Former Governor, Jammu & Kashmir
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
You can’t continue to victimise someone else just because you yourself were a victim once. — Edward Said
Letters to the Editor View More 
Letters address societal issues. One discusses religious division and the manipulation of youth. Another criticizes hospital negligence leading to patient deaths. A third highlights monsoon-related infrastructure failures. Another concerns vacancies in aviation safety agencies. One celebrates Indian chess successes. The final letter bemoans stampedes at religious pilgrimages.
Debates on military operations need transparency, accountability, and national interest, not political agendas. Strong intelligence is vital for national security. India must reassess its China policy due to unmet agreements and detrimental actions. The ICJ's climate ruling highlights the need for global action, considering historical responsibility and the needs of developing nations. Electoral roll verification in Bihar raises concerns.
Terror investigations demand utmost integrity to uphold state legitimacy and societal harmony. Bihar needs police reform, fast courts, and accountability to combat crime. Gurugram's growth requires ecological and civic planning. Religious freedom violations must be prevented with clear guidelines. Stampede deaths at religious events highlight a lack of discipline. School infrastructure must improve to prevent tragedies.
Women should assert themselves against chauvinism, as they often surpass men. India's policies and laws fail to protect women due to political influence and loopholes. Elected officials should be held accountable for negligence, such as the school collapse in Rajasthan. France's recognition of Palestine is a positive step against global apathy. The Supreme Court advised an estranged couple to resolve their issues amicably.
Medical education suffers due to commercialization and unethical practices, demanding reform. The Left's role persists due to ongoing social injustice. Food adulteration and processed foods are contributing to malnutrition, threatening future generations. Fake institutions and impersonation highlight fraud. Dialogue is needed for communal harmony. Vijay Diwas commemorates soldiers' sacrifices, urging gratitude and patriotism.
The MiG-21's service ended despite its 'flying coffin' reputation. Punjab plans tree protection legislation with potential imprisonment. The Iran-Israel shadow war threatens regional stability, impacting India's energy security. A stalking case accused was appointed as Assistant Advocate General, which is considered insensitive. Handwritten writing is nostalgically remembered.
Dhankhar's actions as VP diminished impartiality due to excessive loyalty. His resignation creates an opportunity for the Opposition to challenge the BJP if united. The swift acceptance of his resignation is concerning given his past. The NPT's principles are jeopardized by current conflicts. Gaza's humanitarian crisis requires governmental action. Punjab's land pooling policy should start as a pilot project.
The proposed anti-sacrilege bill in Punjab appears politically motivated, potentially to regain rural support lost due to farmer protests. India-Nepal border disputes should be resolved through existing mechanisms. Cybercrime requires international cooperation and awareness campaigns. Job seekers should use verified platforms and be cautious of instant money offers. The Mumbai bombings' acquittals highlight justice system flaws.
This day that year View More 
Motilal Nehru's statement regarding his Sandhurst Committee membership was important for public understanding. It clarified the meaning of his action, addressing criticisms that it contradicted the Swaraj party's policy and his previous actions. Nehru's explanation aimed to inform the public about his decisions and adapt to changing circumstances.
New information about the Das-Lytton negotiations is insufficient. Questions remain: Who initiated them? When did they begin, before or after Lytton's acting role? Through whom were they conducted? What was their purpose? Gandhi acknowledged communications between Lytton and Das via an intermediary, but details are lacking, suggesting a focus on Bengal.
Punjab canal colony reports for 1923-24 reveal progress in land disposal and town development. While older colonies like Sidhnai and Sohag Para thrived, the Lower Chenab Colony struggles due to varied grants, unpaid dues, and difficult land sales, potentially leading to government land confiscations.
ASAF Ali suggests Motilal Nehru for Congress president, anticipating Swarajist dominance. His rationale: the president sets policy, so the Swaraj Party leader is best. This implies the Swarajist leader should repeatedly hold the presidency until their party declines. The Congress's role transcends simple policy implementation.
The Maharaja of Alwar's handling of the Nimuchana firing is criticized for lacking transparency. He commissioned an internal inquiry instead of an independent one, raising concerns about impartiality. The author highlights the lack of an open inquiry and contrasts it with the potential for press scrutiny and independent investigations in British India, although with limitations.
The Senior Subordinate Judge ruled in favor of the defendant in the Bande Mataram libel suit, despite a technical win for the plaintiff. The judge largely validated the paper's claims, specifically confirming prisoner maltreatment in Multan jail through substantial witness testimonies regarding punishments like 'kan parade' and 'Gidar Kut.'
Gandhi responded to Lord Birkenhead's speech by liberating the Swaraj party from the yarn franchise. Recognizing the need to bolster their influence, he aims to remove Congress restrictions and offer its resources to the party for political action.
The authors believe a separate Charkha organization within the Congress is ideal. This structure would benefit both the Charkha program and the Congress by allowing each to focus on its distinct goals. They suggest the Congress delegate authority and funds to this new Charkha-focused entity.
Lord Birkenhead saw little criticism of the government's India policy due to opposition support. He then issued a veiled threat, stating Britain's resolve to ensure the effectiveness of any Indian constitution. This warning was unnecessary, as Indians understood Britain's position.