Office intrigues

APROPOS of Rashmi Chugh’s "Office guiles, wiles... and missiles" (November 23), the greatest curse of professionalism is that it has completely destroyed amongst professional the sense of fellow feeling, social belonging and moral responsibilities. One’s professional growth has become a war where one uses the weapons of sabotage, plotting, intimidating, cheating etc and where one believes in no one, howsoever close or sympathetic they may appear to be.

In our professional value system the clever, crooked, cunning and the dishonest people should have no place. Of course materialistic progress and scientific and technological development are essential and one must be sincerely devoted to them but the ultimate goal of life is not rolling in millions — sleepless, friendless and tension-ridden. One must aim at a lasting peace of mind and cordial human relations.

Ved Guliani, Hisar

In his article "A policeman who is a poet too" (November 23) Khushwant Singh has rightly observed that Keki Daruwalla is "a very good poet, who dwells on a wide range of subjects and has a sharp ear for the music of words".

Deprivation and misery, distress and torment, anguish and suffering, disease and death move him acutely. Daruwalla’s favourite images are of violence. Over the years, Daruwalla has been moving from subtle and acute perception to a more inward kind of poetry.

Deepak Tandon, Panchkula

Apropos "Cultivating the art of conversation" by Khushwant Singh (November 09), the writer has highlighted some important facts to keep in mind while holding a good conversation. If a person has nothing in his mind and brain, he won’t be able to utter a single word before a group of people.

To hold a good conversation only a good speaker isn’t sufficient. A good listener must also oblige. If a speaker is well read, widely travelled, holds a healthy conversation on varied subjects and the listener is least interested, he’ll definitely make the speaker uncomfortable.

To make an interesting conversation, the speaker must be adept in articulating his opinions confidently... without digressing frequently.

Vandana Arora, Sonepat

This refers to "Have you seen God?" by Khushwant Singh (October 19). According to religious texts, prophets and sages down the ages have seen God and have also shown Him to others without any efforts on their part. Going by historical evidence, any man anywhere can see God at any time when he submits to a prophet who himself knows God and can also show him to others.

C.L. Gulati, Chandigarh