M A I L B A G

Importance of October revolution

I endorse Justice Rajindar Sachar’s views in the article “Significance of October Revolution” (Perspective, Nov 20). However, I beg to differ with him on one point. The world bipolarity exerted an effective control on the US’ hegemonistic design. The US occupation of Iraq is a classic example.

The working class got better deal with the capitalist world and elsewhere because of the philosophy, policies and programmes of the new socialist world under the Soviet leadership.

The October Revolution cannot be written off the world historical map, despite the break-up of the USSR and other socialist states. The world is still groping for a just social and economic order.

Dr PREM SINGH DAHIYA, Rohtak

II

The October Revolution of 1917 was an epoch-making event for Russia and the whole world. It brought a sea change in the thinking pattern of humankind and gave impetus to the ideals of liberty, equality, fraternity, first propounded by great French philosophers in the 18th Century.

Sadly, Communism became synonymous with the interests and expansion of the Russian empire. Ironically, the decline of Russian Czar started with the crushing defeat of the Russian Army at the hands of the Japanese Army in 1905, exploding the myth of its invincibility and causing dissatisfaction among the armed forces. And the demise of Soviet Union followed by the humiliation suffered by the invincible Red Army in Afghanistan in the eighties.

S.S. BENIWAL, Chandigarh

A puzzling point Khushwant Singh’s “Treat for book lovers” (Saturday Extra, Dec 10) makes very interesting reading with his comments on the books read by him during the year, and his detailed account of his friend Arjun Singh’s ardent devotion towards Ghalib. There is, however, one very puzzling point about the article. Khushwant Singh has, over the years, taken keen interest in Urdu poetry and indeed there is a large body of its translation to his credit. It is, therefore, very surprising that in only transliterating one of the most famous couplets of Ghalib’s, he has gone quite off the mark. This becomes clear from his transliteration as compared with the original text which has been given below in brackets: “Ran mein hai rakht-i-umar, kahaan dekhiye thamain” (Rau mein hai rakhsh-i-umar, kahaan dekhiye thamey) “Na baagh hai hath mein, na paa raqaab mein” (Nai haath baag par hai na, paa hai rakaab mein). A case of misplaced over-confidence in one’s memory? SAROOP KRISHEN, Chandigarh

Cops on the mat

In her column “Condemnation to commendation” (Oct 23), Kiran Bedi has rightly expressed her disappointment over the common man’s apathy towards the policemen and women killed on duty on the Commemoration Day. However, If the common man is unmoved, he is not wrong either. He is abused and tortured by the police. People are afraid of going to a police station for help.

The police in India either delay or do not register complaints. And instead of bringing the guilty to book, they try for a compromise.

SUBHASH C. CHAUDHRY, Indianapolis (USA)

Point misfires

This has reference to Dr Ashok Kapathia’s letter in response to “Warriors of the faith” by A. J. Philip (Spectrum, Nov 13). When anyone, while making a speech or writing an article, quotes someone else, he is believed to be in agreement with the quote, unless he categorically contests it.

The question of misinterpretation of RSS chief’s remark by a section of the media, therefore, does not arise. Had the letter writer, instead of quoting a Sanskrit shloka that incidentally equates politics with prostitution, according to the letter writer’s own admission, talked about the RSS chief’s disagreement, if any, with the equation, he would certainly have made a point.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

Go veggie

I have been a regular reader of The Tribune for the past 40 years. I have observed that in the recent past, at least on three consecutive Sundays, the Food Talk column by Pushpesh Pant catered to the tastes of non-vegetarian readers only.

Vegetarian food is more hygienic, satvic in nature and does not involve inflicting cruelty on animals. Pant should come forward with recipes for innovative and attractive varieties of vegetarian food.

B. M. BHANDARI, Amritsar

A role model

I have read “An answer to cancer” by Reeta Sharma (Saturday Extra, Dec 3). It was pleasing to note that inspite of being a patient of cancer, Neerja Malik is leading a happy life. She does not display any sign of weakness or depression.

She was diagnosed of suffering from cancer in February 1998 and the disease recurred in November 2004 but it did not frighten her anymore. The fact that Neerja is heading the Apollo cancer support group in Chennai must mean a lot to the cancer patients there, emotionally. With Neerja’s active support, cancer patients have shown a resolve to fight their disease boldly, rising above religion, caste and creed.

We should all help and support the group headed by Neerja to encourage cancer patients to fight their disease with tenacity.

SUBHASH C. TANEJA, Rohtak