 |
Friday, November 30, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
|
Building new strategic ties with Moscow APROPOS of Mr Hari Jaisingh's
"Building new strategic ties" (Nov 23), there can be no doubt that the strong foundation of India's economic stability and development and our military defence mechanism have largely been with a healthy and positive support from our long-trusted friend, Russia. If India could boldly come unscathed out of its early wars with its hostile neighbours and have maintained respect and sovereignty, credit also goes to the Soviet military supplies and its unconditional support at the international fora. The Soviet credit and the rupee-trade system not only strengthened our efforts in economic self-reliance, but also enabled us to evolve an independent foreign policy, though the West always considered it our "Soviet tilt". But above anything else has been the Russian support to fight collectively the
menace of terrorism. Since Russia too has suffered terrorism and religious fundamentalism, it can appreciate India's concern at the rising trend of religious and ethnic separatism, which need to be ruthlessly curbed through decisive collective measures at the international level. India has already raised the issue of international terrorism and the UN has agreed to discuss and define it unambiguously at a special committee meeting from Jan. 28 to Feb. 01, 2002. With Russia and others coming to our support, we can finally hope to be rid of cross-border terrorism being perpetrated by Pakistan. Diplomatically, India needs to be more concentrated, result-oriented, pragmatic and professional in exploiting the politico-economic support coming our way instead of embarrassing the friendly nations by our immature and even meaningless political statements made out of turn. VED GULIANI, Hisar |
|
|
During the Cold War the Soviet Union stood by India throughout against heavy odds and risks. The USA, on the other hand, hugged Pakistan which suffers from an anti-India obsession and indulged in anti-India wars in 1948, 1965, 1971 and 1999 and allowed terrorists to cross the Line of Control into Indian territory. Most foolishly the Soviet Army entered Afghanistan at the then ruling clique's invitation. This provoked Muslim fanatics to launch jehad against the non-Muslim foreign army. The USA had an opportunity to humble the Soviet Union there. It armed, trained and funded jehadis, including Osama bin Laden. The Soviet army had to quit Afghanistan, but the USA left it at the mercy of the Taliban. The wounded America has gone angry and blind; only India and Russia can save the world from World War III. India should give up its soft policy and adopt the policy of "quality in co-operation". Prof HARI SINGH, Kheri Jat (Jhajjar) Market economy and communism: Had the communists Indianised communism, India could have been a breeding place for communism in this subcontinent. Most of the Indians are poor, illiterate, houseless, exploited, discriminated against, victims of high prices and unemployed, and these are the things on which communism could flourish. The communists of this country could not Indianise communism and they wanted to preach communism through the literature brought from abroad. Most of the Indians are believers in God and when they realised that the communists do not believe in the existence of God, they discarded communism. Very few people listened to the communists and the remaining started fearing the communists. The other groups started exploiting the situation and preached much against communism. The fall of the USSR brought about the final touch and people have started disbelieving in communism. Now the Indians are fed up of the other groups which could not better their lot. If the communists start indianising communism, they are likely to have their government in India. But if the communists go on in the present way, they would be feel sorry when they get a majority in the House and fail to bring the communist principles in operation at once. DALIP SINGH WASAN, Patiala
 |
||
‘Taajposhi’ issue Criticising the Punjab Government for the bicentenary celebrations of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s coronation, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra said that the Sikh sovereign had never been installed as Maharaja and there had been no “taajposhi”. According to him, he was simply declared a “Sardar of 11 misls” (confederacies). This is not correct. In April 1801 Ranjit Singh held a durbar, which was attended by the chiefs and sardars, who owed submission and allegiance to him. It was decided that he should assume the title of Maharaja. For the implementation of this resolution, Ranjit Singh held a magnificent public durbar in the Lahore fort on the Baisakhi day. All chiefs, sardars and other dignitaries attended it. After the recitation of “Ardas” (invocatory prayer), Baba Sahib Singh Bedi put “tilak” on Ranjit Singh’s forehead as a token of investiture of the sovereignty. Thenceforth, the chief of the Sukkarachakkia “misl” assumed the title of Maharaja. However, he declared that in all public correspondence he should be mentioned as “Sarkar”. Flowers were showered on him. The words “Akal, Akal” (eternal, as od’s attribute) were repeatedly uttered. The Maharaja conferred “khilats” (robes of honour) on the chiefs and sardars and gave large sums of money to the poor. It was decided on that day to issue new coins. However, the Maharaja, as a humble Sikh, did not want them to be struck in his name. The coins bore the following inscription: Deg-o-Tegh-o-at’h-Nusrat be-darang. Yaaft az Nanak Guru Gobind Singh. (The kettle, i.e., hospitality, the Sword, i.e., power, victory and patronage have been unhesitatingly obtained from (Guru) Nanak — Guru Gobind Singh). Earlier, this verse found a mention on the official seal of Banda Singh Bahadur. The coins were named Nanakshahi ruppayah and Nanakshahi paisah. The coins struck on the very first day were given in alms. BHAGWAN SINGH, Qadian |
||
Keep off armed forces This is with reference to the news item regarding an NDA government ally trying to see an officer from a particular state promoted Chief of the Army Staff on the present Chief becoming the Chief of the Defence Staff (Nov 23). There is nothing wrong for a state government wishing to see an officer from its own state elevated to the top appointment. But this should be solely on merit. What would happen if every state starts sponsoring and angling for
vantage position for someone belonging to their respective territories? Will it not promote regionalism and in the long run militate against the very spirit of wholesome nationalism? Let’s keep at least the armed forces free from the baneful influence of party politics to ensure adherence to the stringent imperatives of national security as also to maintain high discipline and morale among the rank and file of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force who are doing a wonderful job to defend their motherland. Cdr S. C. KAPOOR (retd), Noida Medical allowance More than five lakh Punjab government employees and pensioners complain that a fixed medical allowance of Rs 250 per month being paid to them since 1.1.1998 is inadequate to meet the ever-increasing cost of medicare these days. Since January, 1998, the medicare cost has registered a rise of more than 30 per cent. The medical allowance should be raised to at least Rs 300. Employees and pensioners expect a fair deal from the Badal regime. YASH
PAUL GHAI, Ludhiana |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 121 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
