Developing
Ladakh
Sir,
The region of
Ladakh has a unique importance in our State.
Strategically located, Ladakh has borders with
Pakistan and China. By and large these borders
have not remained always peaceful.
Pakistan tried to
change the borders in Kargil misadventure of
1999. Mercifully had not some Ladakhi shepherds
spotted Pakistani Army we would have come to know
about the incursion when it would have been too
late. Similarly China too is playing its old game
of unsurpation of our land in Ladakh. Already
thousands of square kilometers of land is in
their control. Although we are engaged with
tedious border talks with them they still are
sparing no effort to ingress into forward areas
of Ladakh. Despite many requests the Chinese are
yet to give consent to the opening of route to
Kailash Mansarover via Damchok.
Thus under such an
adverse situation we are faced with, we have to
devise a long term strategy to secure Ladakh.
First we have to develop a sense of strong
assertion. The forward areas have to be manned
with well oiled defence machine. The overall
defence strategy has to be one of strength and
not only defensive. Our postures should deter
potential invaders. At the same time we have to
engage Chinese on equal terms in talks on border
issue. If the border issue is settled amicably it
will be the best bargain for both countries.
Internally,
Ladakhi people have two distinct identities.
Kargil is predominantly Shia and Leh is
predominantly Buddhist. The Government has to
ensure that the people in these areas are
developed and educated. Minorities in Leh or
Kargil particularly in Kargil has to be given
space in its development. Democracy has to be
nurtured in Ladakh so that people of every caste
or religion feel at home whether it is in Leh or
Kargil. The environment of development and amity
will make Ladakh internally strong which is vital
to fight any external potential threat.
Yours etc...
Dr. Anil Kumar
Leh
Hockey debacle
I
Sir,
Shocking defeat of
India at hands of Britain in the hockey Olympic
qualifiers has received strong criticism from
media, public and government bodies. I know this
has not happened for the first time in Indian
sports but, failure of qualifying for Olympics
for first the time in eighty years is a real
heart breaker. People have been aggressive enough
to raise question on background of selectors, the
selection system, corruption within board etc.
but the authorities once again have chosen the
same old escape route of blaming it on others.
Some people are
even blaming other games especially cricket for
the current status of Indian hockey, as cricket
is draining out all the funds and corporate
sponsorships. But the problem lies in the fact
that the companies don’t have any other
choice. Narayan Kartikein, Sania Mirza, V. Anand,
Leander Paes, Jyoti Randhava all have done well
individually in their games and have got due
coverage and contracts from media and corporate
world. But by far cricket is the only team game
where India has maintained a competitive standard
at international level making it the obvious
choice for viewers. Now media and corporate world
being in profit oriented business, prefers to
cover and advertise around what is expected to
give maximum exposure to their products. This
pattern is quite evident form the treatment that
Indian cricket team and its players got after
their first round exit form the 2007 world cup as
people stopped watching cricket and players
started loosing their advertisement contracts to
movie stars. People don’t love game in
itself they like the excitements of winning, the
love the ecstasy of seeing Indian flag flying
high. So, it all boils down to the performance of
players and teams.
What I believe is
that glorious days of Indian hockey are just one
major tournament win away. You do it and every
thing will change; viewers, media, sponsors
everyone’s attitude will take a you turn.
But, to achieve this, the IHF needs to make sure
that they do their basics write.
Yours etc...
Bharat B. Bhagat
Bhawani Nagar
II
Sir,
Our National game
hockey is at the lowest ebb. After the defeat of
Indian hockey team at the hands of the British in
Santiago has forced us all the hang our heads in
shame.
It is a debacle
that will not be ordinarily erased from the
memory. India team has never performed so below
par it did on 25th March. This defeat has dashed
all our hopes to do well in Beijing Olympics. For
the first time Indian Hockey team is out of
reckoning for the Olympics. A country which has
won Olympic gold for a record eight times will be
watching the game in the next Olympics on the
Television without its team participating. It is
a national shame. It is paradoxical when cricket
is given so high an importance Hockey has
completely faded from Indian scene.
The need it is to
do some thing drastic for the revival of the
game. The game deserves all our attention. How
can we sit peacefully when our National game is
suffering. We should devise a long term policy so
that we regain our glory in the game.
Yours etc...
Paramjeet Singh
Satwari
Jammu
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