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EDITORIAL

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Beware of the zealots ! There is ban on wishing 'Happy New Year'. It is totally foreign. It thus follows that everything associated with New Year is alien. New Year gifts; New Year greeting cards. New year parties. Even the Millennium baby is not on and should not have been hyped because beginning of the millennium also coincides with New Year that is not Indian or say not swadeshi. And what are these parties and programmes on New Year eve in all hotels, streets, roads and even homes. All the satellite channels are out to offer the best of the year programmes. It also includes doordarshan channels. For if they fail to offer any interesting programme, they will be competed out and many heads may roll like that of Anupam Kher from the 'Sawal Das Crore Ka'. Any programme that fails on the small screen, it is the programmer that gets the sack orders. Large revenue is involved. For instance Anupam was contracted for a total payment of Rs 3 crore for three episodes a week for one year. Programme failed to win back viewership from Star Plus and Zee made scapegoat of him. This means DD channels would be offering their very best on New Year eve if they have to retain the viewership and the consequent revenue from ads. New Year cake besides Birthday Cakes are also foreign. Why at all cake should be cut when one can gulp in rasgulla, ....more

The ethical dilemma
of genome enquiry

By Jyotshna Pandit
It appears for the first time in the history of human existence that scientists have....more

BJP's game plan for
early U.P. polls

By Fazal Mehmood
Uttar Pradesh has once again become the target of the cultural police of the Sangh Parivar. Last year they had ..more

Countering the
regional threat triangle

By Avinash Shirodkar
Indian policy-makers have been facing great challenge to construct a peace oriented but pragmatic long-term..more

Modernization of
College education
Academic Pulse

By Prof S K Bhalla
Dr Radhakrishnan once said "The problems facing our generation are different from those .....more

2001 offers crucial
test in Kashmir!
Tales of Travesty

By Dr. Jitendra Singh
God not only helps those who help themselves but sometimes also comes to the.......more

EDITORIAL

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Beware of the zealots ! There is ban on wishing 'Happy New Year'. It is totally foreign. It thus follows that everything associated with New Year is alien. New Year gifts; New Year greeting cards. New year parties. Even the Millennium baby is not on and should not have been hyped because beginning of the millennium also coincides with New Year that is not Indian or say not swadeshi. And what are these parties and programmes on New Year eve in all hotels, streets, roads and even homes. All the satellite channels are out to offer the best of the year programmes. It also includes doordarshan channels. For if they fail to offer any interesting programme, they will be competed out and many heads may roll like that of Anupam Kher from the 'Sawal Das Crore Ka'. Any programme that fails on the small screen, it is the programmer that gets the sack orders. Large revenue is involved. For instance Anupam was contracted for a total payment of Rs 3 crore for three episodes a week for one year. Programme failed to win back viewership from Star Plus and Zee made scapegoat of him. This means DD channels would be offering their very best on New Year eve if they have to retain the viewership and the consequent revenue from ads. New Year cake besides Birthday Cakes are also foreign. Why at all cake should be cut when one can gulp in rasgulla, gulabjaman or laddu. Are not they tasty? How is it that cake culture remains pre-dominant so much so that even those who cannot afford or do not understand its significance go for it. There is no denying the fact that these delicious Indian sweets are exported in tinned packing and enjoy very good market abroad. One really does not know if Indians settled abroad offer these sweets on birthdays or cake dominates them all.

And for the honey-mooners. Yes, what is it all about. When honey is with you how does moon comes into limelight knowing fully well that nothing grows on moon. God forbids, if ever space shuttles start carrying honeymooners to the moon, it would be the driest one sans any kicks. The only kicks would in the shuttle itself that stem from weightlessness and eyeful view of the beautiful earth below. But that also has the condition of remaining faithful to the adage, ''Far off always looks green''. As per Hindu Jagran Manch, this honeymoon business does not conform to our culture and to that extent it needs to be discarded. This inter-alia means the newly weds must confine to the safety of four walls. It is not clarified whether they would at least have the privacy of a separate room because these days there is acute shortage of accommodation where curtain-partition is quite common. Honeymoon spells discard with the family traditions from day one in that the bridegroom gets the outside 'kicks' and on return it is quite unlike a 'sweet home'. One really does not know if there was anything like honeymoon in olden days, ancient times to be precise, because our epics do not throw any light on them. Even before independence this honeymoon business was privilege of the exclusive class. This also gives rise to foreign food culture which has invaded India like never before. The million dollar question is which of the two promotes good health. Burger or Chapati? Coca Cola or potable water? Frozen chicken or fresh chicken? Pre-cooked one or fresh-cooked stuff? Above all, which is more appetising.

