Star in distress

He was once a top Punjabi film star. The tall, handsome young boy from Kashmir had landed in tinseltown with an acting degree from the FTI, Pune, in the seventies. Having acted as the lead in more than 100 Punjabi films, he was a heartthrob at that time. He also acted with Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand. Today, this superstar is finding it difficult to meet both ends. He is sick and hospitalised in Patiala. Some local NGOs are helping him and let's hope for the best.

He is none other than Satish Kaul, the famous superstar of yesteryear.

The Mumbai film industry has a number of associations for extras, dancers, writers, cinematographers etc which take care of their members and families even financially. Senior artistes contribute to these associations by arranging shows for them.

The bigwigs of Pollywood like Manmohan Singh, Hans Raj Hans, Gippy Grewal, Honey Singh, Daljit, Sunita and Pooja should do something for their senior colleague by forming an association and raising funds. This money should be spent on the welfare of the members and their families. What has happened to Satish Kaul should not happen to any other artiste or singer or technician from Pollywood.

Dr Naresh Raj, Patiala

Focus on Punjab, Mr CM

I wonder why Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal is focusing on issue of the formation of the HSGMC as it is irrelevant for Punjab. He is trying to meddle in Haryana affairs which will ultimately create bitterness between the two states. In the Hindu religion, there are so many temples but not even a single authority claims supermacy in issuing guidelines for the whole community. Similarly, the SGPC cannot claim to be the supreme authority of the Sikhs.

Moreover, if Delhi can have a separate SGPC, why is a hue and cry being raised against the HSGMC?

SANJAY CHAWLA, Amritsar

Lay off, SAD

It is distressing that the SGPC and HSGMC people are fighting with each other. The Akal Takht is the supreme authority for the Sikh community. The SGPC should be like an elder brother to the HSGMC and support it in its functioning. Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Chandigarh too should be allowed to form their own committees. The SGPC should work as an umbrella over all these and supervise the functioning of all committees of states like a governing body. The authorities in Amritsar should ensure that incidents like that of June 6 are not repeated. The kirpan should never be used for hurting or killing a Sikh brother, whatever party or state he or she may belong to. It was shameful when footages of Sikhs attacking Sikhs with kirpans were shown on TV.

As far as the SAD is concerned, it is purely a political party and is running a government in the state. It has no reason to show such concern over the formation of the HSPMC. Sikh intelligentsia should come forward and act as torchbearers in this hour of distress and these testing moments.

Surinder Kumar Mahna, Karnal

SGPC not supreme

I agree with the views expressed by Sardar Jasdev Singh Rai in his article “Excommunication of Haryana Sikhs” (July 26) that Sikh unity is neither strengthened nor weakened by the formation of new management bodies. It only affects the reach of the SGPC and its leadership. As a matter of fact, the SGPC is a regional body and has assumed undue powers and importance.

I fail to understand why a mature political leader like Parkash Singh Badal is so worried about the formation of the HSGMC. Every Sikh has the liberty to attach himself with anybody rather than being compelled to stay with the SGPC. Badal has always misused his authority while using the SGPC platform against his opponents.

Subhash C. Taneja, Gurgaon

Issue blown up

The gullible people of Punjab and Haryana are naive a lot and cannot see through the Machiavellian moves of their governments. Punjab and Haryana seem to have entered into a clandestine pact to withdraw the attention of the masses from the grave problems to an insignificant confrontation between the SGPC and the HSGMC over the control of Sikh gurdwaras in Haryana. While Haryana has the notoriety of being the rape capital of the nation, Punjab is the drug capital.

To a devout Sikh and the followers of other faiths, it matters little as to under whose control the shrines and gurdwaras are. The heads of these two states must sublimate their ambitions and be ready to make any sacrifice to avoid any confrontation and let the people live in peace and harmony.

Prof KBS Sodhi, via email

Women’s pastime

Apropos ‘Thought for the Day’ (July 18) O, Henry's words “if men knew how women pass the time when they are alone, they’d never marry” are exceedingly amusing and telling.

I am curious to know as to how women pass their time when they are alone. Would some kind, enlightened soul throw light on the subject?