M A I L B A G

Embodiment of national integration

The quadri-centennial celebrations of Shri Guru Granth Sahib, being organised on a grand scale, augurs well for our country and the Sikhs all over the world. The religious scriptures are preserved in the original form as dictated by the Sikh Gurus and compiled in different ragas and hymns of all Bhaktas. Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas, Tirlochan, Pipaji, Baniji, Dhanna Jat and Baba Farid find their hymns respectively after the ragas recited by the Gurus.

The Guru Granth Sahib is the true constitution of our country's civilisation — an original document of national integration to regulate our society. Inculcating the habit of reading, writing, speaking and singing with music is the quintessence of Gurbani.

This historic day needs to be celebrated as National Integration Day and National Blood Donation Day all over the country.

Lt-Col DAYA SINGH (retd), Bathinda

II

During a visit to the Chandigarh Museum, which houses some rare "birs" of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, I found that these were kept there as in our Gurudwaras — all wrapped-up and thus not accessible, even visually, to the visitors to appreciate their intellectual worth, which is the basic aim and objective of every museum.

To mark the 400th anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, programmes such as free distribution of "birs" by the SGPC are welcome. More and more people of all faiths and religions should be encouraged to read, understand and follow the gifted contents of the holy Granth, which are very relevant today.

A strict "maryada" code perhaps should be enforced on the Granth only after it is installed at a place as a religious representation.

BALVINDER, Principal, Govt. College for Boys, Sector 11, Chandigarh

III

I appeal to philatelists in India and abroad to extend support to the club on Sikh philately. It seeks to function as a reference library on all matters of Sikh philately and the themes connected with the universal message of Sikhism. My address is: C.D. Singh, 2, Gulmohur Residency, 20, Gulmohur Park, Aundh, Pune-411007 (Ph: 25881568).

C.D. SINGH, Pune

Fashion in Delhi and Punjab During a visit to Delhi, I was amazed to see girls wearing modern dresses and looking smart with no nagging necklines and exposing outfits. I would like to congratulate them. One must wear good and attractive dress but should not expose one's self because this is one of the reasons for increasing incidence of sexual crimes. In Punjab, the dress pattern of girls is indeed shocking. There seems to be no limit to their dress style. One really wonders whether these students, with ever-deepening necklines and sensuous outfits, are able to concentrate on studies in the colleges and universities. While in Delhi, I happened to pass through the venue of the AICC session held recently. I was amazed to find that Mrs Priyanka Vadhera figured on every poster, banner and hoarding of the Congress party. What is her status in the Congress? In fact, the whole of Delhi was decorated with the pictures of Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka. Dr NARESH RAJ, Patiala

Clash of exam dates

The written examinations of Combined Defence Services (CDS) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Graduate Engineers are scheduled to be held on September 19, 2004. The clash of exams will affect the interests of those desirous of taking both the examinations. The CDS Examination was scheduled two months ago while the HAL examination was notified only on August 28. I would therefore appeal to HAL authorities to postpone the examination.

MANIK SAINI, Pathankot

Ragging menace

The incident of ragging in SPA Institution, New Delhi, is deplorable. Despite stern warning and punishment to the extent of rustication, the menace continues in many institutions.

Parliament should enact a law making ragging a cognizable and criminal offence. A citizen has the fundamental right to lead life with dignity and self-esteem as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Centre should invoke this provision to ensure that the personal dignity and human rights of citizens are not violated.

GAGANDEEP SINGH WASU, General Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Youth Congress, Chandigarh

Power generation

In his report (July 29), S.P. Sharma writes about water mills for power generation. Dr Anil Prakash Joshi, innovator of the scheme, has explained how "gharats"' can be replaced for power generation units at a nominal cost of Rs 37,000 per unit wherein one can generate 1 to 8 kilowatts of electricity from each turbine.

India is full of such innovative brains, but without official support in most cases. As power generation and distribution are controlled by government agencies, others are prevented from entering into this sector because of this monopolistic approach. I agree that in certain parts of the country, windmills are best substitutes in addition to turbines run by waterfalls.

In India, sunlight, which is available for more than 340 days in a year, could be harnessed for lighting lamps in houses, running of small motors, TVs and other equipment, water heating and solar cookers.

S.R. MITTAL, Ludhiana