Tulip Tableau

Sir,

Tulips will be showcased in the Republic Day Parade this year. It is interesting to note that something worth to be proud of is coming up in the State. We shall be having the largest Tulip garden in Asia.

In Siraj Bagh on the banks of the famous Dal Lake the largest Tulip garden in Asia is coming up. We have already seen it grow. For the last three years there have been Tulips blooming in the garden. Many locals as well as Tourists who have seen such breathtaking tulips have vouched that they have not seen such a Tulip garden or such a sight any where else.

In our country Tulips are not grown in such a big numbers. But in alpine regions Tulips are as important as any other flower. In Holland Tulips are world famous and they earn millions of euros through Tulip trade. We impotently wait to stroll in a Tulip garden where different varieties of Tulips are grown in great numbers.

Jammu is also impatiently waiting for its Tulip garden which will be the twin brother of Siraj Bagh. It is being built near R S Pora on a huge piece of land measuring hundreds of acres. It will be a great addition to the city of Jammu. Invariably this Tulip garden will create a new attraction for lakhs of tourists who visit Jammu every year. We hope that the Tulip garden at Jammu will come up soon so that the Jammuities could have a glimpse of the Tulips.

No wonder that Tulips are thus being tableaued on the Republic Day Parade. We long to see that sight when Tulips will bloom on the both sides of the river Tawi. We have seen too much blood shed. Too much blood has been spilled. Let us now grow Tulips. Tulips of love and Tulips of peace.

Yours etc...
Reshmi Pathania
Sidhra
Jammu

Pak elections

Sir,

Pakistan election commission has deferred elections which were to be held on Jan 8 to February 18th. Reasons given are simple. Due to the death of the Benazir Bhutto the country is not in a mood to contest elections.

On the face of it the decision is sound. Atleast to every common man this sounds very reasonable. Soon after the death of Benazir it was unethical to press for the elections on the previously set date of 8th January. Had the Government set themselves that deadline it would have sent wrong signals for the people of Pakistan. They would have doubted that the Govt was only rushing through the election. They must have some ulterior motive behind the whole facade of holding elections. But in Politics, things are not as simple as we common people believe. Behind every move is weighed the pros and cons of electoral prospects.

In a country like Pakistan which does not have solid and abiding legacy of Democracy, elections are not trusted as they are in India. After the assassination of Benazir, the political atmosphere in the country has changed for worse. People's party has announced its leader in Billawal. Mr. Fahim will lead the party in the elections. It is quite likely that PPP will cash on sympathy vote. But with a military regime so lightly seated it is to be seen what will happen in Pakistan after the elections.

Yours etc...
Manoj Sharma
Bantalab
Jammu

Moral values

Sir,

As human beings we have to behave like humans. Humans are animals but with a difference. They have better brains and thus have an edge over the other animals.

The main thing that makes the difference more vital and pronounced is the moral values. If we think that without values humans can do well in life then we are badly mistaken. We should have a deep thought to the situation or to that life when we are without moral values.

What are moral values? Some may raise the question. Are moral values about one particular aspect. I mean to say does morality only cover the sexual aspect of the man and women relationship. To me it is an emphatic no. Whereas sexuality is important. It is not the all important premise on which our moral edifice is built. Morality is a state of mind. It is something that cannot be forced down the mouth. It is to be realised that moral values have to pass from generation to generation. Moral values are overall concerned with love for humanity. They are concerned with the dignity of human life. How we carry ourselves forward in society is dependent on moral values. Our relationship with elders. Our sense of duty towards our country. Our civic sense. Honesty, integrity and moral strength are highly important in sharing moral values. Teachers and elders have to discuss them with their students. Parents have to impart them to their children. Moral values may be easy to talk about but they are different to he imparted unless we are our selves elevated.

Yours etc...
Prakash Suri
Trikuta Nagar
Jammu