Mailbag

Rename the school

Sir,

Doda, the far flung district of Jammu province has produced many heroes and late Nk Nek Singh is one of them. Nek Singh belonged to a valiant Rajput family of village Kanhal about 20 kms from Doda. He wanted to join Army and serve his motherland. He joined the 2nd J&K Rifles. This batallion got the task of eliminating militancy from Kashmir.

In one of the most daring attack against the insurgents in South Kashmir Nek Singh was given the task to eliminate a strong hide out of the Hizbul Mujahideen militants. Not caring about his life he developed friendship with the militants in a domestic manner. Militants were not knowing his real identity. One day when he got a chance, he single handedly killed six militants. As he was out of ammunition he was badly injured in the encounter. He died in Military Hospital Udhampur. He got the Shuriya Chakra posthumously (twice).

The District admission Doda has done nothing to honour this great son of soil. The Government should therefore, honour him by, by naming, the High School Bhalwal after him.

Yours etc...
K N Sharma
Research Scholar
G.H.S.S. Bhalwal

Necessity of knowledge

Sir,

This has reference to the article ''Education Sans Values'' by Prof. S K Bhalla published in your esteemed paper dtd 16.09.99 I agree with his points that Education has lost its value in today's world. There are very less number of people left in this time who could ever think of the kind of education the children are getting. Students are no more interested to know the passage from where the values of life canbe learnt.

Everyone is now running after the materialistic world which also cannot be achieved without the proper knowledge of that particular object. It is not that one should devote oneself entirely to learn the age old culture but an alignment has to be made with the other important aspects of life. This canbe made possible only by gaining knowledge but that too with truth fulness.

Finally, to progress without forgetting our customs, the parents and the teachers would have to play their most important roles with sincerity.

They can enlighten the minds and spirits of youngsters who are ultimately the pillars of modern society. It is only with the attention of parents and moral conduct of teachers which would make a better tomorrow. Only then, we would feel proud of being human beings- the Supreme Creation of God!

Yours etc...
Vandana Bhatia
Shastri Nagar, Jammu.

Practical approach-I

Sir,

This has reference to the article 'Laden's threat and challange to security forces' written by M L, Kotru on 25th of Sept. 1999. The threat of Laden a Saudi Billionaire turned terrorist to world peace in general and Indian security in particular cannot be under-estimated. The bombing effected by USA on the fortifications of Laden have not really dampened the evil pursuits of terrorist Kingpin. In fact, he has increased his purview of operations by publicly proclaiming that India is the next country after USA where his Jihad will extend.

The Indian security forces which have been fighting trans-border terrorism for now two decades have not been able to strike a decisive blow to terrorist groups. Their actions, interalia have been by and large defensive. This means they act only when they are provoked. This is the reason why the terrorist have been wandering without fear amongst the common masses in the terrorist infested areas.

With the new BJP Government about to take over the reigns once more, we hope it will take renewed measures to combat terrorism. These actions should not only be on paper but should be practical. The proactive policies should be considered whenever necessity arises. USA comprehensive. Moreover, America should cooperate with India on this subject to give a final blow to militancy in the world.

Yours etc...
Ravi Kumar Sharma
A-26 Bharat Nagar,
Talab Tilloo Jammu.

Practical approach-II

Sir,

The recent threat by Osama Bin Laden, that he would target India and the US is of serious concern to the world. The Saudi dissident is financing International terrorism for quite some time now. The International Community needs to wake up to the threat of International Terrorism, and act soon!

Yours etc...
Vishal Sharma,
Mumbai, India
91-22-3640279
aconium@hotmail.com