Daily Excelsior... Editorial

EDITORIAL

Mind your language

No takers for losers

The Jain way of life

By Lt Col R K Langar

Earth is in trouble

By Prof R D Gupta,
and Dr Deepak Kher

And, so the verdict is: LoC!

By Dr. R. L. Bhat

EDITORIAL

Mind your language

This is only too well known that one language does not easily reveal its secrets to the other. Some times it leads to hilarious situations. An incident that readily comes to mind is of a verbal encounter between the wife of a professor from outside the State who had taken up a teaching assignment in the Kashmir University and a Dogri-speaking housemaid they had engaged at their residence in Srinagar. The latter was emphatic that what they needed immediately was "po". The lady of the house insisted that what was required was "bhoosa". There was an endless dialogue between them till a gentleman familiar with both the languages happened to arrive on the scene and clarified that they had meant the same thing --- fodder! In the highly-surcharged atmosphere following the terrorists' attack on the Parliament House in the national capital, an Urdu-speaking person landed himself in serious trouble. Waiting for a guest at the Indira Gandhi International airport, he was worried because of the agonising delay and shared his concern with a friend: "Wonder what 'masaail' (problems) would have happened. There are lots of 'masaails' at the airport…" He did not realise that he was speaking loud enough to catch the attention of a concerned young person for whom chaste Urdu was an alien language. Taking 'masaail' for missile the 'alert' and enthusiastic listener rushed to the police. Hoping for a big catch the uniformed man in turn lost no time in zeroing in on the perplexed target only to let him off after interrogation. Language can at times be funny. In any case it is always evolving. For the purists certain modern trends can be a big strain on ears. For instance, they will be hard put to interpret even popular songs like "ye ilu ilu kya hai, ye ilu ilu kya hai". They would have to take the help of younger family members or colleagues to understand that "ilu" is abbreviated form of "I love you". In a country where love like every other human emotion has been so elaborately explained both in scriptures and sculptures such a short cut may appear to be nothing short of blasphemy. Mobile telephones and short message service (SMS) are adding complex nuances to the language. "How R U" has already replaced "how are you". "TC" is for "take care" and "GTG" is short for "got to go". "U R GRE8" for "you are great' may leave one wonder whether one is being praised or ridiculed. This may lead those not exposed to the language of the busy and the young on the move to pull their hair in frustration.

However it is amazing when people in the same age-group tend to play with the words while giving vent to their feelings. Therefore, one is quite surprised that there has been a wordy confrontation between Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday leading to the latter's walk-out. It had its genesis in Mr Sharma asking the Chief Secretary in a matter involving some transfers "kar do ji" (which has been translated as do it). The Chief Minister instead wanted his deputy to be polite and address the topmost bureaucrat as "kar deejiye" (please do it). What followed is now widely known and hardly bears any reiteration. This is one of the wonders of the language that if not handled properly it can trigger hostility. Only recently we had stated in these columns that the Chief Minister could always assert his position to ensure a patch-up between his junior ministerial colleagues quarreling with each other. What can he do after he (even if he may have a genuine case) openly rebukes a near-contemporary in public life at a meeting and gets it back? The Cabinet functions on the premise that the Chief Minister is the first among equals and while all its members are entitled to have their word those senior in age and experience certainly expect to be treated with respect.

Normally both the Mufti and Mr Sharma are extremely cautious while talking in the public. This is perhaps the first occasion that they have stretched their dialogue to such unseemly limit. What would their junior and younger colleagues learn from this? How does it solve their problems, if any? A better course for them would have been to sort out the matter on the spot. It is in their own as well as in the interest of the stability of their ministry that they don't allow a "masaail" to become an unguided missile. Neither of them can claim benefit of doubt pleading ignorance about one of the most decent and melodious languages which also happens to be the official language of the State.

No takers for losers

A report from Kolkata that a cricket bat signed by all members of the Indian team has found no takers at an auction in the capital city of West Bengal does not come as a surprise. Only the naïve would rub his or her eyes in disbelief. These are the ways of the modern materialistic world. An outfit that was put on the highest pedestal after its stunningly successful tour of Pakistan in 2004 is down in the dumps in about a year following a disastrous performance on the home turf. The wounds are too fresh on the minds of its fans to heal immediately. What has added salt to them is the cricketers' participation in advertisements which may be just a few in numbers but have a multiplying effect because of their frequent display on television channels. A hurt public blames their pre-occupation with this money-spinning exercise for diversion from their main profession. There is hardly any logic in such thinking as cricketers are at liberty to pursue other lucrative activities like every other segment of society. But what is relevant is that tame losers have no takers in the present times (the Indian side's abject surrender at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground in New Delhi does not have an easy explanation). People expect their favourites to win and if, that is not possible, they want them to at least go down fighting. Why should they buy a bat signed by those who had let them down so badly?

