M A I L B A G

Why do politicians talk of war now?

I agree with the editorial “Killed before fighting” (Jan 7) that we do not care about the loss of any human life. Many soldiers, CRPF men and civilians had died in Kashmir but our politicians did not think of war unless they realised how vulnerable they themselves were in the heart of Delhi. If there is war, many more would die.

Lack of training in these incidents of land mine explosion does not seem to be as good a reason as carelessness. The fatigue syndrome is there I agree, but the well-trained extremist insurgents for whom our ill-equipped police force with obsolete heavy rifles and no protective gear except some helmets is the other factor.

America has already spent more than $ 60 million since 9/11 on anti-terrorism. We need to think of other means to stop this proxy war. Learn from Israel. Their secret service identifies the militants and makes them specific targets of sniper fire, remote-controlled explosives etc. Can’t India find suicide squads to go into Pakistan? Even a war may not root out terrorists unless such specific measures are taken.

MANDEEP S NAGRA, USA

Comical expressions

The following is a selection of a few sentences that I picked up from an article that Mr Bhim S. Dahiya, a former Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, wrote in The Tribune (Jan 6).

The kind of comical language he has used to express his views certainly corroborates his analysis that things at our higher education level are in bad shape.

However, I am not much surprised at the “farmer” Vice-Chancellor’s languished linguistic skills for I being in the thick of higher education now for more than three decades know pretty well about many a such stalwart in the field called “educationists”!

But I am really astonished at the publication of such an atrociously penned article by The Tribune. I wish someone had read the article and tried to correct it (undoubtedly a difficult task) before its publication.

Can one make out any sense of the following?

“As for the implementation of these and other mandatory provisions of the UGC’s charter, while the latter seems to show indifference, the States seem to show scant regard.

“After over four decades of its creation, the UGC finds itself today faced with all sorts of defiances and derelictions committed, interestingly, not by the private sector institution, nor the autonomous universities, but by the state governments, who claim concurrent jurisdiction on education.

“Annoyed by the Vice-Chancellor’s action, the DHE is said to have sent him, a communication, which led to an amendment of the university’s statute to the effect that if the DHE’s or the Vice-Chancellor’s nominee is not agreed to a selection, the recommendation of the Selection Committee will not be approved.

“We have had several such instances in the States, especially in Haryana, Punjab Government does, of course, shows its teeth whenever its dictates are not heard.”

“Also benefits, such as pension or retirement age on 62, are denied or withheld.”

“The second best would be to remodel the old and outdated edifice of the UGC.”

There are at least six more such sentences.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

Reforming the police

I read two articles by Kiran Bedi: “Motivating’em for selfpolicing” (Dec. 15) and “From darkness to light” (Dec. 29) and found them quite thoughtful and inspiring. In these pieces, the first female IPS officer reflects very honestly and sincerely as how to make our policemen people-friendly. She seems to be really imaginative, original and even highly sensible in her basic approach towards her colleagues, subordinates and the common people.

We may not agree with her technique and methods of reforming the police but we must acknowledge that she is a creative and thoughtful police officer always itching to do something positive for the ordinary policemen and the people. The Central Government ought to encourage her in every possible way.

I would like to advise Kiran Bedi that she should seek the cooperation of other sensible and creative IPS officers (some of whom really are progressive and democratic) for reforming the police at the national level. In individual capacity, many IPS officers are working for changing our uniformed men positively by organising face-to-face meetings between the police and the public.

All such sensible police officers deserve the thanks of the common people because even after 54 years of our Independence, they feel scared of policemen and police stations. Why? During the British Raj, the police had become brutal. The fear-psychosis among the masses about the police has lingered on since then. This trend has to be reversed in the present day India with the help of humanistic and sensible police officers like Kiran Bedi.

Dr R. B. YADAV, Rewari