In defence of nukes & missiles

WHEN India conducted the Shakti nuclear tests last year, President Clinton had said that India did not need to develop nuclear weapons to be counted as a strong nation. He said that democracy and economic development, not nukes and missiles, make a nation strong.

But what is happening in reality? The USA spends $4 billion every year just to maintain its nuclear weapons; its total defence budget is $350 billion.

The USA is developing theatre missile defence systems in violation of the ABM treaty.

The USA willingly and consistently turns a blind eye to the nuclear and missile proliferation by China to Pakistan and other countries.

The lessons from the merciless US aggression against Yugoslavia and Iraq are clear; be strong, or be doomed.

India is more isolated internationally than even Yugoslavia. No country will come to our defence in case of external aggression.

India must rapidly develop its nuclear, missile and other defence capabilities to the fullest. India must not succumb to pressure by the "international community" in matters of national security. Even if it means short-to-medium-term economic hardship, India must become self-sufficient in strategic security.

The price paid now will be much better than any sacrifice made later on.

MUKUND KHER
Bloomington (USA)
(In response to the Internet edition.)

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India in Canada

"Kee kehne ke kehne putt sardaran de, paunde bhangrae...!" Sounds familiar? For many young Punjabis this "Ranjit Mani" song has helped develop a new brand of Indian pop culture within the South Asian community. And it has provided our youth with an opportunity to prove to their parents and the society in which they live, that they know and understand the importance of maintaining their cultural roots.

This popular bhangra song coupled with a western beat has also been performed numerous times by a local group of talented young men, who have intelligently and carefully combined the art of bhangra with the energetic style of hip-hop. They call themselves the Dhol Connection and they've done this, not to westernise an already popular folk song but to strengthen its cultural importance and to make it accessible to the youth.

In the past few years, Indian dance groups have been sprouting up everywhere in Vancouver. Cultural shows are no longer just an endless array of filmi dance numbers, but are now an entertainment extravaganza. From jeans-wearing dhol players to the new brand of "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" kids, Canadian-born children seem more in tune with their culture than those born and brought up in the ever more westernised India.

Dozens of Indian dance schools teaching Bharatnatyam, kathak, gharba, bhangra, gidha and film styles have opened up in Vancouver. Not only do they help represent every Indian community, but they also provide an outlet for the South Asian youth that would help them to establish a base from where they can better understand their culture.

Through the influential power of music, the South Asian youth have found a way to enjoy the richness of their culture in a fun and exciting way. The popularity of dance schools has grown so dramatically that some of them attract up to 500 students. From the ages of five to 35, the "crush generation" is no longer struggling to get involved in cultural activities, rather it is jumping at the chance to take part in such endeavours.

Currently we have the largest ever population of South Asian youth. The average South Asian teenager is no longer hiding from his cultural upbringing; he is rather embracing it with open arms. Geographically, Canada may be the farthest country from India, but through new technology in mass communications and a keen interest in our culture, we have succeeded in bringing a part of India to Canada

SIMMI PURI
Vancouver (Canada)

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Poll rolls revision

Recently the Punjab government announced two holidays for banks and its own departments in connection with the preparation of electoral rolls on April 24 and May 8. But it is surprising that neither the public nor any employee knows anything regarding the revision of electoral rolls.

The employees who were on duty at the various centres were waiting for the public but very few persons turned up.

If the state government is serious enough to revise the electoral rolls it should have advertised properly in advance through the media and the district administration. Moreover, no forms were available with the staff on duty at various centres in Patiala.

It seems the government has just completed the formality of the revision of electoral rolls by wasting time and money by way of observing two holidays besides harassment to the public due to unexpected and undeclared holidays.

SUSHIL GUPTA
Patiala