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Igo Phey canal project

Sir,

It was sixteen years back that I visited Igo Phey area across the river Indus in Ladakh. Somehow nostalgical recollection and memory of this visit has continuously haunted me all along. At that time, too, construction of Igo Phey canal was going on. I was fascinated by the idea that if the vast area under this (Igo Phey) canal is brought under plantation it may help in a great environmental improvement of Leh areas. When I read about 'Three Gorges project on the Yangtze river in China, I found that my speculation was not altogether baseless. Ynan Garchin, Deputy General Manager of that project had observed (Frontline January 9, 1998) that "The rise in water levels will effect the climate, decreasing of the temperature by 1 degree celcius in summer and increasing by 1 degree celcius in winter. Generally this change will benefit local agriculture by decreasing the extremes in the climate by 3 degree celcius to 4 degree celcius. Because I had kept track of this project, by 1998 I found that Igo Phey Irrigation Division had invited tenders from further works on this canal amounting to Rs. one crore.

Recently I read a treatise mentioning vision for Ladakh by Shri Thupstan Chhewang Chairman Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council. It was a vague statement and could be termed as Election Manifesto. But I was extremely shocked over another news (Excelsior 39th May 2000 ) that 80, 000 Kanals of land available under Igo Phey command area will be distributed among individuals. There was no mention of creating any Plantation Farm on Govt. or Corporative basis. It is surely a populist measure.

And another report of Mr. Toshi Marup published in Daily Excelsior on 22nd Sept. 2000 in respect of Dangal Thang project of Leh district further disappointed me to find that the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council may be becoming just another bureaucratic structure. The democratic Government of Jammu and Kashmir in first forty years never attended to basic needs e.g. tapping of hydroelectric potential. It was happy to get money from Centre and build buildings for the benefit of contractors, officials and Ministers.

The Dangal Thang project in which people of Hanu contributed Rs 500 per household has also met the same fate.

Alongwith Igo Phey I had always dreamt that a large area on the north of river Drass in District Kargil could be used for plantation. There is Desert Development Programme in this area, but it is not known what is done under it.

Yours etc...
Bansi Lal Kohistani
Jammu

Great cricketer

Sir,

The legendary Cricketer Donald Bradman is no more. The vacuum he left in cricket world is difficult to be filled, as he performed magical feats by securing nearly 7000 runs in just 52 innings with the highest run rate average that has not been surpassed by any cricketer so far. Though Sunil Goveskar secured more than 10,000 runs in test cricket still his run rate average was far below than that of Sir Donald Bradman popularly known as "Don". Bradman, who toyed with every ball was the lip name of every cricketer.

The greatest quality of this superb batsman was that he played game with a game like spirit. He neither played with the motive to make a record nor to mint money.

He played for the nation, while modern Cricketers play for money as is evident from the latest cricket scams.

Sir Donald Bradman's exemplary record in cricket shall never fade away from the annals of cricket history and teach the younger cricketers, how to devote solely for the game, leaving aside money or fame.

Yours etc...
K L Dhar
40 -Ustad Mohalla,
Jammu

Architects of nation

Sir,

Speaking on the annual Parents Day function organised by Kabir Public School Pandorian (Mishriwala) Jammu, the Minister of State for Agriculture Mr. Ram Paul said (DE Feb 21, 2001) that teachers are the architects of the nation which is very true but unfortunately the successive as well as the present Govts. have never been sincere in appointing suitable persons as teachers as a result of which there is production of standardless, corrupt, crooked, criminals and mafia type politicians, bureaucrats, traders etc. The present trend of education in our country is aimed at to pass examinations for obtaining the degrees to get some suitable job which is not the only purpose of education. The education should be such as would stress on discipline which will improve the quality of character and make us morally correct. The education must include development of man's spiritual powers and help to build a harmonious self confident personality. But this is only possible when the trained teachers passing B.Ed. degree and other qualities are appointed as teacher. No one is worried about the quality and standard of education in our State and for example R2hbar-e-Taleem Scheme of the Govt. for recruitment of teachers which is nothing except another mockery is refined in the matter as a proof. In case politicians including Ministers and other legislatures want to provide job to their nears and dears who do not merit for the post of teachers be withdrawn from the Education Department and adjusted some where else as there are many meritorious persons available who are claiming and deserves for the post of teachers and without good teachers bright future of the nation cannot be expected. It will not be out of place to mention here that when the Architect himself is incompetent what will be fate of the nation of which he is builder.

So, it is very important for Government to make the system very clear and without giving any chance for corruption, and strictly taking into consideration the merits. It is not out of place to mention here that if we do the things in a correct and honest manner, every thing will happen in a right manner, without any problem. But it is all possible when we forget our self interest and take a decision without self benefit.

Yours etc...
B L Balwal
Udhampur