Be it the centre or the states, coalition governments are set to be the new political dispensation for this country. This judgment has been pronounced by a veteran Congress leader and Union Health and Family Planning Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. He was addressing a massive rally at Devsar in Kulgam, a traditional stronghold of PDP Chief, Mufti Muhammad Saeed. This is the first time that Azad has come out of his Doda-Bhaderwah constituency and extended its limits to South Kashmir. It will be recalled that Congress-PDP coalition government led by him in its second stint of three years was brought down by the coalition partner, namely PDP when it found that Azad was becoming popular with the masses for some revolutionary reforms and projects which he had intended to float during the remaining term of his office at that time. Stepping into Devsar and succeeding in finding a huge audience to listen to him, is how Azad would be avenging his ouster three years ago at the hands of PDP. In political terms, one can say that it is for the first time that a politician of the State coming from Jammu region has been trying to make dent into the valley and at a time when things are still not that normal. This is a very healthy sign of our leaders coming up of age and looking beyond the short circuits of localized politics.
There is much truth in what Azad imagines of coalitions as the future dispensation for the country. The days of single party system are over. The fact is that with economic conditions improving and development being of satisfactory level, various identities have surfaced that would demand devolution of power and share in power structure as well as decision making system. For too long we have been fumbling with religious identity. But experience in social history has shown us that there are other identities more sensitive and more vociferous than mere religious identities and no government can afford to sweep these under the carpet. Connectivity has also contributed considerably to the cementing of identity processes. All this is indicative of maturing of our political awareness. Consequently leadership has to change tack and become responsive to the aspirations of the masses of people.
In the political scenario of the State, Azad thinks that Congress has a crucial role to play in future politics. But in his address he profiled Congress something like a lynchpin that would determine the pattern of coalition. Congress is a national level party. It has a history and a name notwithstanding a few debacles here or there. That is inherent in a democratic dispensation and should not become the decisive verdict for such a party. Therefore to think of State Congress playing only the second fiddle does not go down the throat. Congress should have lofty aims because of its status, network, and diversity of leadership and futuristic vision of the Indian society. If Congress leadership demonstrates its will to do, there should be no reason why it cannot form a Government on its own. The myth of valley to be in the driver’s seat must be exploded. To make people believe that Congress will perform only the role of king maker does not behoove the premier mainstream political party in the country. Its aspirations must be as high as the sky. But of course what matters is the honesty and impeccability of leadership. Give class leadership to the people and they will give their unstinted support. That is the axiom one has to bear in mind in regard to future political dispensation in the state. People are fed up with and abhor corruption, bribery and double speak. Mind you the vote in the next assembly election will be the vote for non-corruptible persons and institutions. Sure, political parties will lose some of the historical sheen they wore and the focus of the electorate will be on individuals, their reputation, their honesty and incorruptibility. It is good if Congress leadership has gained some experience from its stints with coalition governments either at the centre or in states. This dispensation reinforces the concepts of tolerance and universalism. Azad is very right in saying that the objective of a coalition is not to poke holes into the pockets of partners but to fix the priorities that meet the aspirations and needs of the people. Parameters of future politics in our country have to be people based rather than party based. Diversity is the hallmark of our state’s construct and discrimination will be its Achilles heel. That is a harsh lesson all political activists should keep in mind. Therefore the foremost principle for any coalition government in the State will be of abandoning for ever the politics of discrimination. Overcoming discriminative mindset is easy said than done.  But it is the litmus test of democracy intheStat

Mailbag

.Faulty primary education
Sir,
The ‘‘Elders Day” is celebrated every year  great pomp and show to highlight the importance and the vibrant role the elders have performed during their green yeThis has reference to the article ‘Primary education’ DE April 27.
The health of primary education as has been reported in the above said article is not good. This situation has arisen due to non-serious approach of the politicians and the concerned bureaucrats. The planners in the Education Department are to a great extent responsible for not framing a comprehensive policy which will ensure quality education at primary level. Though many schemes are in vogue to promote education sector, there is no strict implementation of the same.
For example the Sarva Shiksha Abhyan (SSA) was launched with great pomp and show throughout the country. It however, failed to achieve objectives because it was not implemented in true spirit. The supervisory staff did not show much interest  in implementing it; they are rather busy with doing paper work to keep record y‘clean.’y
There is no paucity of funds. But there is no proper utilisation of the same. That is the reason our schools lack basic infrastructure to provide quality education to students.
Moreover, the standard of syllabus taught in schools is of low quality as compared to private schools.
Yours etc……
Vikas Anand
Rehari Colony
Jammu

Sachin’s political inning
Sir,
Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar’s nomination to  Rajya Sabha has generated a debate across the country with most of people, particularly fans and sports person not in favour of his nomination. They believe that politics being a different ball game may effect his performance in the field as  he is still playing for the country. Besides, he will lose the Goodwill of Indian masses in case he joined politics. There is much substance in the argument.
In case he joins politics that too  Indian politics, there is every likelihood that he can neither serve Rajya Sabha nor could  he serve the field of his passion cricket. In either case it will be a loss to Sachin at individual level and to the country.
Before playing his political innings, the Master blaster should think twice over the issue. He is Icon who has a  mass following unlike any other sports person in the country.
Yours etc…
Amit Kalsotra
Jammu

Value crisis
Sir,
Every cultural society across the globe has its own value system which has become a norm for that society. Every value system is based on a cultural logic.
Indian society has predominantly been an ideological society which is based on belief and emotional feelings.
With the onset of economic liberalization, modern education has penetrated in our cultural society. It has successfully influenced the psyche of people of our society particularly young generation. Young generation which mostly comprises a large proportion of adults and teenagers have liberally embraced cultural values of modern society. These cultural values are based on rationality and logic rather than belief and emotional feelings.
Elderly people of preceding generation who have grown and bred in traditional value system find themselves misfits in the new modern value system. This has resulted in value crisis through which our present society is passing through.
This is a serious situation with which our society is grappling. There should be efforts from all the concerned to propogate the philosophy of both the value systems to make it a happy and prosperous society to live in. Younger generation in particular should be educated to be conversant with traditional values like showing respect to elders, celebrating traditional festivals, relish their cultural cuisines and so many things. Parents, teachers, media can play a healthy role in this direction.
Yours etc….
Ramesh K Raina
Jammu

Savita Gupta, the proud daughter of Jammu brings great honour to her hometown by being elected as Mayor of South Delhi Municipal Corporation. This is the first time when a Jammu daughter has been able to step into public life at the prestigious position of Mayor of the capital city. A BJP nominee, she defeated her Congress rival by comfortable 20 vote lead. She was already elected as Corporator thrice in the past but this time she made it to the place of pride. Hers is yet another solid example to prove that there is no dearth of talent among the youth of the State. But two things matter; one is their personal ambition and aspiration and the second is that of an opening and exposure. In her new avatar, Savita will have space to reach wider sections of people in the capital and work with broader networks that cater to the improvement of life in the capital city. She is well poised to be in the forefront of political leadership of her party. While she has unending commitments and business with her local constituency, we expect her to find time to chastise her party colleagues in Jammu on the matter how they have let the people down particularly those who have all along remained closely linked to the party. We hope she will inspire the local BJP in Jammu and stop them from mutual mud-slinging spree.