Security concerns

Sir,

Amarnath yatra is to start from 18th June. It will end on 16th August. For full three months the yatra will continue. As expected lakhs of people will visit the State. At first they as usual will reach Jammu and then proceed to the Valley. In many ways Jammu is the first important lease camp of the yatra. The city of Jammu will be the host to thousands of pilgrims which will pour out in the city from different parts of the country and even abroad.

Keeping in view the latest incident of Samba. It is imperative that we keep a tool proof security system in place that will give an assurance to the pilgrims that their lives are safe to a resonable extent in the State. There will be serious attempts on the part of the militants and terror organisations to disrupt the yatra. The incursion bid of the militants at Samba and at other places indicate that the militants have a diabolical plan up their sleeve. They shall leave no stone unturned to ensure that peace in the state is disrupted.

In order to make yatra a successful one from all angles it is incumbent upon the security forces and authorities to provide all possible security to the yatris. We have to devise a multipronges strategy to stop militants from carrying out their sinister designs.

Yours etc...
S K Sarin
Jammu Cantt

Chicken Pox

Sir,

It is really disturbing to note that chicken pox is spreading in areas of Kathua at a rate that is faster than anticipated.

In this context it is important to note that the disease is a viral disease. As such chicken pox is not an easy disease to tackle. Antibiotics have no influence on the virus. It does not spread through food and water. It was amazing that some doctors say that it spreads through water and food. Pregnant ladies have to be extra carefull in this outbreak. Immuno suppressed people and pregnant ladies should avoid contact with chicken pox affected people.

Children are usual target of the virus. And if early steps are not taken then the disease will spread. But by the status of the present condition and if we go by the media reports (DE, May 10) then the disease is spreading rapidly. The concerned authorities have to ensure that a mobile medical team is pressed into service. This team should inform and educate the people about the necessary precautions that have to be taken to avoid the spread of the disease. Primarily people have to insulate their children who are already affected with chicken pox. They should not be allowed to go to school or mix freely with other children. Water has to be boiled before drinking. It has to be ensured that we keep surroundings neat and clean. Para medical staff should be pressed into service. We have to treat the out break of chicken pox on a war footing. The authorities should leave no stone unturned to do everything possible in this matter.

Yours etc....
Dr R Parihar
Jammu

Human evolution

 Sir,

Man has coursed a long journey through history. The latest reseaches prove that man came very late on the stage of the great spectacle of life. Only a few lakh years ago man took a crucial detour from the apes and went on his own course. Presently, we find humans every where. They have populated the Earth in a comprehensive way. The reasons for the success of man as a species are very interesting. These reasons are quite understandably very far reaching also. The capacity of brain size increased in man which gave him a quick decision making mechanism whereby he could make amends on spot and store those experiences in his brain.

Secondly the capacity to walk on two legs had a significant influence in his life. He could walk swiftly and in case of any eventuality he could run for cover. The upright walking mode made his arms free. Now he was free to explore possibilities of his forelimbs. He used them with great ingenuity. This step was highly important for the role that mankind had to play in future.

Thirdly, the morphology of his hands made it easy for him to shape tools of all kinds. The thumb which is seperated by a distance from the fingers played a pivotal role in the great evolutionary ascendency of mankind over other animals. Imagine a hand without a thumb. It cannot do any meaningful work that a hand is supposed to do.

With all these labours of mother Nature humans have evolved into what we see them today. A highly intelligent race with mastery over many forces of nature. We have created countries, cities, civilizations and technologies. But have we been able to live peacefully with ourselves ? Questions, like these are important. After all why does man shed blood in the name of religion and other petty things ? Why do not we live with love and peace with each other. We have to know that it is only love that will make our evolution complete. Otherwise we will be like chemical machines who are only at the mercy of harmones, and chemical reations.

Yours etc....
Dr Pragya Khanna
Nanak Nagar
Jammu