Why this situation?

Sir,

The editorial "Any doubt"- it's 'Azad' Kashmir!" and accompanying articles by Mr. Kak and Dr. Bhat are quite informative. The question I would like to ask is how and why the situation was allowed to deteriorate to this level? Why has India been playing defence? Why was the local politics in the state allowed to sink to such low levels that the people in the Valley were sufficiently alienated to support an armed movement? Why was this allowed to take on Islamic identity? Why was the majority in the state allowed to marginalize the minorities? Why was the Center allowed to become so inept that it was caught sleeping? All that one needs to do to find out the sentiment in the Valley is to read Greater Kashmir! I only get to read the short on-line version but the message is quite clear! Why did everyone have their eyes wide shut? Why do people in responsible positions keep making stupid statements like "free and fair elections" as if elections in Pakistan and PoK have always been free and fair? After dumping Farooq in 1984, why in hell did they rig the elections to bring him back in 1987? Why does the government allow itself to be blackmailed? Why has not the state been integrated with the rest of the country? Why can't we learn something from China and Pakistan to pursue the national interest? Why do we get stuck with self centered politicians and bureaucrats? Who allowed the EU delegation to write a report as if it were dictated by Pakistan? Where is the patriotic leadership? Where are the people who can think and walk at the same time? Where are the people who can think, period?

Yorus etc...
Devinder Gupta
Via e-mail

Power of silence

Sir,

The suggestive title 'The sinister silence' may be philosophical (D.E Aug 21, 2004). In our time, a prescribed poetry book contained a poem' Home they brought her warrior dead' In that case, wife's shock conveys a lot in silence over the death of her husband. Words ultered on such condolence too offers a number of interpretations:

* I would prefer not to express my feelings

* I cannot tell you how I felt when I heard

* What can you say like a time like this

* We all will miss him (silently in heart)

* I have no feelings (to express being stunned) quoted from Niernberg & Henry; Meta Talk

In this book it is also stated in case of ladies' agreement' when a lady says no it means yes...'she was historical cum mythological Dropadi whose one utterance (addressed to Duryodhana) led to Mahabharata battle at Kurukshetra.

Hence, yogis & naturopaths advise to lock tongue to avoid unnecessary use of words. 'In silence, you become creative and this enhances your true nature. Silence, whatever its nature, is power. Great artists like Michelangelo received creative flashes in silence while walking or sleeping when you sit in silence, you are surrounded by rings of positive energy, healing both body & mind. This positive energy works wonders when the external & the internal silence merge (quoted from Aruna Jethwan's article 'silence & circle of Positive Energy, Times of India 30.9.03). Since man is the only speaking animal, it is better he should be moderate is speech & silence.

Your etc...
Prof Baldev Raj Gupta
New Garden Colony
Mission Road,
Pathankot