M A I L B A G

Time for introspection

The recent revelations by Tehelka.com and the subsequent action of the opposition parties and the ruling alliance call for introspection at all levels. In this country a certain amount of corruption is assumed to be a part of the system.

The politicians who are raising a hue and cry over these revelations, have forgotten that under their regime the country was rocked by a number of scandals. They should also remember that their former Prime Minister, Mr P.V. Narsimha Rao, has been found guilty of bribery. None of the ministers, officials or Congress office-bearers resigned at that time. They used their power, influence and tricks of the trade to wriggle out of the situation.

These acts of the Congress have brought the country to a point where the masses accept corruption to be a past of the system.

Leaders of the Congress and its part governments have set a bad example for others by accepting bribes, interfering with the findings of various commissions and willfully destroying the character of the nation.

SUKPREET SINGH GIANI, Mohali

For a word of praise

The Vajpayee Government values Western praise more than anything else. All that India has received for refusing to defend itself against Pakistani terrorists is a little praise from the West. The situation is deteriorating rapidly. The terrorists are killing people with impunity, and the long-term penetration of India will be devastating for us. But our leaders seem to be happy with some Western praise, naively assuming that the West is a just and friendly entity.

If people like Mr Vajpayee were running a business and doing negotiations with competitors based on their current approach, they would have gone bankrupt in no time. But at least in business there are checks on the leaders. No business will be happy with losing money and market share for praise from competitors. Bad results usually mean the ouster of those running the business.

D. N. PHANDIS, Mumbai

Forgotten values

Mr Advani, Mr Pramod Mahajan and other apologists of the Vajpayee Government are doing their best to prove that the scandal exposed by Tehelka.com is not real. All these persons with a Sangh background have forgotten the values of honesty, nationalism and integrity they are supposed to have imbibed in the shakhas, and are keen only to preserve their seats of power.

Instead of acknowledging the corruption and taking immediate and stern steps to punish the guilty, the BJP leaders are emulating those whom they have been attacking for corruption. These leaders not only have corrupted the BJP, but also permanently damaged the image of the RSS.

S. N. RAMI REDDY, Vijaywada

GJU convocations

The G.J. University, Hisar, came into existence on November 1, 1995. Before that it was known as the Post Graduate Research Centre (PGRC) of Kurukshetra University. We got admission to the PGRC through Kurukshetra University in September 1995. On completion of our course in 1997, we were given the option either to have KU or GJU degrees. We all opted for GJU degrees.

When our classes started, the GJ campus was no bigger than a primary school. We had inadequate staff, no hostel, make-shift class rooms, no canteen, no water to drink and for some time we did not have chairs in the classrooms. But despite all odds, the students uncomplainingly and patiently cooperated with the university authorities.

Passing out as the first batch of the new university was not easy, but we did not give up. Today wherever we are, we make our teachers and the university proud of us. It was shocking to know that the university had held its first convocation without this first batch. We are told that our degrees will be sent to us by post. I would like to ask the university authorities why they are forgetting those who were part of the institution’s initial struggle.

AMIT KUMAR, Hisar