Punjab has decided to switch over to Bikrimi Samvat. It was so in J&K State whence all dates on all documents correspond to Bikrimi Samvat. It has got to be Happy Baisakhi and not Happy New Year. Any objections, regional satraps except of course the much-hyped hidden agenda.?

The ethical dilemma of genome enquiry

By Jyotshna Pandit

It appears for the first time in the history of human existence that scientists have found a way to beat astrologers and prophets in telling people exactly when their lives would fall apart. While new technologies in communication and information are evolving at hurtling speeds, it is genome research which will impact the very being of humans as a species and evolution in future.

Genetic technology presents the scientists and policy-makers with immense possibilities of bestowing positive benefits to humanity as a whole. But it can unwittingly or by design unleash the evil forces too. The ethical dilemma between protecting individual privacy and making available the fruits of genetic research in terms of predicting, preventing and curing diseases has the battlelines drawn between various groups. Since the governments legitimised genetic enquiry by allocating resources, molecular biologists, clinicians, bioethicists and social scientists are busy marshalling their arguments in favour of or against.

Viewed in a business sense, for the pharmaceutical industry, the results of genome enquiry may translate into big money by the offer of services and products ranging from mass screening methods (predictive tests for common disease categories) to new drugs. Equally important, the genome enquiry is going to dramatically impact the commercial and ethical aspects of the business of health care, and medical and life insurance.

An important social issue concerns job discrimination at the point of recruitment. While it is understandable that the airlines pilot be tested for colour blindness, many believe that discrimination on the basis of predictive tests, at this point of time, is unethical. This will also, it is feared, give rise to the employing industries shifting the blame on to the employees when polluting working conditions may actually be the cause of diseases.

The danger of over-dependence on predictive tests will be apparent when people will be discriminated not on the basis of their present health but statistical results. Increase in the discovery of undesirable genes through screening tests poses ethical dilemmas for the fear that the results may end up in data banks for use against individuals and groups, with employers in drug and insurance companies, police and social workers potentially threatening to reduce human life to a commodity. The attitude of governments in granting approval for genetic tests being carried out for eventual disclosure to medical and life insurers bears testimony to this dilemma.

In the US, where legislation is not federal, in 18 states, insurers cannot deny coverage, cancel their policies or charge higher premia on the basis of genetic make-up. A law in Austria bars insurers and employers from obtaining the results of genetic tests. And in France, there is a five-year moratorium on the use of such tests.

Contrary to this general trend of being very circumspect about disclosing genetic test results, this year, Britain granted approval for such disclosure, that too only in the case of the fatal degenerative brain disorder known as the Huntington's disease, where the scientists believe there is a conclusive nexus between a single gene mutation and the onset of the disease. At present there are only seven other disorders of similar nature, involving 10 tests which could qualify for such treatment.

Of all the industries, insurance is the most worried as it is itching to get its hands on genetic information to reduce its risks or charge increased premia for those with adverse findings. After all, in this word of uncertainties, the whole idea of insurance is based on pooling risks. The insurers expect to pay out less than they collect as premiums and for setting such premium as they evaluate risks, higher the risk of an individual or a group the greater the amount or even refusal of coverage.

Increasing knowledge of one's genetic make-up instils greater fears of fraud in the minds of insurance companies. For instance, if someone knows (after a test) that he is going to die within a few years, he could insure himself for a huge sum and then sell the policy to a third party.

In effect, insurance becomes a bargain for those with a greater risk and a burden for those with a lesser risk. If people with no known genetic disability tend to avoid insurance, and the others go for large covers, the insurance market will shrink.

It is feared that on the one hand the life insurance companies may use genetic information obtained from testing to practise unfair discrimination against their clients but, equally, the later may withhold crucial information from the former. It has been suggested that a risk factor be incorporated in the risk premium evaluation techniques gradually, as the results of genome research unfold for each genetic condition. These have to be updated as new knowledge is revealed. Whether or not it really satisfies the customer and the insurer, it is sure to keep busy the actuary.

