M A I L B A G

The lesson Gandhiji taught us

Mahatma Gandhi was a karmayogi. He never talked about philosophy where action was required (Inder Malhotra’s article, “Perversion of Satyagraha”). He would heave fearlessly marched into Srinagar with his satyagrahis and displaced Kashmiri Pandits and undertaken a fast unto death there. The terrorists would have either surrendered or killed him thus galvanising India, indeed the whole world, into resolving the Kashmir issue.

The Lok Sabha under Gandhi would have seen all Ministers and MPs violating the Office of Profit provision resign rather than change the law to stick to office. Dalits were dear to him but it would have been interesting to see him at the birthday party hosted by Dalit ki beti.

Gandhiji would have certainly frozen into a statue in Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan’s renovated office. Being the person who had opposed the communal award with a fast into death, Gandhi would have died once again on the UPA’s decision to communalise education.

Above all, how would the Gandhi’s soul feel at Rajghat when today’s VIPs offer him plucked flowers with armed security to toe? Actions speak louder than words. That is the lesson he taught.

Dr L.R. SHARMA, Jalandhar

II

Gandhiji frustrated the British regime’s efforts to rule with experimental and innovative ideas using the arsenal of non-violence honed with satyagraha and fast. The Britishers could not be browbeaten by force only. They were very tactical planners with uncanny administrative skills that could not be easily given to corruption and temptations.

Medha Patkar, Mamata Banerjee et al send wrong signals with their overbearing indulgence to pep up political popularity, soldering and stitching the lost grounds of VIP visible viewership.

B.M. SINGH, Amritsar

III

On his birthday, Mahatma’s self-styled champions chant the same tune: “Mahatma’s philosophy still relevant”. They repeat it on his martyrdom day. This time, they found that the day of Satyagraha, a historic day in the country’s freedom struggle, could be another occasion to cash on. And they did succeed.

Mahatma’s philosophy will continue to be relevant for all times to come. Unfortunately, however, the nation has forgotten Mahatma’s real apostles like Acharya J.B. Kriplani, Sucheta Kriplani, Dr Sarojini Naidu and Dr Sushila Nayyar. Ved Mehta has immortalised Mahatma Gandhi’s true disciples in his brilliant book, Gandhi and his apostles.

SANJEEV GAUR, Kurukshetra

New strategy to check rabies India’s 25 million stray dogs contribute to 96 per cent of the country’s and 80 per cent of the world’s incidence of rabies. Rabies kills at least 30,000 Indians a year, according to a WHO report. About 70 per cent victims are below 15 years. But the toll could be 10 times higher than the official figures. Each year, 17 million people undergo post-exposure rabies treatment after a dog bite. The Animal Welfare Board (AWB) and other bodies should be answerable for avoidable deaths. The lack of a comprehensive strategy, coupled with obstructive socio-cultural and religious myths has resulted in the perpetuation of the rabies problem. The cost of vaccinating 25 million stray dogs @ Rs 100 per animal (cost of vaccine and staff) will be around Rs 2,500 million annually. Vaccinated dog needs reimmunisation every year. Besides, records of these dogs (births and deaths) must be maintained and the vaccinated animals must be tracked down. It is impractical to locate a stray dog for revaccination. Laws of other countries cannot be implemented in India. The Animal Birth Control’s plan to control dog breeding is a flop. India is the only one in the world that spends more money on maintaining stray dogs than on anti-rabies vaccines for human patients. As a veterinarian, I daily receive cases of dog bites both to animals and humans. With our limited resources and the AWB’s anti-rabies plan, rabies control is difficult. The AWB should come out with a more practical plan. Dr KIRTI DUA, GAD Veterinary & Animal Science University, Ludhiana

In bad taste

The photo of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (March 2) was in bad taste. What purpose do such pictures serve and what message do they send out to the world? The Press should desist from printing such unpalatable photos keeping in view its responsibility and the nation’s dignity.

AMRIT SACHDEVA, Kaithal

II

Even nursery school children would have mocked at that picture. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam symbolises India’s self-esteem, feelings, sentiments as well as pride.

ANJULA KATOCH, Dharmshala

III

Human frailties at the physical level do exist and thus need not be highlighted particularly in case of senior citizens. What does the newspaper wish to convey to the reader? I feel that it is The Tribune which has tripped. We ought to cultivate finer sensibilities of mind.

KANWARJIT SINGH, Chandigarh