M A I L B A G

Emotional intelligence, not envy and pride

This is in reference to Mr Satya Parkash Singh’s article “A close look at modern growth strategy: emotional intelligence, not envy and pride” (Aug 28). He has tried to explain and attribute all maladies afflicting the modern society to “envy and pride syndrome”. I want to stretch it a little bit. The present sorry state of affairs of our society is directly linked to all-round decay in moral values. Self-aggrandisement, cheating, dishonesty, greed, materialism, falsehood, cadism, sadism, muscle power, money-power, oppression, corruption, exploitation, club-law and discrimination are ruling the roost. Apotheosis of Phoolan Devi and popular exoneration of Jayalalitha are shining examples of decay in moral values. They cannot be explained on the basis of “envy pride syndrome” only.

The remedy suggested in the article is also not appropriate and adequate. The “emotional intelligence” theory advocated in the article to develop leadership qualities is not the treatment of the degenerating social values. Although emotional intelligence is the most important prerequisite for contentment and happiness, it is a very limited approach to social development and regeneration. Like all other traits of human behaviour positive or negative, emotional intelligence may also have something to do with the genome. To pose as emotionally intelligent is quite taxing for the body. It may cause psychosomatic disorders and trigger hypertension, diabetes, asthma etc. Being natural self is more congenial to the body.

The “World Health Definition” of Health envisages, “Not mere absence of disease but constant and positive state of mental, social and physical well-being.” According to this definition, almost 99 per cent of the society is sick.

The first two deficiencies in health — mental and social ill-health — can be controlled by propagation of positive thinking, and moral and spiritual values.

I agree with the concluding part of the article that cultivation of positive teachings of religions and philosophers can ameliorate the lot of the decaying society the world over. Two more unanswered questions are: what is the role of genetics in human nature? And the role of population explosion in the de-generation of society?

Dr J. P. Sethi, Kalanaur (Yamunanagar)

Book on Khushwant

I am writing an archival history of my father, the writer, Khushwant Singh, for Roli Books. I am in need of correspondence, in the form of letters or postcards, that anybody has had with him. I am also on the lookout for old photographs of him. If there are any interesting and true anecdotes relating to him that anybody has personal experience of, that would also be useful for the book. Please send all this material to me at my father’s address, which is: 49-E-Sujan Singh Park, New Delhi. 110003.

RAHUL SINGH