In countries where welfare benefits to their citizens include universal medical care, genetic testing and screening may appear less problematical than the resultant financial burden to their governments.

While a better understanding of the genetic basis of a disease is set to revolutionise medicine in the coming years, time alone will tell how the society as a whole will resolve the issues of privacy, discrimination, private health care and provision of insurance. INAV

BJP's game plan for early U.P. polls

By Fazal Mehmood

Uttar Pradesh has once again become the target of the cultural police of the Sangh Parivar. Last year they had launched a campaign against girls wearing jeans. This time round they have targeted more "un-Hindu" practices, including candles and cakes at birthday parties.

The chief minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh, has announced a ban on beauty pageants. No one knows under what law such events can be banned. He has simply asked district magistrates not to allow beauty contests anywhere in the State. It has been left to them to find ways to implement his directive.

In Lucknow, a beauty contest scheduled to be held on December 16 was disallowed on the grounds of maintaining law and order. The district authorities told the organisers that the administration was busy with maintaining peace during Ramzan. It would, therefore, not be possible to provide security for the pageant. The crestfallen organisers approached the courts but as no formal ban order existed they could get no relief.

A chariot ride was denied to Miss World Priyanka Chopra on similar grounds at Bareilly. Residents of her hometown wanted to take her around in a procession. Sensing that such an exercise could enrage their political masters, the district authorities refused permission.

While legal luminaries debate the basis for imposing such bans, those who consider arm-twisting a permissible means to conduct administration say district magistrates have enough powers to stop events such as beauty contests. Even section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code was enough to make people kneel, if the administration so wanted.

The saffron forces, which had been pushed on the defensive following the Babri mosque demolition, seem to be preparing to shed even the last vestiges of restraint to renew their cherished Hindutva campaign. The intermission of the past eight years has brought about a qualitative change in the political situation of the country which has proved helpful to Hindutva votaries.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee's latest judgment that construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya was an expression of national sentiment has come as a signal for the Sangh Parivar to reactivate itself. An ominous threat has come from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) which has announced it will start construction of the Ram temple at the disputed site without bothering about the legal implications.

The VHP has an organisational structure which allows the saffron forces to own or disown its activities according to convenience. Any important VHP decision is attributed to a Margdarshak Mandal comprising sadhus of various denominations who are responsible for taking decisions but not for getting them executed. The VHP decisions are, therefore, described as actions of sadhus who do not come under the discipline of any organisation of the Sangh Parivar.

On December 6 last, while addressing kar sevaks at their "Shaurya Divas" programme, the VHP announced that the Margdarshak Mandal would finalise the exact date on which construction of the Ram temple would start at Ayodhya. A decision in this regard would be taken by the end of January at Allahabad during the Kumbha Mela.

Carving of stones at the VHP workshops at Ayodhya and elsewhere has been speeded up and will reach the final stage very soon, say VHP leaders. They could start construction of the temple any time after that, they add.

For the Sangh Parivar, the Ram temple construction is only a question of faith for the Hindus. That did not require the permission of any court. Paramhans Ramchandra Das, head of the committee formed by the VHP at its Goa conclave, for the construction of the temple, declares that no court can decide on the question that Lord Ram was born at Ayodhya. No court permission was required to demolish the mosque; similarly no permission would be required to construct the temple, he says.

The VHP has demanded that the Centre hand over the land which originally belonged to it and was later acquired by the Government. This land falls outside the disputed area, the VHP claims. If the demand is accepted, they will be able to start construction without any major hitch. The VHP is thinking of revising the original temple plan to accommodate larger areas within its precincts. It wants to construct four "gopurams". It is claimed these "gopurams" would fall outside the disputed area and the Centre could have no problem in handing over the land for their construction.

The proposition to construct the "gopurams" is something like the original Sangh Parivar plan to "encase" the now demolished Babri Masjid within a temple structure. As the idol is already there in the makeshift temple, the surrounding construction would serve to tell the Hindu world that for all practical purposes the construction of the Ram temple has been completed.

What the Centre's strategy will be is not clear at this stage. But it is amply clear that the Sangh Parivar will do everything to create a hype over the issue after the coming Kumbh Mela.

