National integration

Sir,

India is a land of diversity. Here many languages are spoken. Many regions have their own ethnic flavour. The way of life is different in at least in food and some traditions. But the under laying fact is that India is a unified whole where there is a common strand of Indianness that goes all along its length and breadth.
But the recent trends in the country's politics seem to have taken a turn for events which are not conducive for the right and balanced development of a matured political system. All divisive forces like religious fundamentalists, communal diehards, liqiuistic fanatics, caste chuvnvinists and regional protagonists are working overtime to meet their parochial and selfish ends. The rise of regional aspiration is good but under noway can we afford to have a polity that harps on only regional aspirations while as the national feelings and issues are sidelined. The interests of the nation are important. Regional politics has come handy for the maverick politicians who want to come on the national scene and try to dominate the central authority with their narrow regional view point. This has diluted the collective will of the centre to act meaningfully.
The politics espoused by people like Raj Thackerey is an eyeopener. How a person can exploit the regional sentiments can be well understood from the recent developments that have taken place in Maharashtra. Here a vertical divide has taken place between the locals and nonlocals. The result is that industries are already having a toughtime in Maharashtra. These incidents are not good for the strengthening the bond of unity within the different regions of India. This divisive politics has to be shunned for all times.

Yours etc...
Authar Krishen Razdan
Lale Da Bagh
Jammu

Leopard attacks

Sir,

Leopard attacks have taken place in the State. These attacks have increased and have resulted in the killings of many peoples. Many more have been injured in these attacks.
It is highly important that the authorities take a cool view of these incidents. Wild life is already decreasing. The unstoppable ingress into the forests by man for more land and timber has brought him into a direct conflict with the denizens of the forests. The result is that there has been such incidents in which many people as well as animals have been killed.
The declining forests and the continuous pressure of man on the forests has denuded the jungles of the wild life on which animals such as leopards prey. The recent heavy snowfall has shown that animals had to fend for themselves and were thus seen to roam in villages. Already wildlife is on the decline in the State. Animals like leopards are at the top of the food chain found in the forests of the State. The incursions of animals has put one thing straight. There is a paucity of the wild life on which these animals prey. The reasons is that there has been a general decline in the health of these forests. Trees have been mercilessly cut down. Forest land has been usurped and changed into habitation. Under such circumstances it is highly important that we devise a new policy towards the conservation of wild life. But conservation of wild life is linked to the conservation of forests. Hence we need to focus on the conservation of forests without which conservation of wild life is meaningless.

Yours etc...
Rohit Gupta
Sainik Colony
Jammu

Shiv Khori Shrine

Sir,

A news report was published in this paper (Feb 16) about Shiv Khori Shrine.
In this context it is important to note that Shivkhori is one of the most sacred spots in the State. The antiquity of the Shrine predates many centuries. Some weeks earlier it was decided to set up a Shiv Khori Shrine Broad so that the Shrine could be developed at par with other important shrines of the State.
The news report has revealed that now decks have been cleared for the establishment of the Shiv Khori Shrine Board as the Governor has given his nod to the bill dealing with the constitution of the Shrine Board. It is now hoped that after the formulation of the Shrine Board, the Board will sit and seriously consider different steps necessary to make the shrine popular among the people of the State and outside.
One of the most important things that the people need in this regard is the connectivity.
There should be regular bus services from Jammu and Katra to the Shrine.
Then there have to be arrangements at the shrine for the residence of the pilgrims. Dharamshallas equipped with modern facilities should be put in place so that pilgrims do not feel problems to stay in the shrine for a day or two. When this basic infrastructure is in place then people will start pouring to have the Darshan of the Shrine in large numbers. Shiv Khori has a tremendous potential for pilgrim tourists and all efforts should be taken to ensure that the shrine is developed soon.

Yours etc...
S L Mehra
Akhnoor,
Jammu