DSOI: correct position

  I read the write-up “What ails Chandigarh’s DSOI” by Mr Jatinder Singh Bedi in The Tribune dated 22.10.1998. I have to state that some of what has been said in the article is factually not correct.

The Defence Services Officers Institute (DSOI), Chandigarh, has been set by the Punjab government for the welfare of defence officers, retired or in service. A piece of land, about two acres in area, was allotted to the Director, Sainik Welfare, Punjab, in 1991 for the construction of the institute’s building. The entire cost of the project has been met by the Punjab government without any financial contribution from the Western Command.

The Punjab government then set up a governing body for taking decisions regarding the construction of the building with the Governor as its Chairman and GOC-in-C Western Command, as its Deputy Chairman besides other civil and defence officers. The Defence Services Officers Club (DSOC) was got registered under the Societies Registration Act at the initiative of the then Director, Sainik Welfare. However, when he gave an advertisement for enrolling members and collecting membership fee and subscription, his action was challenged by Col R.C.S. Mann and others by filing an application under Order 3 of Rules 1 and 2 of the CPC in the court of Sub Judge Ist Class, Chandigarh, on the plea that defence services’ officers welfare was a subject to be looked after by the Ministry of Defence and the state government has no role to play in this matter. This application was dismissed by the court vide its orders dated 11.8.1993 when it held that the welfare of the serving and retired defence services officers was within the legitimate functions of the state government, and there could be no objection to the formation of the DSOI. The issue thus stands closed, and there is no “determined bid” to claim the institute by the Western Command as alleged in the write-up.

Unfortunately, there arose a dispute between two groups of members, and another body was got registered under No 2522 of 1996 as DSOI. When the tussle for the possession of the building escalated between the rival groups, the court, apprehending a breach of the peace, restrained both parties from exercising any control on the affairs of the institute, and appointed the Secretary, Defence Services Welfare as the receiver. As per directions of the court, the receiver has been sending quarterly reports showing the financial position of the DSOI. It is not correct to say that the income of the institute has declined. Rather it has got a big boost since the receiver took over. The cash assets of the DSOI have increased by about 40 per cent since then. Recently, on a pressing demand from the members, a well-equipped kitchen and two toilets have been provided in the building. This has removed the glaring deficiency in the facilities available to the members. The final judgement of the court is still awaited, and action will be taken at the government level after the receipt of the judgement.

GURBINDER CHAHAL,
Receiver-cum-Principal Secretary,
Defence Services Welfare, Punjab,
Chandigarh

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NFL compressor burst

This is with regard to the news item “Negligence behind NFL compressor burst”, published in The Tribune (on-line edition) on October 19. The news item mentions the failure of a “cube” compressor in the Bathinda unit of National Fertilizers Limited. As far as my limited knowledge goes, there is no such machine in any of the NFL plants. In all probability, this mistake was due to a communication error. Care, however, must be exercised in order to avoid such mistakes.

Kudos to you and your staff members for bringing out The Tribune’s Internet edition. It helps “Pardesis” like me feel at home, at least for the few minutes that I spend reading the On-line Tribune each morning.

GAGANDEEP SINGH GREWAL
Detroit (MI, USA)

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Cyber war

I have read the article “Now a cyber war on Kashmir” by Mr Roopinder Singh with interest. I have myself gone on various websites regarding the issue of Kashmir and found that Pakistan is doing full advertisement regarding this issue. Any Indian, whether residing in India or abroad, who reads it will want to know what the government is doing regarding this. Is it following in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi? But I don’t see any logic in that because a lot of people are dying on both sides, and everybody wants peace whether an Indian or a Pakistani. When will the two countries agree for this?

NIMMI
Melbourne (Australia)

(Received in response to The Tribune’s Internet edition. )

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Unique achievement

By winning the Nobel Prize for Economics, Prof Amartya Sen has raised our head high in the world of letters. It is a unique achievement and we feel proud of it.

MASTAN SINGH RANA
Chandigarh

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Morality today

This is with reference to Mr A.K. Suri’s letter that appeared in The Tribune on October 19, under the heading “Honesty & happiness”.

Undoubtedly, honesty leads to happiness since we remain at peace with ourselves and maintain our self-respect. Additionally, it cements our relationship with our Grand Creator. Regrettably, morality has gone downhill and that is why man is suffering more than ever before. Family life is breaking apart, youths are going astray — neglecting their cultural heritage and just aping the Western culture without exercising their power of discernment. The Bible says: “Happy are those who are conscious of their spiritual need” (Matthew 5:3). It is, therefore, very essential that our moral fabric be restored before it is too late.

It would be too idealistic to expect our youths to appreciate moral values unless we ourselves set a good example. This equally applies to all of us, particularly parents and teachers. A writer once remarked: “Be honest and be sure that at least one rascal is less in the world.” Concrete action on this wise counsel needs to be taken as soon as possible in order to ensure a happy future for us.

We should put more emphasis on moral education in the curriculum for our children, Possibly, schools can have a period exclusively for moral education, or at least this can form as a vital part of social studies. In general, our environment is replete with immoral poison. Audio-visual programmes, commercial publicity and literature, all put too much emphasis on materialistic goals. As parents, it is our foremost duty to protest our children as best as we can, in order to ensure a happy future for our children.

S. L. GUPTA
Panchkula

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Tailpiece

Question: First of all, who needs to be “educated” in India?

Answer: Education Ministers!

ADIT KANSAL
Nalagarh (HP)