Mail

Indian Parliament attack-I

Sir,

The recent attack on Indian Parliament is the height of despotism and radicalism. I hope India now awakens to the danger posed by the militants. We have been fed up with this militancy and the dual mouthed python of Pakistan and militants. They do cheap propaganda and worse the people fall for it. It is time to ponder and be men of action. I believe Kashmir should be handed over to army and militants should be treated the way they deserve.

Let us develop our conscience in this modern age rather than been left behind by people who do not commit suicide themselves but instigate innocent young men and women to do it.

Sometimes I feel how can people be so foolish as to call that India may have staged it and that too said by Pakistans people in higher authority. The reason seems to have faded from their minds and they themselves think and speak like Illiterate people.

Yours etc...
Ajay Dhar

Indian Parliament attack-II

Sir,

"This was an attack not just on Parliament house, but a warning to the entire country. We accept the challenge. We will foil every attempt of the terrorists", Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said in a live television address.

After every terrorist act, Mr. Vajpayee or Advani have made similar statements, promising to foil 'every attempt' of terrorists.

How many warnings does India need that Pakistan is a mortal danger? How many warnings does India need to realize that Pakistan will make India extinct if we let them?

Yours etc...
Mukund Kher
Bloomington IL USA

Indian Parliament attack-III

Sir,

The attack on America (on the World Trade Centre) was condemmed all over the world including Talibans and Pakistan but America did not just sat down and cried. According to Gen. Collin Powel the very first thing they did was to ask Pakistani general : Are you friend or foe, if not then you are also going to be pounded with American airstrikes. This was a part of an interview given to NBC TV few months ago. The Pakistani general started sweating and immediately agreed to Gen Powell. The world has witnessed how the Talibans have been routed despite the fact it also condemmed the attacks, every one knew that they were lying.

After few suicide bombs in Israel , Yasser Arafat and his Hamas group is being pounded well by the Israeli air strikes. This is despite the fact that Mr. Arafat condemmed the attacks, but Israel did not sit back and cried. God only helps those who help themselves. Why is the Indian Govt. not learning from all these attacks. The attack on Parliament means attack on India itself. The Pakistan Govt and APHC has condemmed the attack but why trust these people when they always have been lying. Why it does not attack both and shut those big mouths. India must act now or its too late to protect its citizens.

Yours etc...
Rajesh Gupta
California USA

Support POTO

Sir,

The opposition parties are opposing POTO just for the sake of opposing the Government. They should take in consideration the indiscriminate killings place from the last 10 long years in our State. They should take a look at the US and UK, where all the political parties are one with the Government in drafting anti terrorism laws. Indian Political parties too should unite to fight terrorists and not hamper the efforts of the Government to enact anti terrorism laws.

There is no point in appeasing certain communities when the security of the country is threatened. United we stand divided we fall. This must be kept in mind of every citizen of the country.

Yours etc...
Ankita Baru
Patel Chowk, Jammu.

Asaar Mahal Museum

Sir,

Having read about the proposed Asaar Mahal Museum to preserve for posterity the heritage of Kashmir once again our planners have missed a vital point of having a museum in a community in the first place and i.e. a museum is for the people, by the people and of the people. In all our museums no where this spirit is reflected and consequently museums in India act merely as glorified storehouses.

By simply hiring an architect you can not create an ideal museum space in today's world. If it has to fulfill the three basic internationally laid down functions of a museum i.e., collection, preservation and dissemination then planning for the ideal museum space should involve inputs from art historians, museologists, conservators, community leaders and architects.

A mission statement defining purpose of collection and assuring access should be the starting point for any museum plan. This statement should be thrashed out by the community itself; And not merely a handful misguided administrators who think by having elegant surroundings without giving a thought to sustainable housekeeping strategies(which is what is plaguing our dusty museums and art collections), the primary user of museum i.e., community will be educated or for that matter will be drawn to visit it!

We seriously need to address the issue of people's participation in museums in India where they feel passionately about preserving and presenting their heritage. It would involve an interdisciplinary dialogue between community leaders, government planners, art historians, museologists, universities, conservators and architects. In J&K's case we will first have to have some basic educational infrastructure such as a Museology and Art History Department in the University of Jammu, rejuvenation of the existing museums which, as a conservator, I feel are merely acting as unsafe storehouses. Then we can talk about committing ourselves to taking care of another ''elegant museum" and ensure that five years down the lane it does not become another soul less storehouse with one curator and skeleton museum staff, coming alive only when it is Sher-e Kashmir's birth anniversary.

Yours etc...
Aparna Tandon
Art conservator & Curator
AMML, Jammu