It is a well-known fact that Kashmir has always been a part of India. Geographically too Kashmir itself cannot afford its separation from India. Therefore, legally, historically and constitutionally Kashmir is an integral part of India.

The annexation of Kashmir in India was complete and final in the process of integration of the Indian states in the Union of India, in 1947.

In the light of these facts, the Kashmir issue is no issue. Rather it is a dead issue, and Pakistan is flogging a dead horse.

DAYA NAND
Charkhi Dadri

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Unfair to senior citizens

During my recent visit to Chandigarh I came to know of a senior citizen aged 74 years who visited the PGI for his medical treatment. Since he came from outside Chandigarh and did not possess an identity card issued by the UT Social Welfare Department, he was refused “out-of-queue” preference which frustrated him a lot.

Such discrimination between a senior citizen of Chandigarh getting “out-of-queue” preference and another senior citizen hailing from outside Chandigarh not getting the same facility under the same situation, even though much older in age, obviously looks very absurd and funny.

Chandigarh is not a city of Chandigarhians alone but of all the residents of Haryana and Punjab, too, because of its being the capital of both states. Many senior citizens from far-flung areas of these two states have to visit Chandigarh for treatment at the PGI, for dealing with legal cases in the High Court, and for various types of work in other state-level offices. Having travelled long distances, they deserve “out-of-queue” preference on a par with the senior citizens of Chandigarh.

The authorities concerned of the UT Administration should remove the said anomaly so that the senior citizens of Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh are equally entitled for the same facility at the same time and place in Chandigarh.

R.K. JAIN,
President,
Senior Citizens Council
Jagadhri

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Rain-water threat

Have you ever been to Venice, the city where water flows in the streets. You even don’t know its location! Very sad. It is situated in the centre of the Paris of India Panchkula. On any rainy day you go to Sector 10 of Panchkula in the lane of house Nos 465 to 486, you will feel yourself to be in Venice. For entering any house you will have to walk through waist-deep water. Don’t take chances of going in a car (not even think of a scooter).

If by chance you are inside any one of these houses at that time, you will be practically under house arrest for no fault of yours, for hours after the rain stops.

If you are interested in seeing a modern village street, visit the area in the evening. The twinkling light of candles (hardly any day passes when there is no power break down, from a few minutes to a few hours) and dark roads with water-filled pits show you an excellent scene of a modern village with pucca houses.

All this has been happening in this area for the past 12 years. The authorities concerned are till today unable to solve the problem. Water from the main road between Sectors 14 and 15 comes back causing the rise in the level of the water in the lane. This water enters the houses upto the height of one feet and damages household goods. The residents pass sleepless nights. Is there any “Goverdhan Dhari” who will come and rescue us from the havoc of the rains?

B.K. BANSAL
Panchkula

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Diplomatic fiasco?

A detailed analysis of the G-8 statement reveals that our diplomatic effort has not been very fruitful. The G-8 meeting held in Cologne, Germany, gave priority to dialogue instead of withdrawal of Pak-sponsored infiltrators; the very stand taken by Pakistan. Though the truth is known to the G-8 nations, they are not ready to come out with a strong statement against Pakistan. It is also clear to them that if Pakistan does not vacate Indian territory, India will have no other option than to retaliate.

This speaks poorly of India’s diplomatic and information campaign. The naked aggression has been mentioned nowhere. It seems the Vajpayee government has not taken it very seriously. Sending a secretary to such a crucial forum where a seasoned senior diplomat was a necessity shows our neglect. The Kargil crisis is a national problem. Services of Mr I.K. Gujral, Mr Manmohan Singh, Mr Pranab Mukherjee and other such seasoned hands are called for.

In addition, the internal information and consultation machinery should be well geared up. All the state governments should be informed of the forthcoming developments regularly as is necessary.

D.S. GREWAL
Ludhiana