The plight of the "bat" reminds one of the fate of politicians once they go out of power --- particularly of those who lose ministerial berths they had occupied because of reasons other than their own ground base. Hangers-on who crowd around them in their hour of glory just disappear the moment they are stripped of their authority. That is why the wiser among public figures always make a distinction between their genuine friends and those who move closer to them for serving their own vested interests. They learn by experience. Similarly, the Indian cricket team will also stage a come-back to regain its rightful place. There is no doubt about this. It has proved time and again that it is a world-beater. All that it requires to do is to work harder. The fans will then again flock around it and buy all its bats leave alone just one.

The Jain way of life

By Lt Col R K Langar

Jain religion forms an integral part of indian culture and heritage. Founded by Mahavira the 24th Tirthankara (State of perfection), Jainism is one of the major ancient religions of the world which originated as a reaction to Karma Kanda of Vedas. It rose as a revolt against animal sacrifice in the name of religion like Buddhism, Jainism is indifferent to Vedas if not opposed to e't. Jain Shastras stress that life is most precious. Never injure any life is the key note of Jain philosophy. It is on account of their utmost emphasis on 'Ahimsa or non violence that Jainism is considered today as a remedy to the violence which pervails in the entire world. Gandhiji is sometimes referred as greatest modern Jain for his championing non-violence.

Mahavira Jayanti Special

The ethical code of Jainism can be summed up as the five vows. These are non-violence (Ahimsa), Truth (Sathya), non-stealing (Asteya), celibacy (Brahmcharya) and non possession (Aparigreha). Non-violence takes a positive view of life and is observed very minutely prohibiting even destruction of vegetable life. Jainism maintain that truthfulness is essential to keep order and harmony in society. Non-stealing arises order and harmony in society. Non-stealing arises as a result of absolute contentment with one's possession. Celibacy is also applied to married persons who should observe complete, faithfulness to his or her life partner. Non possession implies that one, should have no desire to obtain more that one's just needs.

Jainism believes in no supreme spirit as the creator or governor of the universe. It emphasises the value of one's moral and spiritual effort in working out one's salvation instead of performance of rituals or worship. It believes in eternal nature of world and in a multiplicity of individual souls which when liberated from their worldly bondage maintain their separate existence in a state of blissfulness and omni scient consciousness. Jainism introduces concept of Karma in place of God. It says that man is architect of his own destiny and can rise by own effort and not by any grace of external agency. It says that no one can escape effect of own past Karma. The Karma accumulate in previous birth get attached to the soul which become the root cause of birth and death. Jainism believes that any one can obtain the state of perfection with self effort. Karma is the key to riddle of life. It says that worldly man is slave to two mighty currunts of mind - attraction and repulsion which are based on passion and desires. By following the ethical code one can turn himself from a slave to master. Jainism also preaches that one should avoid six vices which its terms as the internal foe of man. These vices are Anger, Pride, Deciet, Greed, Attachment and Aversion. It proclaims that one can escape sufferings of life by living an austere life, by purity and cultivation of virtues. If sufferings went out of life, courage, faith, patience and love will also go away.

Jainism proclaims that right conduct is the essence of knowledge. This knowledge is to be obtained from right understanding and is to be expressed in the conduct of a person. What is taught by conduct cannot be taught by words. It gives the example of a candle which does not preach but lights. This is very important teaching of Jainism. We do come across some scholars who claims to be knowledgeable but their conduct is below par. It describes spirituality as replacement of negative emotions with the positive ones. It defines spirituality as the source of consciousness

