II

The editorial underlined the nexus between terrorist organisations and Pakistan. With the killing of Osama bin Laden at Abbottabad, it has been established beyond doubt that Pakistan was misleading the world about his whereabouts. Now it is clear that Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism. Its active complicity, connivance, protection and support to terrorist organisations have caused considerable loss of innocent lives in many parts of the world.  Pakistan must be held accountable for all these unholy activities and crimes against humanity.

Now the international community must remain vigilant to the revenge attacks by the terrorists and work relentlessly to wipe out the remaining elements. The ideology of terror preached by Osama also needs to be tackled effectively and reversed.

S.C. VAID, Greater Noida

III

The editorial is right in making two significant assertions. Firstly even though Obama is dead, his legacy will carry on. It is therefore, time to combat his ideology of terror. Secondly the US President Barack Obama will now find his chances of re-election to the White House in 2012, comparatively brighter.

Pakistan stands exposed as a “nerve centre of terrorism” as was famously described by Hillary Clinton during the NATO Foreign Ministers conference in Brussels. No doubt, in the context of Osama’s killing deep within Pakistan, Islamabad will have much to explain. While on the one hand we urgently need to tighten-up our entire security mechanism against terror, we also need to be more firm and pragmatic in all dealings with Pakistan on the diplomatic front. For too long we have been found wanting and simply been pussyfooting around on all issues.

GOVIND SINGH KHIMTA, Shimla

IV

The editorial has rightly pointed the unfinished task of tackling the entire terrorist network of Al-Qaida, Taliban and others so as to make the world a safer place.

The surgical style precision of mid-night operation by US commandos speaks volumes about detailed intelligence gathering and planning over months for the final assault on the most dreaded face of terrorism. By killing Osama, the US has fulfilled the call given by George Bush to bring him to justice dead or alive.

The US would have laid its hand on Osama much earlier but for the double game played by Pakistan which stands fully exposed. The claim of India that many terrorists are living in Pakistan also stands vindicated.

Brig HS SANDHU, (retd), Panchkula

Working style

The middle “Babus at work”( May 2) by Shriniwas Joshi was interesting. Though some incidents had been exaggerated, obviously for adding interest and humour, the basic idea was apt.

J.R. GARG, Chandigarh

Life after death

There is a need to develop the scientific temper, humanism and spirit of enquiry and reforms (Raj Chengappa’s column Ground Zero titled “Sathya Sai Baba and life after death”, Apr 29). It is not easy to discuss God in physical form because people of some faiths criticise the religious or spiritual practices of those in other faiths.

There are different versions about life after death. The question of as to what becomes of life after death is a question that has agitated the minds of a large number of sensible persons at all times.

So far as Sathya Sai Baba is concerned, he rightly said that there is no need for reincarnation if people practice what he preached.

HARISH K. MONGA, Ferozepur