Mailbag

Do homework properly

Sir,

''Today people are unaware of their spiritual potential. In such a situation the easiest way to bring about spiritual unity is only to make man aware of it''- Says Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (Spiritual Unity of mankind, p 6- Daily Excelsior, December 6). The Maulana himself suffers on this count. . Had this not been the case with him then he should not have said: ''.. and it has been proven that, over the centuries the Bible has been subjected to alterations and additions. Its present form is no longer as the prophets originally taught it. Alongwith prophetic inspiration, it has received a fair injection of human interpolation. For this reason, one cannot rely on explanation given in the Bible, nor is it proper to explain the verses of the Qu'ran in the light of the bibilical statements. ' ''(Extract from Woman : Meaning of Adam's rib-Daily Excelsior dated March 29, 1998).

Let it be known to the Maulana that the Divine Providence has preserved the precious book from any tampering or corruption by human hands. Through Moses, God ordered the Jews not to add or subtract from what He had commanded them. ''Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.'' (Deuteronomy 4:2) Solomon, the wise also testified in a similar manner: ''Every word of God is pure; He is the shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar.'' (Proverbs 30, 5,6). In the book of Revelations we have a stern warning: ''For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book; and if anyone add to these things God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book, and if anyone takes away from the book of prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.'' (Revelation 22 :18-20).

After reading these warnings, is it possible that any believer could corrupt the words of God? As far the evil men, they would not have been able to corrupt the Holy Scripture either, because it would have been impossible for them to collect millions of copies scattered the world over and alter them. However, before I would demand of the Maulana to present to me what according to him could be the original text of the Holy Bible, it shall be pertinent to produce the Holy Qu'ranic evidence which would dub his contention that the Holy Bible is corrupted, as purely a figment of his imagination. ''Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If they fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are those who rebel.'' (Surat Al-Maida, Ayat 51). ''Those were the (Prophets) who received Allah's guidance. How the guidance they received; say:'' No reward for this do I ask of you : This is but a reminder to the nations.'' (Surat Al An' am, Ayat 90). ''Say : O people of the Book! you have no ground to stand upon unless you stand fast by the Torah, the Gospel, and all the revelations that have come to you from your Lord. ''(Surat Al-Maida, Ayat 68).

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is enjoined to take light given to the people of the Book as his example, for they have received Wisdom and Prophecy. ''It is He who sent down to thee (Step by step), in truth, conforming what went before it. And He set down the Torah (Of Moses) and the Gospel (Of Jesus) (Surat Al-Imran, Ayat 3). This Ayat tells us that God sent down the Precious Book for the guidance of mankind. ''Then, in their wake, we followed them up with our messengers : we sent after them Jesus, the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel and we ordained in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy.'' (Surat Al-Hadid, Ayat 27).

''O ye who believe! Believe in Allah and His messenger. And the Scripture which he has sent to His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent to those before Him. And anyone who denieth Allah, His Angels, His Book. His Messenges, and the Day of Judgement have gone by far away.'' (Surat Al-Nisa, Ayat 136).

It is for the Maulana to meditate deeply on these Qu'ranic texts to find for himself clear proof for the honesty of the early Apostles and Christians who cared for their Book. These Ayat are also clear witness that the Bible is inspired by God. This agrees with the attestation of Christ's Apostles as to the accuracy and inspiration of the Book.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan in his write up under reference ( March 29, 1998) referred to above says : ''Alongwith prophetic inspiration it has received a fair injection of human interpolation. ''Here he is accusing the Apostles of Jesus of corrupting the Holy Gospel. The learned scribe should take note of the fact that the Holy Qu'ran witnesses to the nobility of the blessed Apostles, calling them ''Hawariyan'' (friends) and fellowship of Jesus Christ and God. Let it be known to the Maulana that the Bible is the most reliable source, even though it is not intended solely as historical narratives. Modern discoveries have proved in absolute certain terms that no tampering hand has ever reached them : ''All scripture is given by inspiration of god'' and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inspiration, that the man of god may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.'' (II Tomothy 3:16).

Let the Maulana be aware of his spiritual potential before advocating the same for others. To criticise some others faith on groundless grounds is not in good taste. : ''Respect Others faith for your faith shall be respected.'' says the Holy Qu'ran.

Yours etc....
(Predhuman K. Joseph Dhar)
Jammu-Tawi.

Deliver Goods

Sir,

How much time will ''BJP'' take to deliver goods properly is difficult to guess. But being the ruling party, it must understand the miseries of a common man and provide prompt redressal to their problems. Sky rocketing prices have broken the back of every men from the last 8 months. Mere continuation of Government does not matter. What matters is govern the nation in such a way so that people may not suffer from any side.

Atal Ji, the honest PM among Indian Prime Ministers is fully aware of the miseries of common men. It is now right time for him to prove his ability. BJP stalwarts must realise that it is the rise in prices which is the main reason for their defeat in MP, Delhi and Rajasthan. Govt shall have to frame such policies so that the prices are curbed to some extent.

BJP shall also consider the elections recently held in Delhi, MP and Rajasthan as ''red signal''. It is time to correct their wrongs.

Further being the ruling party there shall be no more delay in passing bills like Lok Pal Bill, Insurance bill and women reservation bill. Nine months is enough time to deliver goods.

Yours etc...
Chand Zutshi
Jammu University.

