Padma awards

Sir,

Four eminent personalities of the State have been given Padma awards this year. These awards have proved once again that there is no dearth of talent in our State. When it comes to excellence we are second to none. Many voices have been raised in past that these awards are not in some instances given to deserving people. But by and large these awards have been given to people who have made a mark for themselves in life.

Among these awardees two persons have been decorated with the second highest honour of the country -Padmavibhushana. Justice Adarsh Sen Anand who is a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India has been decorated with Padma Vibhushana. Justice Anand has done commendable job in the field of judiciary. He has maintained all along his career with a high degree of improbability and honesty. With this award the country has acknowledged his great services to the Nation. Another eminent personality who has been awarded Padmavibhushan is eminent economist and career diplomat P N Dhar. He has also distinguished himself in the field of public life.

Padmashri have been awarded to two eminent personalities viz Mohd. Yusuf Taing and Prof Amitabh Mattoo. Mohd Yusuf Taing is a famous literary personality of the State who has distinguished himself in the field of literature. Prof Amitabh Mattoo has brought fame and name to the Jammu University. This seat of learning has become famous now due to the efforts of this young and dynamic Vice Chancellor. It is a matter of great satisfaction that these sons of the soil have been decorated with Padma awards. These men have set an example for us to emulate.

Yours etc...
Pusphinder Singh
Gangyal,
Jammu

Control internal threats

Sir,

Few days ago on the eve of Republic Day address the President rightly underlined some important aspects that can contribute towards Nation building. Side by side she warned the Nation about threats which are internal.

Terrorism and Naxalism are two dangers that have ravaged the country for the last three decades. Public in eightees bore the brunt of Pak sponsored Sikh terrorism. Now Kashmir is reeling under terrorism. Sadly it has not stayed in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Terror has moved to North East and in sporodic incidents many places in the country have witnessed acts of terror. Similarily Naxalism has also killed thousands of people in Central India. Atleast five states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Maharashtra and Karnataka are hit by the Naxal related violence. These internal treats pose a grave danger to the country. Our neighbourhood is highly unstable. Pakistan has become a centre of terror. Bangladesh too is going the Pak way. Similarly relation with China are not as strong as they should have been. There are regular reports of border incursions in Arunachal Pradesh.

Such a situation needs to be fought with determination. With internal atmosphere so unfavorable we cannot bear to remain soft on internal front. Other enemy that we are facing is the menace of corruption. These large scale of corruption in the country which weakens the country. Money meant for poor people does not reach them. It is swindled in large amounts. Similarly alcoholism has ruined the lives of lakhs of households. The President was right in cautioning the citizens of the country. We need to pay heed to her caution.

Yours etc...
Suraj Prakash
Shakti Nagar
Jammu

Sa Ma Pa festival

Sir,

A news report was carried in this paper (Jan 30) about Sa Ma Pa Aalap festival.

Sa Ma Pa is a movement of music started by the son of the soil Abhay Rustum Sopori. Abhay is the son of the famous music maestro Pandit Bhajan Sopori. Sopori family has the same standing in music in the State as Abdullah family has in polities. The young Abhay has carved out a niche for himself in the music community of the country. Despite being young he has displayed an independence of mind that will help him to shine like a star in musical sky of the country.

It is worth lauding that despite being busy with music concerts all over the country and outside, he has made it a point to contribute to the music scene of his state. This, being glued to one's roots is a thing that is highly admirable. Otherwise there are very few eminent sons of the soil who have done something worthwhile for the State.

Music, nowadays, is under tremendous pressure. The classical music and folk music for which the whole country is proud, is getting faded due to the lack of interest among the young as well as lack of promotion. Media, especially visual media is also trying to ignore the great tradition of classical and folk music. All eminent persons, the world over have been ardent admirers of classical music efforts such as started by Abhay Rustum Sopori are thus highly praise worthy. There has to be an allround support for classical music and folk music. This is the real music. The music for soul and mind. It is hoped that the Government and Cultural Academy will do something concrete in this regard.

Yours etc...
Mohan Lal Gupta
Trikuta Nagar,
Jammu