It’s army, once again

THIS refers to the article: "It’s army, once again" by Syed Nooruzzaman (October 24).

The Pakistan army has always had a strong position on the political horizon of Pakistan and whenever this position is threatened, it has resorted to a coup.

This is the sixth army coup since 1947. Although Pakistan army has now assumed direct power, indirectly it has always been there. It is rather unfortunate that Pakistan army is becoming a fundamentalist state.

India should expect a stepping up of the proxy violence in J & K as the Pak army under Gen Musharraf has had a closer nexus with the armed wings of fundamentalist organisations.

ONKAR CHOPRA
Ludhiana

Christ’s visit

Apropos of "Did Christ visit India?" by Gurmukh Singh Sandhu (October 17), historians feel that the existence of the Jewish-style tomb of Yuzasaf, "a prophet of peace" who came from a foreign land, which is located in Rauzabal in Srinagar, is a proof that Christ visited Kashmir.

The striking similarity between the names Yuzasaf and Yusu (a Hebrew version of Jesus) as well as their teachings, suggests that Yuzasaf and Jesus were one and the same person.

The Five Muftis of the Mughal court gave a document to a person named Rahim Khan appointing him the caretaker of the tomb of Prophet Yuzasaf, who migrated to Srinagar in King Gopalatta’s reign.

A French author’s book The Serpent of Paradise mentions a legend that Christ was in Kashmir or Kashir (‘Ka’ meaning same as and ‘Shir’ meaning Segria).

Bhavishega Mehapurana, an ancient Sanskrit text written by Vyasa, describes Yuzasaf as Yussbaota, a fair-complexioned holy man who wore white clothes and travelled from one place to another, lest he be recognised and prosecuted.

Even Buddhists identify their reformer Avalokitesvara as Christ who died at the age of 112, being buried in the tomb of Yuzasaf in Srinagar.

ROSHNI JOHAR
Shimla

II

We’ve had important India personalities who spoke of Jesus Christ visiting India. One, as mentioned in the article was Shri Sathya Sai Baba. Another was Shri Osho Rajneesh. This concept came from Christ’s earlier visit to India. Osho also said that Christ once again came to India and also died in India in Kashmir, where his tombstone, with inscriptions in Hebrew, still exists in Pahalgam.

KIRAN DEEP SINGH JARG
Ludhiana

Sincerity

This refers to Taru Bahl’s article "Sincerity leads to success" (October 24), Sincerity pays, but not always. Welcome are the virtues of sincerity and devotion, but what if they give rise to agony and exploitation? In offices we have seen that sincere employees are over-worked, while the less sincere ones get away with little or no work.

Look at the politicians, for instance, who are hypocrites. They thrive on the innocent. The ministers make millions but their secretaries and subordinates get involved for nothing. Is this the reward for sincerity?

Those who are sincere ultimately gain. They are respected in society and live a life which is worth-living. On the contrary those who are not sincere or those who merely profess sincerity are despised and lead a life of seclusion.

SURINDER KUMAR MARWAHA
Delhi

II

Sincerity should be total and absolute. If we are not sincere, we are bound to fail. Whie doing anything, put in a sincere effort. Sincerity doesn’t prompt one to ask ‘what should be done?’ The decent thing is done by instinct, without much of a fuss. Sincerity is as essential as purity, patience and perseverance to success.

O.P. SHARMA
Faridabad

King consumer

This refers to "Consumer can be King" by M.R. Pai (October 24). Consumers are still not aware of consumer protection laws. This information can be provided by voluntary groups. However such groups are rare.

More often than not the concessions made are a ploy to keep the consumer quiet and avoid adverse publicity. When it comes to essential commodities, public distribution system, utility service etc, it is the policies, which cannot be taken up in consumer courts, that are at fault.

The average consumer is still far from being a ‘king’ Despite the vigilance and some heartening decisions, consumers courts still have a long way to go.

VIJAY SHEEL JAIN
Ludhiana