Another very important teaching of Jainism is Anekanta or doctrine of many sidedness. There can be many angles to look at a satisfaction. So one should be very analytical before forming a comprehensive opinion or being judgemental. Most conflict happen because of our inability to see other point of view. Seven blind men touched an elephant and gave seven views on elephant. But when they moved around the elephant they realised that each one was correct in his place, they were all wrong since their views were's limited by their respected perceptions. Another doctrine connected with Anekanta is syadvad of doctrine of many be or as far as I know which means not sticking to one's view and listening to others. Listening to others drops our rigidness on what we say. Absolute truth is one but there are many ways to reach and speak of it. Jainism, doctrine of Anekanta together with syadvad is ideally suitable for inter religious dialogue where we talk of one God, without a second in different ways and names. When we listen to others, we let go our attachment to our thoughts ideas and stand point which is the hardest thing to quit since they stem from our ego. We have to leave ourselves open to the possibility of some one also coming along and saying something convincingly. This also leads to reconciliation between different views and leads to unity of minds. Jainism affirms that two opposite views can coexist, as opposite views are relative. Anekanta is a powerful tool to end intolerance, dissension and conflicts. It is foundation pillar of religious harmony. Absolute truth is one but what we know is a part of truth.

There is a common misunderstanding about Jain religion that it is too rigorous to be acceptable to all. This is absolutely incorrect. No where Jain religion lay down harsh penance as a compulsory practice. Jainism gives the choice to man to practice spirituality to his own capacity. Jainism only guides man to march ahead to greater spiritual heights by doing good to others.

Jainism teaches introspection or self analysis to check if the man is developing good qualities. It says that you must first improve yourself before attempting to improve others. you can give something to others if you yourself posses it.

Jainism is a socially conscious religion which emphasises on living a virtuous life cooperating simplicity and nobility. Its concern for natural surroundings provide effective direction for protection of environment. It considers friendship and forgiveness as integral part of art of living.

Jain Vishva Bharati Institute (JVBI) which was established in 1991 is located at Ladnum (Rajasthan). It is an endeavour to practise, promote and propagate high ideals of Jainism like Anekanta (non- absolute outlook), Ahimsa (non-violence), Tolerance and peaceful co-existence. The institute undertake Research and Training in Jainology in the context of cooperative studies in world religions, non violence and world peace. The present preception of the Institute is Acharya Shri Mahaprajna who is who is working untiringly towards eradicating social evils, reforming social customs, building national character and educating the masses on the principles of non violence, universal peace and brotherhood. No wonder invaluable theories taught by Jainism makes Jain philosophy a universal philosophy which has raised the value of human life.

Earth is in trouble

By Prof R D Gupta, and Dr Deepak Kher

An adage, ''Plant More Trees or ''Grow More Trees'', can be well traced as far back as the Rig Veda. This was also popular with emperors like Ashoka, Harshwardhana, & Akbar. The Britishers too stressed upon to plant more & more trees particularly in cities & cantonments. Our Prime Minister, Late Mrs Indira India emphasized on afforestation and arboriculture and her 20 points programme included ''Grow More Trees''. This concept actually came into fore, about 35 years ago when developed but fatigued Americans led by Senator Gay Lord Nelson suddenly realised the forgotten sweetness of the ''Earth'' during 1970. Since then ''celebration of Earth Day'' has be come a catch word. He began to plant the trees during his past time on side walks, holding green rallies, hosting Nature's lovers meetings etc. The main purpose behind this was to save the Earth from its degradation done by population explosion of humans & industrialization.
It is an established fact that there was no degradation of the planet Earth from its very existence upto an actual human race which is believed to come into being about 1.0 to 1.5 million years ago. But due to increasing multiplication of Homo sapiens and their rapid development in every sphere of life through science & technology the terms like degradation of environment, contamination & pollution have come into play in very short span of life.

Ecological considerations - problems

Today the world is beset with the problem of ecological imbalance spewing, thereby, air water and soil pollution, land degradation & soil erosion, frequent flash floods, longer spells of drought leading to great loss in agriculture & horticulture, marching towards deserts and loss of flora & fauna. Green house effect, loss of proctive cover & ozone and acid rains are the other but a few manifestations of our in sensitivity to the environment & ecology.

The study of World Worldlife Fund (2002) indicated that if the natural resources continue to be exploited at the current rate, the Earth's population would require another planet equivalent to the size of Earth by the year 2050 as existing resources have already been exhausted. It is point to mention that world's population would be 9 or 9.5 billions, which is at present about 6.80 billions. This study is based on scientific data from across the world, shows that more than a third of the natural world has been destroyed by the humans over the past three decades.

Above study also narrates that the seas will become emptied of fish while forest which absorb carbon dioxide emissions- are entirely destroyed & fresh water bodies/sources become scarce & polluted.

Over exploitation of Earth's oceans has intended the North Atlantic's cod stocks, which have collapsed from an estimated spawning stock of 2,64,000 tonnes in 1970 to under 60,000 tonnes in 1995.