A preparatory exercise has already been on to influence sympathisers. The RSS has started a mass contact programme to "enlighten" the people about the Hindu way of life. Its volunteers have been moving from door to door with a set of literature that is considered to be a sort of guide on the do's and don'ts for those believing in a Hindu ethos. And the don'ts include, such practices such as blowing out candles and cutting cakes during birthday celebrations as well as going on a honeymoon.

The ban on beauty pageants has come as administrative support to the Sangh Parivar. The effects of the decisions by Mr. Rajnath Singh and the RSS have been cumulative. To the comfort of the Sangh Parivar, lower middle class families, constituting the support base of the BJP, find little harm in discarding the practices as urged by the RSS. There is an impression that these have been patronised by comparatively better off people desirous of joining the rank of the elites, as stereotyped by a section of the media.

Even orthodox Muslims have supported Mr. Rajnath Singh for his directive to ban beauty pageants. "The patrons of beauty contests are products of the new era of economic liberalisation. They want to subscribe to the ideology of consumerism for their vested interests. They have no social relevance in a poor State such as Uttar Pradesh", said a sympathiser of the RSS.

In the circumstances, it would make eminent tactical political sense if the Rajnath Singh Government were to take this opportunity to recommend dissolution of the House, which would be tantamount to holding the next UP Assembly election under the shadow of the Ayodhya issue. Is this, then, the gameplan behind Mr. Vajpayee's sudden December 6 statement on Ayodhya? The nation will know the answer by the end of January or, latest, by February. INAV

Countering the regional threat triangle

By Avinash Shirodkar

Indian policy-makers have been facing great challenge to construct a peace oriented but pragmatic long-term policy in an atmosphere where its neighbours Pakistan and China pose potential threat.

Pakistan is hell bent on a destructive policy vis-a-vis Kashmir and China is modernising itself with DF-31 and DF-41 missile programmes along with MIRV (multiple independent re-entry vehicle) potentials.

The recently held International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2000) between 14th to 17th November at Karachi with its theme "Arms for Peace" with China as a significant participant could be perceived as catalytic to the rise of arms race in the South Asian region.

Even the Pakistani sources confirm that never before Pakistan had put on display its full range of military might. And unlike any other initiative of Pakistan in the past, these military demonstrations were definitely wedded to "show of strength" configured against India.

Also, it was a psychological display of Pakistan's claim for military self-confidence in the wake of mounting international pressure, especially from the US, to go slow on military hardware and to stop abetting terrorist groups. In such adverse condition, Pakistan while on the one hand has been trying to reinforce its confidence amongst the Islamic states, on the other, apart from the clandestine supports from China, it has been pressing for new strategic and military partnerships.

In addition, Pakistan's missile and nuclear development programmes are being increasingly encouraged by China towards the regional strategic triangle involving Pakistan, India and China. Subsequently, the regional adversaries not separately but jointly against India are raising the prospect of an arms race breaking out between India and China.

Evoking a sense of "mystery and fear" in international relations has long been a significant foreign policy characteristic of China. Historically, it is an aggressive and expansionist state. And in the post-Cold War world, with regard to South Asian security environment, China is likely to make moves on two basic premises - one related to the Sino-US relations, and the other directly linked to India.

First, while advocating for multi-polar world order, China desires to become a potential alternative centre of power in any given international system. For this reason, despite glaring limitations in technological advancements in China, it inadvertently clashes with US interest in all the present and prospective conflict areas of the world.

South Asia is definitely not an exception to it. The recent improvements in US-India ties and the increasing gulf between the US and Pakistan are being seen as direct threat to the Chinese predominance in this region. Subsequently the mutual distrust and misperceptions between China and US, on the one hand, directly affect the Sino-US relations and, on the other hand, indirectly but substantially affect the South Asian regional security configurations. It may further provide scope for Pakistan to take more strides of misadventures against India.

Secondly, China desires to remain the sole "power" state in the Asian region. The rapid growth in Indian economy, especially its IT sector, together with the convincing progress in defence advancements pose direct threat to the Chinese dominance in the region. Whether India is being referred directly or not in the Chinese world propositions, it is a fact that India matter a lot to Chinese strategic thinkers.

It is understandable by several means that Beijing could face considerable, if not devastating reaction if anything undesirable is done against the vital interest of India. After all, future possibility of 'engagement' or 'containment' lies mainly in the development of India's strategic build-ups.

