Mailbag

Mail

Unhealthy competition

Sir,

This is in reference to the write up ''War among Satellite channels'' by Naresh Sharma which was published in your esteemed newspaper on October 9, 2000. I totally support the view of Mr Naresh Sharma that the competition between the Satellite channels is increasing rapidly. ''Kaun Banega Crorepati and Swal Dus Corre Ka'' and Shri Ganesha and Jai Ganesha, whichever the forthcoming serials on the Zee TV and the Sony, are the examples of this competition.

But, in my opinion although the competition should be there in force but same kind of serials or the same serials on the same subject should not be allowed to telecast as it somewhere loses the fellowship as well as the interst of the people. For e.g. Sawal Dus Crore Ka on Zee TV is almost (as predicted) is going to be like KBC on Star Plus. This way people will lose the interest in these shows, and ultimately the will be deprived of the knowledge and information, which people, at this time are seeking from KBC.

Although such informative shows should be encouraged but not by such type of competition. This might have a negative result on the overall viewership, as in the case of KBC.

Yours etc....
Suvidha Khanna
B . Com. III Year.

Narasimha Rao's conviction

Sir,

The erudite and scholarly ex-Prime Minister of the country, P V Narasimha Rao stands ultimately convicted in the 3 crore JMM bribery case. The historic judgement is first of its kind as it convicted a person who once occupied the highest Executive position in the country. Every Indian feels sorry and sad at Mr Rao indictment.

It is recent history, when the country was faced with a virtual economic collapse. Industrial and agricultural growth was nearly stagnant. Experts were dwindling. Foreign exchange reserves had depleted to the extent that they could meet imports for only a few weeks. A situation of default on our external payments had reached. It is under these uncertain economic conditions, Mr P V Narasimha Rao assumed the office of PM in the year 1991 and under his stewardship the country embarked on the path of economic reforms and liberalisation. It is the culmination of those innovative economic policies initiated by Rao to the Government that the country is now-a-days looked upon as an emerging economic power, in the world. No doubt, by opening up the Indian economy Mr Rao has done a great service to the nation.

Alas; Had he not resorted to fixing a no confidence motion in the parliament.

Yours etc....
Kuldeep Raina
Bhawani Nagar
Talab Tilloo
Jammu.

Secularism in India

Sir,

It is an encouraging feature that most people seek the enduring solution of communal riots (problems) in our country in strengthening the secular character of India. The very first requirement therefore, would be that the politics of a country should be free of religion. Among other things the multiplicity of religions and consequent conflicts that exist in India point to secularism as an ideal system.

In India, however, a large body of people including many of those incharge of the Government seem to regard secularism only as a concept in which different religions enjoy equality of status with respect to their practices and growth. Broadly speaking, this concept cannot and does not mean secularism. Indian secularism is good only so far as it might promote some communal harmony in religiously divided country. But as a matter of fact such type of secularism would be unstable and short lived. In fact freedom of thought, conscience and faith for all individuals is one of the basic tenets of secularism. But the concept of religion being one's own affair is not correct. It is because the practice of religion by a set of individuals can and mostly does interfere with some basic freedom of others. This would naturally lead to resentment and a feeling of injustice. For example, while it is intolerable for the Hindus to allow the slaughter of cow for food, it may be equally intolerable for the Muslims not to be allowed this freedom. Some other controversies may arise like, polygamy, eating of pork, marriage among close relatives and public holidays.

In order to develop India a really secular country and permanently end the disgrace of communal riots, it will be necessary to advance beyond popularly held concept of secularism. We will need to progress to a stage where politics is completely freed of religion. The religious freedom of an individual or a group is allowed only to the extent that it does not interfere with the personal freedom of others and the betterment of society and country, in general. Serious attempts will have to be made so that secularism is not used as vote catching device by politicians.

It shall not be easy to educate people to accept limitations of religious freedom so as not to interfere with basic rights and liberties of others. They may be imposed by the secular State. Some of the steps that government should take in this direction could be to discontinue grants to educational and other institutions with a religious bias, to treat religious properties like any other taxable property, to maintain strict aloofness of Government functionaries (in their official capacity) from religious functions.

Yours etc...
Autar Krishen Rajdan
Lale De Bagh, Jammu.

Tall claims, small deeds

Sir,

For the past few days, the State Government has been publishing its achievements in various fields since last four years, in the local dailies. After going through these advertisements, one would think that the NC Government has really worked hard all these four years to ameliorate the lot of general public. But the position is altogether different and the people are dismayed particularly in respect of following sectors :-

Despite making tall claims that power will be made available to the consumers particularly during the evening hours, the cuts have been increased from four and half hours to six hours. Unscheduled power cuts, however, continue. On the other hand, the electricity tarrif has to be paid at the enhanced rate and such rates are fixed at the sweet will of the Deptt.

Additionally, the consumers have now to get the bills from the Deptt. and the money has to be deposited in the J&K Bank Branch. This procedure has put the public to a great inconvenience.

During their election campaign, the NC leaders had promised employment to educated unemployed. After coming to power, the NC Government created thousands of posts in one go which is perhaps an unique example in the country. Well, the NC Government did provide jobs to the unemployed youth but not through open competition or recognised recruitment agencies but through back door which is not fair at all. Much resentment has been expressed by the public. The issue is subjudice in the Hon'ble Court and as such no further comments can be given.

Our Chief Minister has gone a step further. He has withdrawn the vacancies from the Recruitment Boards and has decided filling up of the same through village committees. The members of these committees will be obviously such representatives of people who will have unflinching faith in the NC leadership. The fate of selection of the candidates by the village committee can well be imagined.

The Government has not been able to contain the lavish expenditure it incurrs. Expenditure on non-plan side has increased many fold which can be seen by the figures given during the last session of Legislature. On the other hand, no efforts are made to recover taxes from those persons from whom these are recoverable. Added to this is the incurring of huge expenditure on Government employees, whose posts are created unabatedly despite having filled about a lac of posts.

Yours etc...
B L Seru
Subash Nagar, Jammu.