Defence University

It is heartening that at last Indian National Defence University (INDU) is going to take a concrete shape. However, it should not become a concrete jungle but must be a temple of higher learning and set high standards of excellence in military professionalism as well as in strategic thinking. The University should have topmost military thinkers who should redefine the art and craft of warfare and foreign policies.

The Vice Chancellor can be a retired Chief and the University should have different schools for warfare, strategic management, military technology, cyber/IT, foreign relations and languages.

All major existing defence training establishments should be affiliated to the university. Deemed Universities like Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, which in its earlier avatar of Institute of Armament Technology had produced some of the finest weapon technologists-–can revert to its original charter and come under the broad umbrella of INDU. As a corollary the armed forces can take a decision to scrap engineering degree courses. Instead engineering graduates can be imparted specialised training of one or one and a half year.

 Air-Cmde RAGHUBIR SINGH, (retd) Pune

Divine life

The middle “The last journey”(May 15) by Krishna Mohan was touching.. Nothing on this earth is under the control of a human being. The family we are born into and the time and place we die is not known beforehand. Similarly, the period between birth and death is also not at our command and is decided by our destiny. In the Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna says — One should always remember that all work is done by the energy of nature and that he or she is not the doer but only an instrument.

The question is how to lead a divine life? Performing Karma yoga, one should always remember God. G stands for God — the creator and ruler of our universe. O stands for obeisance for his creation, be it plants, animals or human beings. And D is for death — the final goal of life.

Dr N K SHARMA, Phagwara

II

The middle was thought-provoking. The participation of friends and well- wishers in the final salute to the departed soul does provide sympathetic healing and soothing touch to the grieving family members of the deceased . The gloomy atmosphere, cries, uncontrolled stream of tears and the burning pyre do make one realise that life is ephemeral.  

Only we refuse to acknowledge this reality. Bowing to the gospel truth of life, the need is to translate this realisation into our actions and thoughts which would be a true homage to the departed soul. We must shun hatred and enmity and make life more harmonious and peaceful. 

S S ARORA, SAS Nagar

III

The middle portrayed a real albeit harsh truth of life. At the cremation ground often one comes across people who, unmindful of the solemnity of the occasion, remain busy talking on their mobiles.

We should free ourselves from routine work while praying or attending a funeral. A burning pyre conveys a significant message that worldly desires and possessions mean nothing in the ultimate analysis.