Mail

Centre's offer of talks

Sir,

To my mind the NDA Government at the Centre takes great pride in staging dramas with sensational themes. But it is quite unfortunate that these shows attract no audience. The first act of the drama started with the declaration of a unilateral cease-fire for which there were no takes which is evidenced by the stark fact that since November 2000 there have been 400 civilian and 200 security personnel deaths. This indicates that neither the firing has ceased nor any agenda for action.

Now another Act of the sensational-a vague steps of holding talks with all sections of the peace loving people of the State. Terrorists and APHC cannot be called peace loving. Had it been so then blood in tonnes should not have been spilled. The terrorists have already rejected the offer for talks thereby indicating that they have nothing to do with peace. The APHC, the official postal address of Pakistan in India is adamant of talking to their mentors across the borders than getting instructions over the modern quick model of communications before going in for talks. So not interested in peace.

The Kerala Musings of our Prime Minister had abundantly and clearly indicated that he would be ready to give up the beaten track in Kashmir in search of a settlement of the issue. His bargaining power is strictly limited. He can neither offer Kashmir on a silver platter to the Jehadies nor fulfill the cherished desire of Pakistan.

In this context it shall be, therefore, the most fruitful exercise to call upon very seriously the Government of Jammu and Kashmir headed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah to take stock of the situation and begin political work against the separatists with full earnestness and industry. He has a special role to play. He has a special responsibility of reaching out to the common masses to take personal risks if necessary and test himself in the political battles to save Kashmir for himself, his family and the nation. He knows the ways and means. He needs not be taught how to perform his duties and responsibilities.

Yours etc...
P K Joseph Dhar
Jammu

Involve Kotlis in talks

Sir,

I congratulate the Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee for taking the bold step of initiating peace talks with militant, separatist organisations. It is also a matter of rejoice that an able, dedicated sincere and seasoned leader Mr. K C Pant has been assigned this difficult job.

It is the need of the hour that besides above mentioned organisations the Jammu leadership in general and some one from Mirpur Kotli Poonch area of POK is also involved in the dialogue. Because it involves the fate of people on either side of the border. These people have all along been ignored and neglected. Who is to be blamed for it is a million dollar question? I will request Mr. K C Pant to keep in mind the following aspects as well during the course of dialogue.

The talks should involve not only the separatist, militant elements but also the representatives from Jammu as well as from Mirpur, Kotli, Poonch.

At no stage, we should ignore the interests of the people living on either side of the LOC, These people were forced to leave their homes after genocide, massacre of their kith and kins and left their property and remained displaced till date. Even after more than five decades of independence no one has come to their rescue. Can they call themselves the citizens of independent India when their homes are in POK?

Once again, I pray to the Almighty for the success of this mission so that much needed peace is restored besides aspiration of all the people of J&K are fulfilled.

Yours etc...
Yuv Raj Gupta
31, Trikuta Nagar,
Jammu

B.Ed. Colleges in Jammu

Sir,

A couple of years back there were hardly two to three private B.Ed. colleges besides one Govt. college of Education. All these are affiliated to the University of Jammu. But at present, things are drastically changing. The number of B.Ed. colleges is increasingly rapidly. A good sign indeed. However, all is not well these colleges. These colleges have turned into money minting machines. They enroll students beyond their intake capacity; caring least for the aspiring students. The quality of education is below standard. Another drawback is that a good percentage of students pass through these colleges, but most of them who are interested in doing M.Ed. can't do so because the intake capacity of Jammu University is very low.

So, it is requested to the authorities concerned to frame guidelines so as to prevent them from fleecing students.

Yours etc..
Sunil Kumar
Bakshi Nagar.
Jammu.

Age limit for politicians

Sir,

This has reference to Mamta Banerjee's statement advocating retirement of old aged politicians. We need their advice very much, their guidance but not at the cost of budding youths who are dashing and brimming with potential and vigour. It would be wrong to expect of a man having attained the age of 65 years to do something substantial bringing more harm than good to the country. It is equally enigmatic and ludicrous that a politician has been exempted from the age bar and allowed to continue to worship the institution of hierarchy. All the politicians having attained the age of 65 should be superannuated and treated at par with the Government servants. Democracy was absolutely a new experiment for us but has wrongly been applied. Even the application of socialistic order failed in India.

Having no restriction of age bar for the politicians it produces greed which generates corruption. The present impasse and chaos in the country is the outcome of this flaw. The growing no. of scandals and scams and unbridled corruption are the root cause of it.

The country needs total revamp of country's legal system. Rewriting the rules, systematic revival to ensure that the system keeps pace with the changing time and situation is very much needed.

The law enacted much be in tune, with such changes and realities providing facility to the people and society.

Intellectuals and jurisprudence will give a serious thought to it, agitate the issue and save the country from divine theory of kingship.

Yours etc...
P N Sus
129-Surya Vihar Bohri
Jammu.