M A I L B A G

Ahimsa message stands forgotten

Today is Gandhi Jayanti — a national holiday. Is that the only significance of this day in our lives — a national holiday? How many of us do really remember Bapu and his thought, “Ahimsa is Parmadharma”.

A meagre half-naked man in dhoti shattered the British Empire with his determination, courage and principles. He always believed that Himsa is not a solution to any problem. Unfortunately, a man who advocated Ahimsa throughout his life became the victim of Himsa at the end of it. “Hey Ram” were the last words uttered by this peaceloving soul.

But look we forgot him so soon. Today Himsa is all prevalent. Bomb blasts, shootouts, suicidal attacks and religious clashes are the catchy headlines of newspapers. People slaughter each other in the name of religion. But no religion teaches killings of innocent people. “Religion is in danger” is the slogan of politicians who want to win votes of a particular religion.

Wake up, my dear Indians. Choose the path of Satya and Ahimsa or do we need Mahatma again to lead and show us the right path? Mahatma is there in everyone of us; just search for him. The biggest tribute to this great soul on this day is to remember him and his thoughts.

Mrs Anju Saini, Jalandhar Cantt

Fleecing the farmer

“Brake on SEZs” (Sept 27) depicts your misplaced conception that the decision of not allotting the fertile land to SEZs will slow down the growth rate. I will say this decision will save farmers from land sharks setting right the SEZ policy which was mindlessly being promoted by the government.

The government was escaping its responsibility by not finding ways and means to increasing returns from agriculture Rather it is pursuing industrialisation at the cost of farmers. How can growth rate decrease if the government promotes industrialisation along with agriculture? No doubt industrialisation is very important for a nation’s progress, but I feel that should not be at the cost of farmers.

Dr VITULL K GUPTA, Bathinda

Artwork rage

“Artwork from Pahari and Sikh school a rage in USA”, reads the title of a page 3 story (The Tribune, 28.09.2006). However, the reported “rage” has no where been justified.

The name of the museum where the said show has been held is not Ravin, as is reported, but Rubin in Chelsea, a suburb of Boston.

The title of the show also has been incorrectly reported as “I know no stranger”. It is “I see no stranger..” which certainly has an altogether different connotation.

Moreover, Dr B.N. Goswamy is not the sole curator of the show, as is reported. It has been co-curated by Caron Smith, chief curator of the Rubin Museum.

Balvinder, Chandigarh

For children’s sake

Some days ago, I saw a five-year-old boy working at a service station just for Rs 10 per day. He used to walk 4 km per day to reach the service station. Then I saw two little boys selling vegetables at a mandi, and an eight-year-old boy working at a dhaba. If this is the condition of our country, then what is our government doing or what has it done till today?

If our system has forgotten to help them, it is our duty to perform the work for which our ministers are being paid. I am 18 years old and I have planned to teach 10 children in my locality every Sunday and in holidays.

It is a request to all the children of well-off families that they should serve the country by making a least one child of our Mother India a literate.

PRABHJOT ARORA, Jagadhri