Snow storms

Sir,
Snow has lashed entire Northern region of Asia. As our State also falls in this region there has been high snowfall in the higher regions of the State. Even fifteen to twenty feet of fresh snow was reported in higher reaches of the State. Temperature fell down to a record level. Leh posted-29oc. China, not too far away from Leh has been virtually crippled. There, tanks were used to force open the roads, and machine gun volleys were fired to clear ice from power transmission lines! unprecedented!
In Jammu, rains have brought much needed water to the depleting water table. But cold has lashed through out the region. It has made things difficult for people. Warm clothings were already in use but to ward off extreme cold heavy pullovers, Mufflers, mittens, inners, Jackets etc proved little effective. The biting cold ran through the warm clothings like a razor through a lump of butter. I think of people who live in higher regions but lack such amenities as we have. Life for poor people is always tough. In extreme cold it is much tougher. Many old persons have died because of such severe cold.
Man, is powerless is front of nature. Although in general we are facing global warming there has been a good measure of cold, winter and snow. Perhaps weather Gods have showered mercies on us. Ample snow and rain means more quantities of water for summer. It is a veiled gift for summer. But so many passengers are stranded on the national highway. It is disturbing to see them suffering because of the steep prices being charged for a single cup of tea. The Government has to ensure that people who are stranded mid way are provided relief.

Yours etc..
Subash Duda
Kabir Nagar
Talab Tillo

True knowledge

Sir,
We are living in the midst of a knowledge revolution. In usual terms knowledge as such defines educational qualifications as well as subsequent power to earn. Any person whatsoever knowledgeable he may be cannot win the admiration of people unless he has power to earn and register his living as swanky as possible. A fleet of long three box cars, gleaming liveried servants, palatial bunglows are not an appendage but most desirable essentialities attached to the present day knowledgeable person. He should have a control over media or atleast should be media savvy. Notwithstanding how rustic he may look, a knowledgeable person has to master the media to his advantage. Are we not witness to the phenomenon in our country? Infact we are. There are many such persons who have mastered the art of how to be a knowledgeable person. There are many people, who can air their 'expert' opinion from finance to family welfare! They remain in media glare and as said earlier have power to command respect and adulation.
Tell me for sure, with hands on your heart; do you believe this means true knowledge. We will think for a while and assuredly will not say yes. This reluctance tells all. We are unsure in our opinion. This unsureness is the only hope for future. Because we have different vision of true knowledge in our lives. For us it means renunciation, honesty and integrity. Above all it means a power to judge between good and evil. It also means a right balance in life. If we develop an urge to know true knowledge then we shall become free of many of our ills which are acquired and not natural.
Yours etc...
Sandeep Chawla Ludhiana
E-governance
Sir,
A newsreport was published in this paper (Feb 3) about e-governance having failed to take off in the State.
In this context it is important to submit that e-governance is highly important to the future development of the State. Gone are those days when there were huge piles of files gathering dust in offices. Their lives were rendered pale and many were motheaten. But strangely it is not the era in which such things have ended completely. In our State offices that sight is visible even at present. Bigger piles of files on a table means 'huge' work to be done and on the underside it means 'good' money to be extracted from persons whose cases are in those files.
The Government itself is not interested in incorporting a system of e-governance even in the secretariat which is the hub of Government administration. As per the news report unsatisfactory working of this programme which was started in April 2002 was detected by CAG (Controller and Auditor General of India) in its annual audit report. There should be sense of urgency in incorporating e-governance in administration. After all a time has to come when we shall have to bid a goodbye to old system and adopt new modes of administration and governance which are not only modern but people friendly.

Yours etc...
Puyush Salgotra
Rehari, Jammu