Chinese moves to contain the Indian strength are based on its policy of "encirclement of India". Long back in 1983 US intelligence agencies had reported that China transferred a complete nuclear weapon design of 25 KT nuclear bomb to Pakistan and had been helping Pakistani centrifuge programme. Again in 1986, it was revealed that China sold Tritium (that is used to achieve fusion in Hydrogen bomb) to Pakistan and that Chinese scientists assisted Pakistan with the production of weapons-grade fissile material (uranium) at A.Q. Khan laboratory, Kahuta. Further, in 1991, Wall Street Journal reported that Pakistan was buying nuclear-capable M-II missiles from China.

In addition, apart from the controversial Chinese sale of 5000 ring magnets, China has also been involved in transferring M-9 missiles to Pakistan. Thus, China has long been recklessly providing Pakistan with nuclear technology, conventional weaponry and missile systems to keep Pakistan's ambitions high against Indian defence preparedness. Subsequently, by keeping the Pakistan-India hostility alive, China acts on a two-pronged foreign policy towards India.

Elaborating, its policy of "encirclement of India", China has also established a radar base in Coco island (belonging to Myanmar) that is only a gunshot away from the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Recently the Indian Coast Guards that raised apprehensions across the Indian line of defence interrupted a Chinese trawler fitted with modern electronic surveillance equipments off the Indian shores. In addition, it has been widely reported Chinese move of deployments of nuclear forces in Tibet and other bordering provinces and the advancements towards Chinese DG-25 missiles are being specially planned as counter move to Indian development of Agni II and III missiles.

Besides, it has also been reported that a further upgrade of Hong Niano-3 (NH-3) is now being developed with an increased range of 2.5 km for ship, submarine and aircraft launch.

Although Indian moves for weaponisation programmes are primarily driven by the combined hostile attitudes of its neighbours, this may further lead Pakistan to more destructive engagements against India. The present environment of this region is so complicated, that even after a decade of post-Cold War, the western and Indian scholars have been facing difficulty in coming out with any definitive future trend in the South Asian strategic arrangements. In such volatile circumstances, the Standing Committee on Defence in its report clearly projects the level of Indian defence readiness and includes long-term vision and planning for enhancing defence capabilities. No doubt, the real and immediate need for India today is a solid back up of conventional hardwares. Priorities should be towards speedy acquisition of defence equipments and technologies. Over-estimation of indigenous potentials in a given period of time may lead to further delays and might cost wastage of valuable resources. Areas of strengths and weaknesses should be carefully drawn and closely monitored for effective conventional warfare in the time of need.

No doubt, it is proud to hold 'minimum credible nuclear deterrence', but at the same time 'ignorance' or 'negligence' on its 'command and control' mechanism may prove fatal for India. Only an effective inter-linkage within C31 (Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence) could really boost the inner strength in holding the "nuclear button", and to maintain some level of ascertained minimum deterrence capability.

As far as dealing with international environment is concerned, the task ahead for India is to maintain and build better US relations and to restrengthen the hands of cooperation with Russia. It is always preferable for India to go for constructive engagements with China along with other interested partners than to seek Pakistani engagement due to domestic compulsions. Last but not least, to have a healthy relationship with China, India needs to break the mental blockade of its past experiences. After all, India now is a declared nuclear weapon power state with an emerging strong economy. INAV

Modernization of College education
Academic Pulse

By Prof S K Bhalla

Dr Radhakrishnan once said "The problems facing our generation are different from those which confronted earlier generations and we have to rethink the fundamentals of our educational structure if we are to cope with the problems which are now facing us."

College education must be of the highest quality. If we compromise here, the result will be disastrous as we are noticing day after day. Today, rapid changes are taking place the world over owing to explosion of knowledge in every walk of life. We shall lag behind if we don't keep abreast of the latest developments.

Post-Independence scenario of college education in India has been lackadaisical in general. All the hullabaloo about improvements in the methodology of teaching, curricula and vocationalization in certain quarters did not materialize into a time - bound programme to address to the maladies and relieve our younger folk of a mental discomfiture. Many a commission was set up to suggest ways and means of registering marked improvements but tangible results are missing to date.

