Mailbag

Respect Religions

Sir,
Reference be made to the news item ''People protest against Movie'' published in DE dated November 2, 1998. Recently, the effigies of popular film star Shahrukh Khan, actress Kajol and Rani Mukherjee, Producer K K Johar and Director Yash Tohar were burnt by the agitated people of Sikh community in the Kathua town for hurting the sentiments of the community in the movie ''Kuch Kuch Hota Hai''. Moreover, the protestants denounced the Censor Board for clearing defamatory remarks against the Sikh Community.

Truly speaking, it is not only the Sikh Community but many other communities especially minorities and downtrodden classes as well as which have been presented in bad taste in movies especially old ones.

How strangeful it is, that all this is happening in so-called biggest democracy of the world. India is the land which respects all religions and faiths. We should be large hearted, above communal feelings and prejudices. Moreover, Indian constitution guarantees respect for all the religions and we should also act with responsibility.
Yours etc...
Vijay Bangotra
MBBS Student
GMC, Jammu.

Population growth in India

Sir,
Reference may be invited to the write up of Sh B N Pandita which appeared in DE dated 3.11.98. The writer has taken up a very important issue and has also made some valuable suggestions for controlling the growing of population in the country. There is no doubt that our country has made progress in all fields after independence but population explosion has negated our achievements. A large percentage of our population is living without adequate food, shelter, employment medicare, education, availability of land is also becoming scare. Over population has created law and order problem almost in every part of the country and our enemies have been able to exploit our youth to indulge in subversive activities, large number of our youth is indulged in crimes like thefts, murders, smuggling etc. whereas number of drug addicts, smokers and drinkers has increased many fold.

To get rid of all the evils mentioned above and to make the country and countrymen prosperous, control on population growth is the only panacea provided our rulers pay proper attention towards implementation of family welfare programmes in its righteous earnest. Despite huge expenditure on FP Programme desired results could not be achieved.

The following measures are proposed to be taken on war footing :-

q A legislation should be inacted and implemented strictly :-

a) All couples having more than two children should be deprived of facilities like subsidised rations, free education to children in Govt schools, free medicare, admission in technical institutions, route permits, licence of different agencies, loans of all kinds, employment for not more than one member in govt services. All newly recruited Govt and PSUs should be bound not to produce one or two children and in case of failure their future increments/promotions should be stopped after the birth of 3rd child.

q The people living on roads, remote areas and slums should be forcibly brought under F P Programme. Over population of this class can pose a great threat to the country's economy as also creation of law and order problems in the future.

q All NGOs and charitable institutions, social workers should be involved to educate the masses about the advantages and need of F P Programme.

A child cannot be groomed to become a good citizen merely with love and affection but sometimes harsher methods have also to be applied for his betterment. In the same way Govt will have to take some harsher measures to effect the implement of FP Programme to check the further population growth Otherwise, it will definitely become a great problem after 10 years due to the tremendous increase in the population.
Yours etc...
M R Gupta
Reshamghar Colony,
Jammu.

Scarcity of edibles

Sir,
Scarcity of daily use items is a regular feature in our country. Be it cereals or edible oils, gas or other petroleum products, we have learned to live with this phenomenon of shortages.

Way back in 1965, being posted in Pune then, thee was no rice available in the market and for 3 months we did not consume rice and switched over to atta in lieu. This is a great sacrifice for one who is a rice eater from ones birth. Recently there has been scarcity of onions and potatoes but the easiest way out is to stop the consumption of these and other basic vegetables.

However, the latest rumour of impeding scarcity of salt sent me dashing to the grocer to purchase enough of this commodity because this is one item which is almost impossible to do away with. I was reminded of the blockade of Kashmir valley in 1947-48 after the Pakistan attack and there was no supply of basic essential commodities. Surprisingly the valley was self sufficient in rice, milk, vegetables and meat products then. Sugar and salt was not available as it had to be imported from West Punjab. Sugar was not missed much but it is the salt for which the entire population suffered for more than 6 months. All house-hold members kept one salt piece, of the size of a glass marble, which was dipped in cooked vegetable for a minute or two to give a minute taste of salt.

Whoever spread this rumour of scarcity of salt must have suffered on this account like me.
Yours etc....
Sqn Ldr P N Sahib (Retd)
C-198 Sainik Colony Jammu.