Mailbag

'Kashmir without KPs is incomplete

Sir,

Sincere love for exiled Kashmiri Pandit expressed by Dr. Ali Mohammad Bhat in his letter 'Kashmir without KPs is incomplete' in Daily Excelsior on 21.5.1999 caused me to acknowledge his feelings.

There are certainly a large number of people in the Valley who feel disgusted and sorry for the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. I would like to appreciate the efforts of Mr Bhat in gathering courage to explore his human feelings through media. His homage paid to the departed souls of KPs is natural and laudable. I express my personal gratitude to Mr Bhat and would like to add one thing that militancy can break the flesh but cannot destroy the humanity which always speak against atrocities, suppression and crime. One can suppress the truth from the world but how can one keep ones soul and spirit polluted with false arrogance. The human spirit surmounts all barriers of carnal limitations and leads a person towards truthfulness and righteousness. Mr Bhat's feelings might have gone to the bad ears of a sizeable lot in and outside the valley who might have begun mounting pressure on him to desist from sending such type of letters to the media but I am sure the attempt might have lit the lamps of hope and confidence in the world of darkness too. Usually the writers from the valley hesitate to express their inner feelings towards these exiled people fairlessly but it is, in fact, best to be fearless, since it gives you an opportunity to say a few words from the heart.

If all minded people shall resolve to re-shape their future, days are not far away when all crest fallen people find themselves back in their paradise on earth i.e. Kashmir.

Over last 10 years, we have seen our beautiful garden (Kashmir) being plunged into disturbance and peace disappearing under the shadow of gun-culture. Thus we have now frightened masses with their lips tied, bearing mutely brunt of apathy of militants and armed forces.

The attitude expressed by foreign mercenaries towards women is pretty despicable character as reports of kidnapping, rape and murder appear almost daily in our news papers. The people prefer this news go easily slipped into the corner of the column and search for another good one. But let us ponder over the humiliation and loss suffered by these victims. Let us also pay homage to all those who laid down their lives keeping the honour of the whole nation in high esteem.

Yours etc....
Pawan K. Pandita
143, Durga Nagar, Jammu.

Soiled currency notes

Sir,

Despite unambiguous and repeated notices flashed through the electronic media; viz: Door Darshan and Radio by the Reserve Bank of India advising the people to exchange the soiled currency notes of Re. 1/- Rs. 2/- and Rs. 5/- denominations at the specified banks, it has been observed that transaction in such currency notes continues unabated; thus negating the instructions of the Reserve Bank and forcing the unwilling consumers to accept such soiled notes when they offer good-conditioned currency notes to the vendors conductors. This indifferent behaviour on the part of such persons dealing in soiled currency notes is beyond the confines of decent human behaviour and rule of law. Just a couple of days back I offered a fresh Rs 5/- currency note to a shopkeeper who had to return to me Rs. 2/- as the cost of the commodity I purchased from him was only Rs. 3/-. He withheld the Re 1/- coins and instead offered me a soiled deshaped Rs. 2/- C. note. I reminded him of the Radio, TV announcements whereupon he replied that he was not supposed to go to the Bank for exchanging the said C. note. I at once flashed reply telling him whether he was assigning such duty to me. He was quite mum.

It is, therefore, obvious that unless the Reserve Bank declare its possession as illegal, nobody may be prepared to take the trouble of going to the Bank and get these soiled C. notes exchanged.

The Reserve Bank may kindly note it for action.

Yours etc...
R. K. Sher
Sarwal, Jammu - Tawi.

Democracy in danger

Sir,

Democracy has not been implemented in the true sense in India as is evident from recent events and indiscipline known by MPs in the Parliament. Our leaders are not enough mature to act in a responsible way. It seems they really do not know what is meant by politics. Politics does not mean the ways to grab power but a way to govern a country. Present day politicians are not interested in the welfare of people but only in their personal benefits. They use power not to serve people but for their selfish ends.

The irresponsibility of our leaders is evident from what happened in the 12th Lok Sabha. There was only pandamonium and no work. It gives us a feeling that whether we really need a parliament? What is the fun when it take several years to pass important bills. The opposition which was labelling itself as constructive in reality gave a setback to the democracy.

They ousted the Government by a margin of single vote, that too of a person who was holding the highest office in Orissa.

It seems that even voters do not know about the real power of democacy which is evident from the fact that even uneducated, illogical and even people with criminal back ground are being elected to Assemblies and Lok Sabha.

This is a direct consequence of the fact that about 50 percent of our population is illiterate. They do not know even what their rights are and what benefits they can get from democracy. These people get easily exploited by the politicians on the basis of caste or religion.

The educated citizens too seem irresponsible. They do not even consider it appropriate to cast their votes. They hardly bother to go to polling booths as they consider it below their status. This has greatly affected the country. Only the educated people have real sense of democracy and know which candidate will be better for the country. By not casting their votes, they dishonour the country.

Yours etc....
Sandeep Warikoo,
Trikuta Nagar Extension, Jammu.