M A I L B A G

Globalise morality for peace

Today moral degradation all over the world is a serious threat to the mankind.

Corruption, poverty, human rights violation, environment pollution, repression of women and children are the results of intolerable moral degradation. So, to combat all these problems, a global moral development programme and its proper practice has become imperative.

In this regard, it is heartening to know that an international organisation, “Foundation for Moral Development Approach (FMDA)” from Bangladesh has initiated a global moral development programme.

The main objective of the FMDA is to create moral awareness among the world population. Many humanitarian and peace-loving people are opening FMDA branches in many countries.

Since the moral degradation now is a global problem, the world body, the United Nations should come forward to solve it. Keeping this view in mind, the FMDA has sent a proposal to the United Nations for global moral development and world peace.

E. H. REEMA
San Marcos, California (USA)

Faqir Aziz-ud-din

The correct name of the most important of the diplomats of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s court was Faqir Aziz-ud-din and not Fakiruddin Aziz, as mentioned in the news item “Ranjit bicentenary function in Lahore” (Nov 30). “Faqir” was the title of the family.

He was a pupil of Hakim Rai, a famous physician of Lahore. Ranjit Singh engaged him as his health adviser. But in view of his intelligence and sagacity, he always took his counsel even on personal, private and political matters.

The Faqir was a well-behaved and sweet-tongued scholar of Persian and Arabic. He served as the channel of communication between the Royal master and his European guests. In the wake of a partial paralysis of Maharaja’s tongue, only he could correctly interpret his words. Sir Henry Lawrence wrote, inter alia, “Aziz-ul-din is his master’s mouthpiece and most ably he fills the office. He interprets a word or even a sign and throws Ranjit’s meaning at once into beautiful language, embellishing sound sense with rich and appropriate imagery: in his own phraseology, ‘he is a parrot of sweet sound’....”

According to Lepel Griffin, the Faqir was the ablest and most honest of all courtiers of the Maharaja.

His descendant, Faqir Sayyad Waheed-ud-din, has written a beautiful book — The Real Ranjit Singh — and also set up in his house in Lahore a museum to highlight the achievements of the Maharaja.

bhagwan singh
Qadian

Junior ministers

This refers to your editorial ‘No work, all pay’ (Nov 29).

The junior ministers of the Central government deserve a word of appreciation for highlighting the fact that they do not have enough work. This perhaps indicates the absence of clear cut delegation of power, system and procedures in the ministries. The junior ministers of today may be the Cabinet ministers of tomorrow, and once they are placed in position they are required to be adequately groomed to handle the complex problems of the ministries. The onus to acquire the required competence is on the junior ministers themselves.

When Dr Kiran Bedi was sidelined and posted as DGP Tihar jail, she converted this adverse posting into opportunity and transformed the jail from virtual torture cells to prayer and vocational centres and won the prestigious Magsaysay award.

There is so much inefficiency and corruption virtually inbuilt into the system and the junior ministers should be able to find enough work to keep themselves sufficiently engaged to make their positive contribution if they really want to serve the country.

t. s. chawla
Mohali

Rent Act

This refers to the news item that the Punjab Government has amended the Rent Act to help the NRIs. But the defence personnel have been left high and dry. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had accepted and approved the proposal for suitable amendment of the Property Act for disposing of landed and other property disputes concerning ex-serviceman and serving defence personnel.

The defence personnel are bewildered that the approved proposal is yet to become a reality even after two years.

G. C. THAKUR
Mohali