M A I L B A G

Pak Army against democracy

Pakistan is reaping what it has been sowing and nurturing for the past few decades (Editorial, “Challenges from terrorism”, Oct 22). Its rulers devised the most potent weapon – terrorism -- to torment and bleed India into disintegration. The treacherous plan boomeranged and disastrous consequences are there for all to see.

Almost after six years since General Musharraf took over in a bloodless coup, that he realised that the terrorism born in Pakistan has grown too big to be tamed. The Lal Masjid episode culminated into a flash point. The terrorists and fundamentalists are against any Paksitan ruler who is pro-US, talks peace or democracy. Both Benazir and Musharraf are on the radar of the terrorist organisations.

Apprehensions of Mrs Bhutto are not wholly misplaced when she accuses that a general of the Intelligence Bureau is responsible for the blasts during her convoy after she landed in Pakistan. The Army never wants democracy to take its roots in Pakistan and Mrs Benazir is a persona non grata in Pakistan for the Army. The Musharraf-Bhutto combine must give top priority to reign in terrorism in Pakistan.

KARNAIL SINGH, Kharar

II

It was people’s love and god’s grace that failed the assassination bid on the former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who escaped unhurt, hours after her return from an eight-year self-exile. Apparently, it was Bhutto’s “We want to isolate extremists and build a better Pakistan” had frightened the Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Pakistan’s Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud warned that suicide bombers would be waiting to “receive” Ms Bhutto and it proved that despite massive security arrangements, the terrorists are become more powerful.

Pakistan now needs a stern retaliation policy and they should do what is best in their own interest. Ironically, the same terrorists who kill innocent people in India from time to time now want to kill Ms Bhutto because she has promised to root out terrorism and restore democracy in Pakistan!

BIDYUT KUMAR CHATTERJEE, Faridabad

Benefits of organic farming THE growing awareness among farmers to opt for organic farming is a positive signal to save good earth. Excessive use of chemical fertilisers with the objective of increasing the production of food grains, especially wheat and rice, has adversely affected the health of land over the years. Punjab, the food basket of India, too, is facing this serious crisis. Following excessive use of chemical fertilisers, the water level has been fluctuating from high to low in different parts of the state. It is the government’s duty to promote and propagate organic farming. The farmers can easily say adieu to chemical fertilisers by using only natural fertilisers. The yield may reduce a little but the quality of food grains produced through organic farming will be of high standard. The government should also give incentives to the farmers opting for organic farming. SANJEEV GAUR, Amritsar

RTI in Punjab

The Right to Information Act is a very good piece of legislation but its implementation in Punjab is poor. The State Information Commissioners are unable to decide the cases as per the provisions in the Act. The Commission has become a rehabilitation centre for the chosen few.

It is necessary for the government to make changes regarding the appointment of the commissioners. Otherwise, the common citizen would lose faith in the RTI Act.

R.S. MAHEY, Jalandhar

Another stay

Further to G.K Gupta’s “War-time snippets” (Oct 5), I am narrating another interesting fact. We three brothers were students of St. Anothony’s High School, Lahore, when Word War II was at its peak. The Principal, Brother H.W. Henderson, issued strict orders to use paper sparingly because of its acute scarcity. The students were instructed to first fill up their exercise books with pencil and revise them by overwriting with pen. He even made surprise checks to ensure compliance.

The present generation may scoff at the idea, but then, the authorities enforced conservation of virtually all items. Today, we septuagenarians are aghast at the colossal waste of paper and other items which are beyond the reach of the poor.

D.K. AGGARWAL, Phagwara