Why placate the USA?

IT seems today we the people of India, by and large, have abandoned our sense of self-respect. This may sound something harsh and unpalatable, but, then, truth is often bitter. How else do we explain or justify our very meek and unmanly response to the intolerable insults that the USA is so audaciously hurling on us, one after the other. We are almost craving and cringing before the stubborn and dictatorial postures being adopted by Mr Clinton and his coterie.

What India has done in carrying out the Pokhran II tests was wholly in consonance with its security needs. And, strangely, instead of feeling strong and proud, the government and most of its leaders are appearing unnerved by the American pressures. It is a pity that petty internal squabbles and small-minded political considerations have in a way cost the country dear. The central government’s weak-kneed policy and its readiness to send its emissaries here and there at the dictates of America are, to say the least, something incomprehensible. What crime India has committed that we are feeling the need to placate the USA and its stooges.

After the successive nuclear tests the nation should have exhibited the nerves of steel and the veins of iron. Instead, we are behaving as if we stand on the feet of clay. Let us take a leaf out of the example of China and Iran. These countries did not succumb to American dictates. America had to compromise with these countries. Are we worse off than even Iran?

Are we the same Indians who in 1921 under very adverse circumstances made a great success of the Non-Cooperation Movement under Gandhiji’s leadership? With huge bonfires of British mercantile and other goods, the very foundations of the then mightiest empire was shaken. And today we are so shamefacedly patronising American goods on vast scales. Perhaps we are drowning ourselves in the sea of American commercial operations. We have become crazy and are mad and galloping at everything that is American.

The 1921 Non-Cooperation Movement did the country proud. If the shaky and feeble legs of the government cannot bear the onslaughts of the hot-headed US President and his cronies, let the common people of India gather courage and make history repeat itself. Let us boycott everything this is American, and surely, sooner than later, sense will dawn on them and they will start behaving. We dared the British in the 20th century. Let us dare the Americans in the 21st century, which is so close by.

D. P. VERMA
Panchkula

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“Mr” versus “judge”

Mr Anupam Gupta through his article published on Monday November 16 posed a very pertinent question (‘Mr’ versus ‘judge’: who is to judge?) and answered it too.

He said that “No judge, no jurist could draw a better distinction than that”. I fully agree with him and would also like to submit my point of view that a Governor has immunity from all law suits. Because of his position as Governor, he is the Chancellor of a university, but in this later position he is not immune to any law suit.

Stretching the point further, I submit that a minister is a law-maker sitting in the legislative assembly whereas he is a policy-executor/servant in the secretariat.

These two positions of one person are like two sides of the same coin. Therefore, the judge’s position too is the same. A judge is a judge when he is engaged “in the discharge of his duties” in his court room or in his chamber, and he becomes “Mr” while speaking conducting his affairs at a public meeting at a public place.

OM PARKASH WADHWA
Gohana

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Plight of Iraqi children

Apropos of the news analysis “Secrets of Saddam Hussein’s sorrows” (Nov 18) by Mr T.K. Ramasamy, it is an unhealthy trend that the (united) nations of the world are turning a blind eye to the pitiable plight of the ordinary people of Iraq.

Countless children are dying of hunger because of the unavailability of basic food items. The sick and the diseased fail to get the desirable treatment as there is an acute shortage of essential medicines, primarily because of the arrogant attitude of the USA, wanting to continue with the morale-breaking sanctions.

Undeniably, the USA has shamelessly managed to hijack the United Nations. And the rest of the world seems afraid to stand up and speak against the bully. At the slightest pretext, the USA bares its fangs to intimidate not just Iraq but anyone who dares to differ with it in its pursuit for oil, more oil, nothing but all the oil in the world. God help those who come in its way.

If even now no nation dares to stand up and speak for the human rights being denied to the Iraqis, then the day is not very far when some other nation might have to bear the brunt of the big bully’s dictatorial attitude.

How can the rest of the world be mute spectators and allow this situation to continue? Perhaps, Pastor Niemoeller warns succinctly:

First they came for the Jews

and I did not speak out —

because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the communists

and I did not speak out —

because I was not a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

and I did not speak out —

because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me —

and there was no one left

to speak out for me.

VIVEK KHANNA
Panchkula

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A clogged system

Mr Joginder Singh deserves appreciation for his article, “India’s ineffective rulers” (The Tribune, Nov 17), in which he highlighted the clogging in the Indian system at various levels.

Looking for a godfather or connections has become a must in today’s scenario. The common man, who has neither of these, is running from pillar to post without gaining anything.

Persons occupying high offices have little regard for the havenots. Government employees are enjoying a perpetual holiday. Corruption has become the order of the day. The system is plagued with all sorts of ills. Character and discipline are nowhere to be seen. Political bosses, under their own compulsions, have turned their faces to the other side.

Will there be any change? Hoping... against hope.

BIMAL GUPTA
Una

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Mind power

The article “Political degeneration” by Mr Bharat Wariavalla (Nov 16) provides a great insight into the present national scene and provokes introspection to save our democracy.

In fact, it is the greed for money and more money which melts the netas and obedient babus. A criminal buys the loyalty of these netas and babus to promote his own business. The question is: who “produces” these criminals? They are not thrown on earth from other planets.

Yes, we need social reformers like Raja Rammohun Roy, Vinoba Bhave, Jayaprakash Narain and Mother Teresa, and not caste politicians who spread hatred and divide communities just to secure votes. We need to know the art of equal distribution of money to all classes of people.

Our economy does not recognise human values. There is a yawning gap between the rich and the poor, and it is increasing. I feel criminals are from the neglected classes, and they develop hatred for human values.

By richness we mean money power, and fail to recognise the richness of mind. Democracy can survive only if we start rejecting the netas showing money power, and adopt those who have rich mental faculties.

(Dr) BHIM AGGARWAL
Panchkula