The study has also revealed that there was sharp fall in the Earth's various ecosystems. Earth's forest cover has dwindled by 12 percent and fresh water ecosystem by 55 percent during 1970 to 2002. African elephant number has diminished from 1.2 million in 1980 to half a million up 2002. Many migratory birds visiting to different wetlands have been turned away due to pollution problems. A number of animals and plants species have got extinct from India also.

Air, Water & Soil Pollution

A recent study conducted by US Environment Protection Agency has estimated that air pollution alone results in deaths costing 5 billions to 16 billions US Dollars annually and various diseases caused owing to polluted air costs about 36 billion US dollar. It is worthwhile to note that the US places the greatest pressure on the environment with Co2 emissions.

There is a very grim picture of fresh water availability throughout the world especially in many developing countries. Asian rivers are found to be the most polluted in the world with 3 times as many bacteria as found in human waste on global average basis. India figures third among 122 countries which provides the worst quality of water to its citizens. It is as per the United Nations Report (2003). The future of many countries of the world looks bleak in reference to the projected population growth which will continue to be a driving factor in the water crisis. It is because glaciers and mountain snow peaks, the natural reservoirs which feed many of the world's rivers are melting.

Thus, the Ecological imbalance continues to compound the situation world wise, is a cause for great concern to the ecologists/environmentalists.

Global warming

In the recent decades, it has been found that Earth's atmosphere is getting warmer than the normal. This additional warming of the atmosphere has been given the name ''Global Warming''. Global warming is affecting the entire world which results from increasing atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide. Other gases causing global warming are chlorofluorocarbons and methane.

Global average temperature for 1969-71 was 13.99 degree celsius. By 1996-1998, it was 14.43 degree celsius a gain of 0.44 degree celsius. The scientists have predicted if carbon dioxide concentrations become double, Global temperature is likely to rise by atleast one degree Celsius and perhaps as much as 4 degree celsius. This will alter every ecosystem on the Earth. Coral reefs are already being affected in nearly all the world's oceans stretching from Pacific to Indian ocean. Record of sea surface temperature over the last 2 years (2001-2002 & 2002-2003) have wipedout 70 per cent of coral reefs from Indian Ocean.

The change in Earth's mean temperature will be visible by 2050 when the temperature will increase by 1.5 to 4.5 degree celsius. These changes will be least in Tropics but maximum at Pole's countries like Greenland, Norway, Sweeden, Finland, Siberia, & Alaska will be among the most affected. The melting of the Polar ice caps will result in the increase of sea level by approximately 5 meters, threatening thickly populated cities of San Francisco, Japan, Bangladesh, Shangai & many others.

The general predictions which may happen in the years to come in the Himalayan region including J&K Himalayas, are as under :-

i) Growing season will shift from autumn to spring & spring to summer.

ii) The growing season of crops will be extended.

iii) Plants currently growing in the valley will colonise in higher reaches.

iv) Species with specific nitch on South facing slopes will be threatened.

v) There will be overall increase in plant productivity.

vi) Broad leaf species will be vulnerable and evergreen conifers will cover large area even in north facing slopes.

Ozone layer which protects us from the effect of harmful UV rays from the sun will also be affected causing a number of diseases both to the humans and other animals as well as plants.

Acid rains have already destroyed black forests of Europe vis-a-vis thousands of lakes and other aquatic ecosystems. Thousands of hectares of arable land have rendered unfit for cultivation.

The most serious threat to the soil is posed by deforestation which results in soil erosion. It has been estimated that about 25 billion tonnes of top soil are being lost from the world's crop land every year. And this will cause great loss to economy.

And, so the verdict is: LoC!

By Dr. R. L. Bhat

Before the Pak president embarked on his Indian visit, in the garb of a cricket fan, he talked of turning the LoC into a softer border. At the end of his visit, after talking to one and all and including the joint statement, over which the Agra visit had floundered, the solution very much in the air said that it is LoC. And that is that. Elaborating the point over the meeting with the editors in new Delhi the Pak president held up his fingers to count the constraitns and options. He counted three saying that they cannot be ignored. The first thing he counted was the emphatic Indian point that there could be no redrawing of boundaries. The third was the Pak opposition to turning the Line of Control into International Border. In the middle stood the option and way out. It , as Musharraf put it , was of 'making the LoC to do something…to become irrelevant'. Make your own solution out of these three, he told the pressmen. Incidentally, it was the in much the same way and phrase that he had talked last year of solving the issue of Jammu and Kashmir by the dividing it into seven regions and letting each region to decide for itself.