Of late, UGC the apex body of Higher Education has chalked out an elaborate programme of introducing vocational courses as a part of first degree course after realizing the gravity of situation. Here again the infrastructural facilities, motivated teaching faculty, a periodic monitoring, updating and above all accountability of teachers are the much sought after ingredients to make this programme a grand success which shall be one-step towards the modernization of college education. An imaginative approach and wisdom of teachers alone can make dent. It may be pointed out that quantitative expansion of education has done more harm than good. Qualitative improvement and the consolidation of existing system of college education should rank first in the mind.

Modernization of college education in my opinion ought to be supplemented with the moral education. In these sadly degenerate days when honesty, sincerity and dedication are not at a premium and a vulgar materialism is the order of the day, lop-sided growth of our younger folk is a cause of concern. The quality of man has deteriorated despite scientific and technological advancements. Modernisation would be incomplete and fraught with dangers if we shall not look into this important aspect.

In the prevailing conditions much cannot be achieved by mere bemoaning and finding fault with the system. We have to look afresh and give over mite to a good cause which will usher in better prospects for the present, generation of youth already in the doledrums owing to squeezing job opportunities and tough competition. The other day Dr K Venkatasubramanium renowned educationist and Planning Commission member in change of education and health also argued for a thorough revamping of university courses to make education relevant to modern needs of an emerging economy like India.

2001 offers crucial test in Kashmir!
Tales of Travesty

By Dr. Jitendra Singh

God not only helps those who help themselves but sometimes also comes to the rescue of those of its hapless beings who are left by the mighty and the poweful to fend for themselves. This, indeed, is the moral gathered at the turn of the year when the mutually warring politicians ranging from Abdul Gani Lone to Farooq Abdullah and from Moulvi Umar Farooq to Mufti Mohd Sayed are vying with each other to echo the common man's longing for peace by applauding Atal Behari Vajpayee's cease-fire offer. At the dawn of 2001, the undercurrents of power struggle in Jammu and Kashmir have ironically brought the political contenders and aspirants of different hues and colours rather closer to the common man.

On the eve of New Year, the morale of the militants is also at a low ebb. The stray attack at the Red Fort in Delhi or explosion outside the Army Head Quarters in Srinagar can hardly underplay the fact that a large number of local militants are willing to surrender. On the other hand, widespread public resentment against foreign mercenaries has prompted these gun-wielding mercenaries to look for a safe pasage back across the border.

The ball now lies in the court of the powers-that-be. 2001 will offer a crucial test for both the Central as well as the State Governments which will be expected to put into practice all the astuteness and all the skill at their command to derive maximum advantage from the current scenario. Will they? Won't they? That is the question.

Experience from the recent past bears testimony that similar opportunities came forth earlier too but were callously allowed to fizzle out. Either those ruling the polity were indifferent or they did not realise the importance of being more imaginative. Certain quarters also allege that there is a strong vested interest motivating this deliberate indifference. Upon this, the rampant corruption which has resurged at all levels with wasteful drainage of State exchequer in a crunch ridden State may only end up once again laying the foundations of the ground on which thrived the seeds of mass alienation that triggered militancy in the late 1980s.

If there is a semblance of normalcy returning to Kashmir today, it is primarily on account of three factors. First, the unrelenting courage and perseverance shown by the security forces. Second, the people's disenchantment with the self-serving machinations of Pak sponsored insurgents. Third, the changed priorities of the western countries particularly the United Nations which is no longer inclined to blindly endorse Anti-India designs of Islamabad. The contribution of the political Government figures last although this columnist was among the counted few opinion-writers who had advocated immediate restoration of a political government as early as in early-1990s at a time when busy worthies and socalled intellectuals in Jammu and Kashmir, and more so in Jammu, were opposing the return of political rule either because they were trying to keep the incumbent Governor in good humour or because they were unhappy with the prospect of Farooq Abdullah's reinstallation as Chief Minister.

2001 will record whether yet another opportunity is lost or whether the political government which took over after nearly a decade of Governor's rule has actually lived up to the expectations with which its installation was hailed. Failing this, it could be a tragic reversal to the dreary turmoil from which the State is struggling to emerge. Nonetheless, the common man is watching ---- and he is the final arbiter. Nothing could be more disheartening for Umapathy than the sight of saviours turning devourers, a La,

"Aaj Deewar Khaa Gayi Saaya, Aaj Maine Yeh Vaakya Dekha----"



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