The potential of atomic energy

THIS refers to the article "Better than the best", by Ashwini Bhatnagar (Sept 26). The author has unfolded the potential of atomic energy in turning around the economic condition of the country. That there is more to the atomic energy programme in India than just the bomb, has been shown. It is heartening to note that the technology developed by BARC is being used by hospitals around the country. It was Pandit Nehru’s vision of the peaceful uses of the atom which led to the founding of these great institutions.

India has 50 per cent of the world’s total deposits of naturally occurring thorium — enough to generate 350,000 MW of power for over 300 years. We must therefore go in for a reactor strategy based on the thorium fuel cycle as it promises an environmentally clean source of energy.

ONKAR CHOPRA
Ludhiana

II

The nation should be proud of the scientists engaged in our nuclear programmes. The level of competence displayed by the BARC has been rare.

Our scientists have managed to harness the power of the atom for peaceful purposes They are now trying to utilise its potential for improving the economic condition of the country. Aware of the limited reserves of coal, oil and gas, they have emphasised the need to turn to nuclear power as a source of energy. The design and fabrication of our power plants speak high of our scientists’ technological skills.

But one wishes that our political leadership had not mired our scientific and technological achievements in political bickerings and internal squabbles for petty political gains.

VED GULIANI
Hisar

Tea tales

I.M. Soni’s write-up "Tasteful tea tales" (September 19) was very interesting. Nowadays, tea is the most commonly consumed beverage and is served on every occasion. Lucubrators guzzle tea to fight off sleep late at night. Some people add a pinch of pulverised seeds of anise to the beverage, not just for flavour, but also as a medicine for expelling intestinal gas.

Recently, a leading cancer expert P.K. Krishnaswamy, director of diagnostic services at Manipal Hospital,Bangalore, said that tea contains antioxidants, called flavindoids, which help in neutralising free radiclas. These cause damages that contribute to the formation or progression of cancer, stroke or heart ailments. According to him, tea reduces the chances of developing these dreaded diseases.

BHAGWAN SINGH
Qadian

Laugh away your blues

Ha, ha-ha for good health by R.C. Sharma (September 26) made delightful reading. In life there are many things that vex us. We should ignore these little incidents instead of getting depressed.

Every morning men and women gather in parks in various cities to begin their day with half-an-hour of exercise and laughter. Laughter clubs, as these early morning groups are now called, have cured people of stress, depression and anxiety. There are 26 laughing clubs in Mumbai alone. There are similar clubs in Ahmedabad, Ahmednagar, Calcutta, Baroda, Pune, Patna, Delhi, Ambala and Chandigarh.

Laughing, whether it helps physically or not, definitely helps the mind. Laughter is a potent weapon that helps to fight all types of trouble.

According to Acharya Rajneesh: "Laughter is tremendously healthy. Playfulness is as sacred as any prayer, or may be more

sacred than any prayer, because playfulness in a relaxed state of dancing will relax you. And the truth is only possible in a relaxed state of let-go, the impossible starts happening, the miracle starts happening. Let go is the

secret of meditation. If the world even for 24 hours, decides to laugh at every thing, there will be a great revolution in the world. It will

be a deep cleansing phenomenon, it will clean away all dirt".

VIJAY SHEEL JAIN
Ludhiana

II

"He who laughs.... lasts!", said Goethe the German philosopher. One should use laughter as a safety valve to keep oneself sane, and relaxed. One should inject laughter into tense situations

to save the day one should learn to laugh at oneself. We do not stop laughing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop laughing.

Let’s meet the challenge of life with the art of laughter.

O.P. SHARMA
Faridabad

Learn responsibility

The article "Learn to be responsible" by Taru Bahl (September 19) was educative. The writer has explained the things which a responsible person does and has also enumerated the things which an irresponsible person avoids. Such articles help in infusing a spirit of responsibility in the youth.

SATISH SHARMA
Kaithal

II

Look at the word "responsibility" — "response — ability" — the ability to choose your response. Our behaviour is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. Taking an initiative does not mean being pushy, obnoxious or aggressive. It means recognising your responsibility to make things happen.

Accepting responsibility is a positive aspect of your attitude which will not only change your life, but your world as well. A responsible man has in him the personal quality of initiative which prods him from a position of inertia to movement, change and action.

VIVEK SINH MAR GIRAN
Kurukshetra

Neglected heritage

I read with amusement the article, "A neglected heritage" by D.C. Sharma (Sept 12). The architecture and the style of these temples definitely point to their origin in the 9th century. They are built in a strictly Nagar style of structures; popularly known as Shikhara temples, while the author claims that they originated during the period of Mahabharata. Again, he says, "Fifty kilometres east of these temples stands another cluster of 15 rock-cut temples of Masrur made by the Pandavas in 8th century". I was surprised to know that the Pandavas existed in 8th century, moreover, the number of temples in the Masrur complex are 13, including the half-constructed and half-chiselled rock temples not 15 as claimed by the author. In fact the author seems to be ignorant about the architecture and its historical perspective (of these temples).

TIRATH SINGH JAMWAL
Jammu