Mailbag

Promotion of Dogra Culture

Sir,

This has reference to the news item in the D.E dated 03/11/2004 titled ''Abhiyaan's campaign to revive Dogra cuisine". The Abhiyaan a Jammu based NGO deserves kudos for its efforts to launch a campaign to revive the Dogra cuisine which is stated to have been presently usurped by other cultures. In this regard cookery demonstration of traditional Dogra dishes held by the NGO on 02nd of November, 2004 in which the prominent people of the state participated was really a laudable endeavor on the part of the NGO. The Dogri dishes presented in the traditional utensils as seen in the photograph was in fact a delight to watch. Its also a matter of pleasure for the people of the state to know that the said NGO has plans to hold such demonstrations in different parts of the state in order to popularize the dogri dishes among the people of the state in particular and the public having affinity to other cultures in general. The NGO is also planning to bring out cookery books, CD's containing recipes for Dogri dishes and providing training to the cooks etc besides demonstrating these dishes more prominently in the Annual Jammu Mela held in the city.

The traditional Dogri food is still very popular in the villages where one can see preparation to traditional Dogri dishes in utensil popularly known as "Sagley" during functions/celebrations and then serving them in tree leaves called "Patal'' by the hosts with much love and affection. The same culture has lost its grace in the cities with the passage of time, and the campaign launched by the said NGO with the cherished aim of reviving the traditional Dogra culture is really a step in the right direction, to be applauded by all.

Besides promoting the traditional Dogri dishes, I would like to urge the NGO to supplement their campaign with promotion of Dogri language as well particularly by creating awareness among the parents of the country who are many times seen scolding their kids taking in Dogri during functions or while travelling in matadors. Hindi being our national language do deserve the respectable place but parents forcing their children talking in Dogri to use Hindi instead is a sort of attempt to derive them away from the mother language and such tendencies on the part of such parents need to be curbed.

Yours etc...
Ravi Sharma
Shakti Nagar, Jammu

Towards reconciliation

Sir,

Refer news item 'New Isreali Palestinian ties buoy peace hopes' published in the Daily Excelsior on Nov. 17.

Israeli-Palestinian cooperation since Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's death is a welcome development.

If these people could maintain peace, it will be good both for world and the Middle East.

Moreover, it can pave way for an independent Palestinian state as was the wish of late leader. The Middle East has witnessed huge blood shed over the last 50 years.

The word community should appreciated every single step that may be taken to restore peace in the region.

Yours etc...
Vivek Raina
Gangyal Jammu

Living in co-existence

Sir,

This has reference to the news item "US study says India, Pak can co-exist peacefully" published in the Daily Excelsior. The study conducted by the San Francisco based Asia foundation seems to be partially true. The two countries though born from the single state-India have different indentities. India is a secular and democratic country while as Pakistan is a theoractic, and military ruled country. There does not seem any meeting ground between the two.

India has been advocating that she does not want to play the role of a 'Big Brother' with the neighbouring countries. Even with China we had a panchshed agreement to maintain peace in the region. But that is not the case with Pakistan. Pakistan has always used violence to achieve its nefarious designs. She attacked India four times and is currently sponsoring cross border terrorism.

Unless Kashmir issue is resolved to the satisfaction of Pakistan, she will keep on fomenting trouble is one way or other for India. And in these circumstances it is very difficult to say whether the two countries can co-exist peacefully.

Yours etc..
Ritesh Gandotra
Gandhi Nagar Jammu

Withdrawal of troops

Sir,

Reduction or withdrawal of troops from troublesome J&K State shall in no way reduce the challanges of terrorism or infiltration from across the borders. As & when such type of steps were taken, from different areas, the situation there had deteriorated from bad to worse. The law and order situation shall also worsen with the result the number of infiltration will increase and each and every person in J&K shall feel insecure in absence of the posts of troops and there routine petrolling especially during night in far flung areas.

Generally, troops are meant for the security of general public and not for sitting idle in their barracks. They must be deployed in troublesome area for the safe guard of general masses. In fact the security of leaders who plead for withdrawal must be withdrawn on which hectic amount is being spent by the Government.

Let, these leaders also move freely like ordinary man without any security and see the result. They must be asked as to why they are demanding withdrawal of public security and on what basis?

Yours etc...
V P Kotwal
112-A Janipur