M A I L B A G

Idea of Indo-Pak confederation welcome

This has reference to M.V. Kamath’s article “Together against the world” (Perspective, Nov 13). I fully endorse his idea that one of the alternatives to solve the Kashmir problem is joint control of India and Pakistan with respect to defence, currency and foreign affairs and limited sovereignty to Kashmir. If this agreement is reached upon, it can be extended to the rest of India.

The idea of India-Pakistan Confederation (IPC) is in right direction. The people of undivided India who got themselves cornered in North-Western pocket of India would move freely and fearlessly up to Kanyakumari. Only people-to-people contact can bring them together as both are of Aryan race.

People of both sides want peace, prosperity and eradication of poverty and ignorance. The soft borders will not only enhance the social status but also trade and commerce. It will be a win-win for all.

ANTAR SINGH KOHLI, Chandigarh

II

The writer’s suggestion is laudable and timely but seems farfetched because of the stiff stand adopted by both India and Pakistan. Earlier, we fought shoulder-to-shoulder irrespective of caste, colour and creed to weed out the Britishers. Now leaders of both countries try to surpass each other in seeking favours from Yankees at the cost of national pride.

This is the worst kind of slavery, the shackles of which must be broken. India-Pak confederation, as suggested, seems to be the best way to right the wrongs committed by the leaders at the time of Independence.

S.S. GILL, Jagraon

III

The idea of Indo-Pakistan confederation must grow. Let all right thinking people come forward and work out the contours of such a confederation. The people of India and Pakistan are destined to work together.

Subsequently, Bangladesh too can be associated with such a confederation.

Dr HARI SINGH, Kapurthala

IV

The suggestion for a confederation seems impracticable. India’s foreign policy, particularly its present cordial relations with the USA, Russia and China, besides Japan, leave no alternative for both Pakistan and India than to come closer.

The Kashmir problem has no significance compared with major problems like poverty, health and education confronting both countries.

Terrorism and IT crimes are equally serious. When all religions including Muslims could live peacefully in the whole of India, why cannot Pakistan become a constituent of the proposed confederation?

There is need for a debate on this issue. Initially, all concepts or projects look visionary, but mature only by efflux of time.

BABU RAM DHIMAN, Pinjore

V

No sensible person would accept the suggestion for a confederation as free movement of Pakistanis in India would be a disaster. Muslims from Pakistan would be free to come to India; they will feel quite comfortable in this country.

However, no Hindu or non-Muslims like Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists would feel safe and comfortable in Pakistan.

India’s problems are not due to Pakistan, but because of the refusal of Gandhi, Nehru and the Congress to exchange of population in 1947, their agreement to create Pakistan as an exclusive homeland for Muslims, and their refusal to make India an exclusive homeland for the Hindus of undivided India.

ANAND PRAKASH, Panchkula

An impressive visual from Philadelphia Museum This has reference to “The illustrated Ramayana from Andhra Pradesh” (Spectrum, Nov 20). B. N. Goswamy has brought us an impressive visual from the Philadelphia Museum’s collection of Rama and Lakshmana conversing with the mythical bird Jatayu, part peacock and part eagle. It may interest the readers of The Tribune to know that the Philadelphia Museum is also home to a considerable bird collection, as opposed to mythical birds, from the Himalayas, UP and Rajasthan. The collection belonged to Capt W. E. Boyes of the 6th Cavalry (The Bengal Presidency Army). The custom those days was that on the demise of an Army officer, his belongings were auctioned and the proceeds were sent to his next of kin in the UK. So when Captain Boyes died in 1854, one Dr Wilson bought his bird collection, including field notes, and gifted them to the Philadelphia Museum. Most of us do not know which species of Indian birds formed Boyes’ collection and how many of these are hosed at the museum. But we do know that 30 years later when John Gould published Vol VII of Birds of Asia in 1883, he made use of Captain Boyes’ field notes for writing the descriptive texts of certain paintings in that book. It will be invaluable to have the list of species in Captain Boyes’ bird collection now in the Philadelphia Museum. Lt-Gen BALJIT SINGH (retd), Chandigarh

Of cars and driving

I read H. Kishi Singh’s ‘Happy Motoring’ column every week. I find this column informative and well-written. On a variety of matters concerning car and driving, his ideas and opinions are up-to-date and helpful for safe and happy driving.

NARENDRA KUMAR, Chandigarh