Sunday, January 6, 2002		Feedback

THIS refers to the write-ups: "War against India" by Rajeev Sharma and "Terrorism: The cancer spreads unhindered" by Amar Nath Wadehra and Randeep Wadehra (December 23).

War is inimical to democracy and liberty, and tends to establish despotism and bureaucracy in the country. War and terrorism shall continue till democracy is not well established in both nations.

Avtar Narain Chopra, Kurukshetra

Apropos of Manohar Malgonkar’s "The anger of Gods" (December 16), the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan was nothing short of cultural genocide and crime against humanity. Words are not adequate to express the revulsion one feels towards barbarian vandalism in the 21st century. The Taliban regime by this monstrous act has put itself outside the pale of civilisation.

What was more horrifying was that the Taliban had tried to justify its deed in the name of Islam. Could the Taliban quote any mandate from the Koran to justify what they had done in Afghanistan? A true Muslim sees history as a manifestation of Allah’s will. He accepts it and does not seek to rewrite it. People of different races, languages and religions rise and fall, play their part on the stage of history and disappear, leaving some relics behind. A Muslim does not try to obliterate these relics.

Allah commands Muslims to respect the rights of non-Muslims to have a faith of their own and to not exercise coercion in matters of faith. Allah commands Muslims to not revile the gods of other religions and to argue with non-Muslims in matters of faith in a courteous manner.

So, the action of the Taliban regime was blatantly non-Islamic.

K.M. Vashisht, Mansa

This has reference to "When the craving is psychological" by Taru Bahl (December 23). Some people are so wrapped up in themselves that they behave and act as if the entire universe, living or inanimate has been created for them. They expect sacrifices from their friends, family and fraternity without foregoing anything in return. It never occurs to them whether the other party is capable or not of living up to their expectations.

The approach of these self-seeking individuals is one-sided and highly reprehensible.

The most interesting aspect of these myopic souls is that they theorise and sermonise on the utter callousness of humanity and degeneration of human relations. They always sulk and adopt menacing postures towards those who dare point out their narrow, selfish outlook.

One must, if one can, discourage these emotional parasites by telling them frankly that human relations are a two-way affair. One should do what one can for one’s family, friends, community and country and not expect anything in return.

Chaman Lal Korpal, Amritsar

Apropos of Mohinder Singh’s article "Tackling teen troubles" (December 16), growing up is never easy, particularly when the high-spirited young people reach the age of 13 or 14. Uptil this point someone else makes most decisions for them. But suddenly the whole situation changes. This is also the time when their minds begin to expand rapidly, and each becomes an individual in his/her own right. Now they begin to put away childish things and become grown-up, but such a transition is never simple.

These striking changes always give rise to serious problems, for parents and teenagers alike. The teenager feels he is capable of handling thing for himself, and yet most of the time, he longs for the protection of home and guidance of older, wise minds. So he often becomes defiant and unreasonable, especially towards older members of the family. Parents must not be too depressed about this, for he is only trying to move out into the adult world himself.

If there is an atmosphere of love and warmth in the home even the most difficult young person will eventually pass through these teen years without permanent harm.

O.P. Sharma, Faridabad