So what is to be made of the conclusion of the recent summit meeting between India and Pakistan which was not to be summit meet, which was not to make dramatic headway in relations between the two but ended up doing just that. Along the way the Pak president also discounted the much talked about 'referendum' or 'asking the people'. How do you ask the people, he asked of the media men and then answered that it was not to be through referendums or anything of the sort. There he accepted the Indian stand that the resolution of the 'issue' of Jammu and Kashmir is something to be taken up and decided upon by the leaders of two countries wherein the inputs and opinions of others may matter but would not be conditional to the stands which different factions in Kashmir may take. Probably, it was this reality and assessment that the Pak president took so long to explain to the Kashmiri separatist leadership. No wonder the leaders, who have all along enjoyed Pak patronage and sponsorship direct or indirect, came out of the meeting with Pak president dazed and distraught.

The significant assertion in the joint statement that 'the two leaders pledged that they would not allow terrorism to impede the peace process' completed the knockout. Taken together with the emphasis on economics in the joint statement and otherwise, the hope that the two countries can yet come together, talk peace and resolve the differences and issues harassing them may not look too far fetched. But to arrive there they have to put the hostile attitudes behind them; they have to understand each others compulsions and appreciate them. Pak endorsement of the prime minister Man Mohan Singh's assertion that the talks have to be beyond the adjustments and redrawing borders is an appreciation of the Indian position on the issue. Short of that any number of measures and adjustment in possible. At the same time there is the anxiety on the part of Pakistan that the issue should not be completely given a go by. Given the peculiar way the Pak polity and governance proceeds, where nobody knows when and where the drowning may come, they need to keep all the straws in the water.

One mistake that the Indian analysts often make here is to take the Pak compulsion as a compulsion of the leadership only and not a dictate of the public. It is true that the manner of Pak leadership, especially the one of army usurpers, imposes its own compulsions. It may also be said that once the process is begun there is no going back on it. Thus once General Zia embarked on islamisation the process became irreversible. But that takes one to the question of the very founding of Pakistan. What was Pakistan demanded on and got for, in the first place? Again, whatever the apologists may say, the beginning of the whole was a determinate aggression in the garb of tribal invasion, by the very founder of the Mamlikat-I-Khudadad. Clearly the 'compulsion' has more to it than the obvious need of emotive crutches for the undemocratic usurpers clinging to power. Somewhere it touches the very premise of Pakistan, which the leaders lacking popular support fall back upon and employ for their own use and pleasure. use and pleasure sometimes forces new compulsions on them. Peace with India is a new compulsion. It is producing agreeable results at least for the time being.

As the situation stands, India and Pakistan have no option but to accept and come to grips with the realities of the situation. India won't allow a redrawing of boundaries. And, that is a finality. Pak has experienced it firsthand for quite some time. The Pak president accepted in New Delhi. At the same time India too has to realize that it is as difficult to get Pakistan to relinquish its hold on the territories occupied by it as it is unthinkable of her to cede any part of the nation. After beating around all bushes in the subcontinent the only solution available is to accept LoC as the border between the two countries and get reconciled to it. If it is hard to call it International Border, call it LoC. If it helps soften it further or in the clipped idiom of Musharaf: 'make it do something - make it irrelevant'. Do anything you want to it, call it by whatever name you want, make it soft, porous or whatever else you fancy, it is the line that says: up to this mark is India and hereafter begins Pakistan. Like it or not, that is the end and truth of it.

LoC as the dividing line is the only solution that India and Pakistan can agree upon. Beyond it there is no solution. Apart from it, there is really no option available. If there is to be cooperation, if there is to be peace, if there is to be amity, trade and commerce between the two they have to settle on LoC as the dividing line, the point of separation or in plain terms the border. Before anybody may get euphoric, there is a caution here. Short of a wary and vigilant vision there is really no way for india to keep the anti-elements out. There is a need to remember that irrespective of whoever birthed the terrorist establishment and how, it is a reality of Pakistan and pretty much out of the hands that control Pakistan today. Hurriyat may be distressed today, but it not friendless there. Softer LoC may make it acceptable but it also makes it permeable to sinister efforts and intents. It also keeps the options open for converted-to-peace presidents there as ready straws to catch at any drowning moment.