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Discrimination with Jammu

Sir,

Disbursement of salary to the J&K Government employees on 26th December and that too in cash, prior to the "Eid celebrations" is a goodwill gesture towards the general public in the State. This action should have been better advised if the salary was disbursed prior to the Christmas which falls on 25th December every year. By singling out a particular community from the general conglomeration of the State population, the present Government has acted grossly in a communal manner. Dewali just fell a few months back i.e. on 26th of October 99, and the Government remained adamant to disburse the salary on time to its employees even after the pressing demand from the public. Obviously, the population of the State other than the Muslims are being treated like second class citizens. In case you go deep in the matter, you will find many glaring examples in every sphere of life-say in appointments, selection of seats, for professional institutes, transfers and postings, promotions, development works, disbursement of funds and budgets etc. etc.

We in Jammu had great hopes from the centre to ameliorate our hardships, but we are sorry to State that the central leadership is apathetic towards the Jammu people and such unjust action of the present government do not touch their thick skins including that of the leaders from Jammu province.

Yours etc...
R L Gupta
H. No. 2 Gandhi Nagar
Extension Jammu.

Army and Izzat

Sir,

Recently the army chief has rightly emphasised the need to restore Izzat of the Army: Obviously, 'Izzat' is in the dumps.

Its Visible signs being: Cases of mutual recriminations in the courts (approx 2500) alongwith an equal if not more, number of petitions awaiting disposal at Army Headquarters itself; an initial failure at Kargil; no say in the national policy making process or for that matter no or negligible lien on the Defence Research and Development organisation, failure of the society to do justice to its ex-servicemen and a no hands off policy by the media or human rights organisations when it comes to delivering strictures on the uniformed fraternity. Indeed a cause for alarm.

More than that, it is the flouting of norms concerning misuse of transport, manpower or unspecified perks-particularly by senior hierarchies which have in addition driven a wedge amongst those in uniform.

But it cannot be so: The nation experts its Army has to set an example. It has to be better in every respect from the Police, Para military forces, bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and others. Because the Army is not only their guardian but defender of the union and its constitution. It can not do without Izzat.

But Izzat can not be demanded. The Army will have to earn it with its superior conduct. To do so, it must put its own house in order. It must follow the laid down rules and regulations (or change them if out dated) besides a code of conduct which is devoid of sycophancy, is equally applicable to all ranks and which is driven by its loyalty to the State, its organisations and not individuals. And which does not compromise on integrity.

But it must start from the top. Because it can not be the other way around. The Indian Army has the potential to earn every bit of Izzat provided it stops compromising on the essential values necessary for the profession of Arms and the new Chief redefines Army's code of conduct.

Yours etc....
Maj. Gen V K Madhok,
974 Nana Peth,
Pune-2

New vistas & visions

Sir,

While we bid adieu to the year gone by and welcome the new year, do we ever introspect our weaknesses of the previous year and try to reform ourselves in the following year ? We only rejoice at our triumphs but never shed a tear at our failures. One he, who is great realizes his flaws. But the law of the land is that one should try to behave wiser on the onset of a new year or a new century.

At the fag end of the year our Prime Minister's initiative of the unilateral ceasefire was the frontline of the print media. His new year gift to the globe is "My Musings from Kumarkum" in which he has touched all the sensitive issues facing the nation. Many countries of the world acclaimed it with an applause. Now how it works only the future will tell. All the citizens of the Globe pray that violence, victimization, vengeance, exploitation and blood bath should end.

Our country is emerging as the advanced nation in Information Technology. Kudos to our scientists for designing and developing the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). But the bad scar that has eclipsed our country's image is the cancer of corruption that is trying to suck her vitalities.

According to the World Report, India will emerge as the greatest global power if corruption, favouritism and nepotism is eradicated.

In western countries dedication and talent is the key word. Quite paradoxical in our country working with a motive devoid of dedication and sweet diplomacy is the watch word.

Now with the onset of the new century let us pray to Almighty to bless us with the wisdom so that we can differentiate between right and wrong; virtue and vice, honesty and diplomacy, sincerity and lip sympathy, compassion and exploitation, amity and acrimony efficiency and inefficiency, affluence and poverty and morality and immorality.

If we reflect for a moment, really we shall be true to our 'soil of sages' and the focus of the 21st century shall be "Asia" as the Hitech and the most affluent continent of the globe.

Yours etc...
K L Dhar
F-243, Exchange Road,
Jammu.