M A I L B A G

Protecting our own value system

Does the “Massive acceptance of the Western festivals”, to wit, the celebration of St.Valentine's Day, signify the moral decay among youth? This is the poser constructed by The Tribune for its readers in the light of the prompting letter of Dr Suente Holik (The Tribune, February 17, 2003). Responding instantly, I am hesitant to call it a “moral decay”. I would rather see it as a reflection of happy-go-lucky situation borne out of immature understanding of the real. Nevertheless, why it is so?

Incidentally, only last week (February 8, 2003), I had the privilege of presiding over a lecture in the Panjab University campus organised under the aegis of Vidya Bharati, which is perhaps the biggest non-governmental organisation committed to impart wholesome education to young boys and girls from all sections of society. It has about 22,000 educational centres in India. The occasion was the celebration of its golden jubilee (Northern Region) with the theme of the lecture, “National values and education”.

The distinguished speaker on this occasion was Dr J.R.Rajput, Director of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi. The core concern to be addressed was how to germinate our education with human values and how to draw those values from the wide spectrum of Indian culture, religions, ethics, philosophy, literature, arts, scriptures and the Constitution that serve as the rich repository of value-oriented education by adopting the multi-disciplinary approach.

Dr VIRENDRA KUMAR, UGC Emeritus Fellow, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Foundation of humanity

This has reference to the letter “What is wrong with Western culture” (February 15). I endorse the views of love that Mr Vijay Babbar holds. He has rightly said that Valentine’s day is a day for celebrating the most natural and valued sentiment of humans that is love. Love is multi-faceted like brother-sister, mother-daughter, father-son and so many more relations. One should think twice before making petty remarks about teenage love for their love is pure for them. If the observer does not find purity or sanity in their love, then it is the observer’s fault. Love is a very deep emotion. One should not mistake any kind of love to be superficial. Love is eternal and not ephemeral.

Even if lovers celebrate this day and feel happy, then how does it create problems for others? Let one do what one feels. If we have been unable to stop violence from times unknown on this planet, then we have no right to stop just a day made for love, the most sacred emotion of mankind.

Talking about western culture, one should not forget that there is no harm in imbibing good othings from other cultures. After all, people belonging to other parts of the world are human beings like us and share same emotions that we have. Moreover, if we can have parents’ day, mother’s day, father’s day, why not we earmark a day for love that is the foundation of the whole humanity?

Assimilating good things of other cultures has been the hallmark of our great and rich culture. Let us not shut the gates of our minds and allow the fresh and fragment air of other cultures to flow in and make it still more richer and vibrant.

ANAMICA SHARMA, Student, GND University, Amritsar

Here and there

During a visit to some Western countries recently, I very keenly studied the standard of sanitation there. Surprisingly, I could not find any fly or a mosquito during my six-stay no stray dogs and cattle on the roads.

There are community toilets at short distances in London and other towns, cleaner than what we have in our homes. No piece of paper or fruit skin on the roads and streets. It is a punishable crime in these countries. No pools of stagnant water; if at all, these are regularly sprayed with insecticides. No garbage or waste matter on road sides. Sweepings and waste matter from houses and shops are collected in plastic bags and placed outside; the same are collected by the sanitary staff daily or on alternate days positively.

Our NRIs and visitors from these countries often comment adversely regarding the standard of sanitation in Indian. Let the Centre and the States take up this challenge and take necessary measures seriously and enforce rules and regulations to improve the sanitation standard in our towns and villages.

Dr H.R. KHERA, Senior Citizens’ Association, Pathankot

Helping the disabled

This has reference to the report “Airlines putting the disabled through hell” (February 13). As per security guidelines, there are certain prohibited items for carriage in the aircraft. There are some restricted items also which are allowed to the carried in the aircraft by a passenger but after laid down security checks. Walking stick falls into the latter category.

Mr S. Deshpande, a 32-year-old blind passenger, travelled from Bangalore to Pune by Indian Airlines flight IC 917 of January 27, 2003. On account of the red alert being notified and walking stick falling in the restricted category, CISF personnel, entrusted with responsibilities relating to pre-embarkation security check, had to follow the guidelines. The passenger was, therefore, requested not to carry the walking strick in his hand on board flight.

Indian Airlines had in fact offered to take Mr Deshpande to the aircraft in a wheelchair. He, however, preferred to walk. IA staff helped him to board the plane and properly seated. Even the commander of the flight took personal care in making Mr Deshpande’s journey comfortable.

Mr Deshpande was further assisted in deplaning from the aircraft at Pune and his walking stick was handed over to him in the Arrival Hall at destination.

ANUP K. SRIVASTAVA, Director (Public Relations), Indian Airlines Limited, New Delhi.