M A I L B A G

India, Pakistan must show statesmanship

India will have to shed its apprehensions about the American designs. When the US was the leader during the cold war, we safeguarded our interests. But one must be aware of what the Americans had been up to during both Democrat and Republican governments, following the  breakup of Russia.

Yes, India must grow fast but not at the cost of its futuristic security or the security of the sub-continent. The American struggle against Islamisation began with the breakup of the Ottoman Empire and continues unabated. The breakup of Yugoslavia and the ethnic violence in Bosnia  culminated in full circle in the  western region.

In Iraq, the Americans forced  their will against the UN charter, followed by Afghanistan and now it is poised to see Iran vanish despite the International Atomic Energy Agency’s favourable report and Iran’s pleadings to remove them from the list of the axis of evils  and reparation from Iraq for the war imposed by Iraq.

There are lengthening shadows  of great unrest spilling over to  Pakistan which may not stop  unless Indian and Pakistani  leaders demonstrate statesmanship and shed their old mindsets which divided this oldest civilisation on religious lines and had given rise  to religious fundamentalism.

Lt-Col CHANAN SINGH DHILLON (retd), Ludhiana

Musharraf’s ways

A few months ago, General Musharraf remarked in an interview that he would have to think and find out some way to legitimise his position. The way he is trying to stick to power only shows a tendency not to give up power easily and willingly. The General cannot lose sight of what happened to the Nepal king in the recent past.

The General would do well to see the writing on the wall. He may even refuse to doff his army uniform even after November 15 – the date as mentioned in his undertaking to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. A Pakistani Minister has already given a hint that such an undertaking has no legal value.

V. R. SETHI, Shimla

Sick mind

The terrorist’s sick mind, blinded by hatred, has no respect for any religious faith, nor does he follow the rules and laws of a civilised society. With no regard for human values or a consideration for reason and voice of his conscience, a terrorist aims at inflicting heavy casualties amongst the innocent and unguarded people.

Hence, talking of sympathy, compassion and even the human rights for such ‘anti-human’ animal would be committing the suicidal error.

VED GULIANI, Hisar

Act yet to protect women The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 came into force on October 26, 2006. However, it has remained ineffective so far due to the lack of proper implementation and monitoring by the enforcement authorities. When a victim files an application before a magistrate and the latter takes cognisance of the same, the opposite party approaches the court and obtains stay. The Act envisages that the magistrate shall endeavour to dispose of such an application within 60 days from the date of its first hearing. But these applications are not being disposed of as mandated under the Act. Section 11 of the Act also lays down the duties of the Centre and the state government officers including the police and the courts. No periodic sensitisation and awareness training is being provided to them as envisaged under the Act. If the government does not enforce the Act properly, its purpose and significance will be defeated. A. C. AGGARWAL, New Delhi

Shared taxis

The Himachal Pradesh government has introduced shared taxi service on restricted roads in Shimla. The HP Road Transport Corporation operates the service. Luxury cars pick up and or drop user passengers on request. Irrespective of the distance travelled by any passenger, the fare is just Rs 10 per head. The service is best utilised by the aged, the disabled and the sick.

Similar facility should be provided to the residents of Shimla’s suburb. Short haul shared public taxis should be introduced from places like Kanlog to Bemloe, Nehra to Khalini, Debnagar to Vikas Nagar, Bharari to Lakar Bazaar, Anandale to Kaithu and Phagli to 103 Tunnel. Instead of luxury cars, small and less expensive pick-ups should be commissioned for these comparatively steep and narrow roads.

K.L. NOATAY, Shimla

Forgotten hero

It is very disappointing that the nation has forgotten India’s second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri whose birth anniversary fell on October 2 along with Mahatma Gandhi. Shastri gave us peace after the bitter conflict with Pakistan. He inspired the nation with the slogan, ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’.

If this kind of treatment is meted out to our second Prime Minister, then it would be better if lessons about Shastri’s contributions are not taught to students. Why these double standards?

GURPREET S. MALHOTRA, Kansal (Mohali)

Unique city

The report, “Social worker on mission” (Oct 2) was interesting. I think it is commendable that your newspaper chose to publish this feature. Chandigarh is a unique and beautiful city and it is important to honour and remember the people that helped to realise a wonderful vision.

BRUNO CALVER, London