Education

Sir,

This is in reference to the news item (IGNOU & NCERT) to reach door step which appeared in Daily Excelsior dated 2.12.1998. According to news item IGNOU and NCERT will reach more than 500,000 students in country and abroad through their Distance education and correspondence education system. This is a welcome step taken by IGNOU &NCERT authorities. Today if we look at the present education scenario of India we can easily find that formal education system has failed to cope with the emerging needs and demands of the individuals and the aspirations of the society. India is a large country with a large population and there are millions of such people who are capable but could not get education due to lack of facilities. And to ensure educational opportunity to every one non-formal education has become must. In non-formal education, distance education and correspondence education assume a vital place.

In this type of education system, students enjoy advantage of studying at their own place and in their own independent way. There is no inter -action between the students and teachers. Students and teachers are linked through TV Radio, correspondence, printed material, internet, doubt clearing letters etc. etc.

In words of professor Holmberg Distance education is the various form of study at all levels which are not under continuous immediate supervision of tutor present in lecture room or on the same premises, but which nevertheless benefit from the planning, guidance and tuition of a tutorial organisation.

Main aims of such education system are:-

*To provide education to those who could not get education due to poverty.

* To enable people to learn and earn

* To eradicate adult illiteracy

* To universalise primary education

* To improve professional and academic qualification, and many more.

* Success achieved so far by this system of education makes people to put more faith in this system because formal system of education has failed to achieve the target.

Lastly I feel that when population of our country is growing at a tremendous rate and nor economy is in poor condition then only non-formal system of education can prove a significant step towards better education.

Yours etc.......
Sandeep Rana
Near Police Station,
(Doda City)

Continue honest efforts

Sir,

When Delhi, Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh States geared up for recently held Assembly elections, one thing was clear from various pre-poll surveys that anti-incumbency factor will decide the future of these states. To counter this phenomenon, BJP reacted by making a quick & abrupt change of guard in Delhi i.e Mrs Sushma Swaraj replacing Sahib Singh Verma as Chief Minister of the State. Many political analysts considered it a wise move as the target of the opposition as well as general public ire Mr Sahib Singh Verma was removed from the scene & person with better image i.e Mrs Swaraj was brought in. BJP did whatever they could do to retain at least Delhi if not Rajasthan & thought that anti-incumbency factor could help them past a win in MP. The BJP's think-tank thought that victories in two states would automatically neutralize loss of Rajasthan.

Prime-Minister Atalji in the meantime repeatedly averred that results of these assembly elections shall not be treated as referendum on central Govts, performance. He also, being star of BJP, involved himself in addressing various street corner meetings to ensure victory of BJP in MP BJP,s gameplan was to try & see that price-rise does not dominate the election scene.

The Congress went to any elections for the first time under Mrs Sonia Gandhi's leadership. In MP, Mrs, Gandhi took care of infighting by making Mr Digivijay Singh, the Chief Minister, accountable for the election results. While selecting candidates Mrs Gandhi took care of anti-incumbency factor by putting up new faces on majority of seats. Congress under Mrs Gandhi 's leadership was successful in making BJP's Govt's rule at centre a key issue, mainly sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities. This is what we call leading from the front & it paid huge dividends when Congress party swept the polls for the first time since the heady days of 1984 elections. It goes to the credit of Congress party that they were able to successfully convey the issue of BJP Govt's non-performance at the Centre to the masses in all states.

People were watching Mrs Gandhi's political conduct right from the day her husband Mr Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. Her reluctance to take over the mantle of party leadership or the leadership of the country even when it was offered to her on a platter was much appreciated. However, when she eventually did take over the reigns of the party after pressures from all quarters, the Congress party under stewardship of Narasimha Rao & Kesri had touched its nadir & was almost written off by political pundits.

Mrs Sonia Gandhi started from scratch but by her political behaviour & conduct she succeeded in getting back the confidence of the Minorities, Dalits, OBC's & other sections of the society who had moved away from the Congress under Narasimha Rao & Kesri. She achieved this by making less noise & more by her political conduct. In any history, I am sure she must be the only leader to have achieved so much success by her ''Conduct'' alone.

In Delhi under Mrs Sonia Gandhi's leadership, maximum Sikh candidates won on Congress ticket. This feat, which was solely achieved due to personal efforts of Mrs Gandhi, was thought as impossible proposition only a few days ago post anti-Sikh riots in 1984. Majority of Muslims, who had moved away from Congress after Babri Masjid demolition, voted for Congress. Our t of 111 BSP candidates in Rajasthan 102 candidates forfeited their security deposits. All this indicated that Minorities, Dalits & OBC's were coming back to Congress.

In Chattisgarh area of MP, where BJP expected maximum seats (BJP gave the impression that they were the champions of Chatisgarh Statehood concept), the Tribal belts believed in Mrs Gandhi's leadership more than anything else.

This election has clearly established that people of this country believe that sincere & honest leadership still exists & that was a major reason that they overwhelmingly voted for Congress. People. noticed a clear & sincere attempt to try & remove criminal element by the Congress leadership. People realise that system cannot get rid of such mess over night & as such rewarded Congress leadership for at least making a honest attempt to clean the system.

Congress under Mrs Sonia Gandhi's leadership will have to continue its honest, efforts of putting this country on road to progress & prosperity.

Yours etc...
Dr Mehboob Beg
Former Cabinet Minister
J&K State