M A I L B A G

Bargaining for tunnel

After going through Mr Arvind Bhandari's article "Gas pipeline and Pakistan factor" (The Tribune, August 29), one finds that Pakistan has yet to give any guarantee for the safe passage of the pipeline through its territory. Even when it does so, what reliance can India place on it in the light of the breach of the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration.

The only way out for India is to create a mechanism which is a deterrent and can also be used as a retaliatory weapon as and when necessary.

Geographically, India is in a position to paralyse the supply of water to canals in Pakistan by means of a tunnel connecting the rivers Chenab and Ravi somewhere in Himachal Pradesh. The mere construction of this tunnel will not mean a breach of any law or treaty, not even that of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. It will not mean crossing the LoC or causing any bloodshed. Had this tunnel been in position, there would have been no Kargil or no hijacking of the Indian plane to Kandahar.

A feasibility report for this tunnel will reveal that its length and cost are insignificant as compared to that of the gas pipeline, and that it will be a profitable bargain for India to construct this tunnel not only for the safety of the pipeline but also as a counter-measure to cross-border terrorism.

S.P. MALHOTRA
formerly Engineer-in-Chief,
Irrigation Deptt, Haryana
Panchkula

Veerappan: worst precedent

How strange it looks that Veerappan, a sandalwood smuggler, who has killed as many as 300 persons sitting in a forest, is dictating his terms to the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for the release of Dr Rajkumar, kidnapped by him.

He is demanding a huge sum of money and amnesty for himself besides the release of certain hardcore criminals, and both state governments have shown their inability to tackle the crisis. They have virtually bowed down before the dreaded bandit by conceding his demands one by one, setting the worst precedent in the country.

One wonders as to what the governments will do if tomorrow other Veerappans come up from the underworld.

R.S. VARMA
Karnal

Unified command’s failure

This refers to the two articles by Proxy war in Kashmir by Gen Harwant Singh (retd) and How to meet the IED threat by Col P.K. Vasudeva (retd), published in The Tribune on August 31, on the Kashmir situation.

It is surprising that the government is sleeping over the killing of innocent civilians and security personnel, and is not taking any stern action against militants. It has failed in protecting the lives and property of Kashmiris.

The writers have rightly shown concern regarding the failure of the unified command in J&K because of the lack of political will. The National Security Council must formulate an effective strategy to thwart the dirty designs of Pakistan.

COL U.C. KATOCH (Retd)
Kullu

Power of prayer

Apropos to "Of life sublime", focused on the "Power of prayer", Mr J. L. Gupta rightly highlights the omnipresence and perpetual bliss of the Almighty pervading the universe. Undoubtedly, today's materialism and speedy stressful life are leading us directionless and making tension-ridden and diseased in body, mind and spirit, thus creating disharmony in every sphere.

Prayers offered at His altar with devotion have the power of bestowing ecstasy, solace and contentment. With humility and unquestionable faith, we should surrender our will and false ego before the Creator for His grace, mercy, glory and blessings. His "divine touch" will certainly metamorphose our lives like that of Valmiki and Mirabai.

CHANDER SHEKHAR JOLLY
Nabha

A personal matter

To take out a procession on the birth of a child to Priyanka Vadra and that too with big placards (as shown in a photograph published in the print edition of The Tribune, August 31) is nothing short of a vulgar display of essentially a highly personal matter to the Nehru-Gandhi family. It is depressing to see a national political party to stoop so low in ethics.

ASHWINI KUMAR
Faridkot