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Brutal killing angers nation

The editorial, “Pak designs: Behind the mutilation of jawans' bodies” (January 11) echoes the hurt that millions of our countrymen felt over the brutal killing of two of our Army jawans on the LoC. What has greatly angered people was how one of our soldiers was decapitated shamelessly. Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar's claim that Pakistan's army men were not involved in this grotesque and inhuman act is false. Her suggestion to get the matter probed into by the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan [UNMOGP] is just a ploy to hide the truth. This gruesome incident threatens to derail the peace process between the two nations. Pakistan must stop sheltering terrorist outfits.

Dr RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Haryana

Order CBI probe

The news item “Re-totalling scam rocks ayurvedic varsity” (January, 7) was praiseworthy as it highlighted the alleged malpractices of the academic faculty of Guru Ravi Das Ayurvedic University. It is the third university in the country which is dedicated to teaching and conducting scientific research in the field of Ayurveda. It was established in 2009 by the Government of Punjab. Till date the university does not have its own building. It runs without a senate, syndicate and board of studies which are mandatory for any university. Until the infrastructure of the university is built and it is recognised by the UGC and the Central Council of Indian Medicine, it should be merged with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences.

The Re-totalling scam should be probed by an independent agency such as the CBI. The Vice Chancellor, Secretary to Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and the Dean should be removed in order to ensure a fair and impartial inquiry.

DR SS ROMANA, Bathinda

Don’t withdraw AFSPA

The article AFSPA in J&K by Lt Gen Harwant Singh (Retd) 8th January rightly points out that the army has a vast range of experience in handling counter-insurgency operations. So its opinion on withdrawing from the Valley should matter. It is true that it is the prerogative of the elected representatives to work for the welfare of the people. But not consulting them or ignoring their point of view would be disastrous. The 1962 war is a classic example to this effect. Lt-Gen Harwant Singh has put forth before the nation a valuable insight into the situation based on ground realities. We should pay heed to his advice as we live in an age of specialisation.

SHANTI SWAROOP SHARMA, Dharamsala

Focus on values

Though our society needs several reforms, our education system should be reformed on a priority basis. It inculcates discipline among the youth. The Kothari Commission formulated our educational policy in 1965. Two years later, when Kothari was asked to comment on the policy, he said, “We based our educational policy on the development model. Had we laid importance on character building, basic development would have taken place automatically?” So we should revamp our educational system to stress on character building.

We should also teach our younger generation to be secular and let others freely choose the religion they want to practice.

PD SHARMA, Ludhiana

Underground wiring

Four to five rows of trees on either side of the main road passing through phase 2-3, 4-5 and between sector 71 in Mohali were cleared five years ago. And at the same time, trees were planted near the power lines on both sides of the road.

But, the trees are now covered by a killer parasite. This wouldn’t have happened had the authorities followed the mandatory rule not to plant any trees under the power lines or build power lines over a tree plantation. Why shouldn’t we try to have an underground wiring system in cities?

RS BAIDWAN, SAS Nagar

Clarification

In an article published in the Life +Style section, “A voice, a legend” (December 21, 2012), singer Surinder Shinda was inadvertently mentioned as Sukhshinder Shinda. The error is regretted.

— Editor-in-Chief

Are faith & reason conflicting?
The article “Thanksgiving” by Harish Dhillon (January 11) reminded me of my childhood, when I used to study at a boarding school in Nabha. I was a frequent visitor of the temple situated on our school campus. When I turned 17 and opted for the medical stream in +1 standard, I started losing my faith and became more rational. I began to believe in the Big Bang theory, according to which God doesn’t exist. Studying science for years, I declared myself to be an atheist.
However, dark shadows of doubt would eclipse my conviction whenever I would see my grandfather (an orthodox Sikh) praying in the gurdwara. I would wonder what would happen to me after my death if God really did exist. Will I be tortured in hell for challenging his existence?
I would always get into this dilemma whenever I visited a religious place. But to console myself, I would recall some lines from one of the hadiths of Prophet Mohammed – "La tasabuddhara; hoo wallahoo" which means, “Dont waste time, time is God”.
PREET AMOL SINGH, Patiala