Studying earthquakes

TWO news items “High rise buildings face threat” and “Another quake predicted” appeared in the issue of The Tribune dated March 31. Both items have valuable material on the history of earthquakes in quake-prone “Zone 5” comprising UP, Himachal Pradesh and J & K in the Himalayan range.

The statistical analysis done by Dr Srivastava and Dr R.S. Dattatreya in 1986 is not inconsistent with the history of earthquakes in the whole of the twentieth century. In 1905 an earthquake in Kangra took a toll of thousands of human lives. After 30 years, in 1935 in Quetta, a city now in Pakistan, thousands of people perished.

While the Kangra quake occurred at nectarean moments, the Quetta quake brought death and destruction at the time it occurred in Chamoli district of Uttar Pradesh when mother earth was fast asleep.

The third quake in the series in this century and after 30 years occurred in Kinnaur district in 1965. It was of a lesser magnitude. Mr Janardhan Negi, scientist-emeritus, correctly holds the view that the Chamoli tremors may lead to another earthquake in the Himalayan belt, though no accurate time can be given. Yet it is an ample warning by seismologists.

An indepth study of behavioural attitudes of animals and birds is essential to know the possibility of earthquakes.

RIKHI DASS THAKUR
Palbhu (Hamirpur)

Lesson for India

In World War II the Serbs saved more than 800 downed American pilots from being captured by the Nazis.

In 1995, the Bosnian Serbs wanted self-determination, but the USA bombed them into submission. At that time Germany supported its old allies (and enemies of Serbia), Croatia and Slovenia. Nearly 3.5 million Serbs were thrown out of Croatia, but the USA did not lift a finger to prevent it.

Now, the USA in 1999, bombs Serbia to facilitate the break-up of a sovereign nation!

This American bombing of Serbia goes against the United Nations Charter, which is against the use of unauthorised force against a member-nation. Also, as Senator Don Nickles put it, this bombing tantamounts to blackmail: “You better sign the peace accord we have put in front of you, or we will bomb you!”

What Serbia objected to was the use of NATO’s peacekeeping forces as proposed by the Rambouillet accord, and not the grant of autonomy to Kosovo per se. Why did the USA stick to the demand for using NATO troops for peace keeping, and not consider more balanced, fair and neutral alternatives?

Where is the American sense of gratitude, justice and fair play?

The lesson for India: be prepared militarily and politically for any bully to attack you on any flimsy pretext.

Mohana Bhide
Bloomington, IL (USA)

* * * *

Postponement of exams

I wish to highlight the sudden postponement of the Panjab University examinations which were due to commence on April 1.

This sudden postponement has rendered students like my daughter — who has got admission in the NIIT at Calcutta where my husband is posted (an Army officer) — liable to miss certain papers and thus lose full one year, as they are not permitted to sit in the supplementary exams in September/October.

Since the circumstances governing the necessity to postpone the exams are peculiar to this year, it will be in the fitness of things for the university authorities to allow the candidates like my daughter to clear the missed papers in the supplementary exams in October and thus avoid losing full one year for no fault of theirs.

SHASHI PRADHAN
Mohali

* * * *

Chaos in Yamunanagar

Whenever some big VIP visits the twin towns of Yamunanagar and Jagadhri, the district administration, the municipal authorities and public-spirited organisations spend lavishly on decorating the streets and roads to be used by the dignitary. It is customary to see big welcome-gates and arches erected at numerous places all along the route. The road dividers are painted afresh to give a festive look. The fountains are also geared up on the occasion to add extra-glitter to the show. It is, indeed, fantastic to notice this spirit of excitement among the agencies managing the show. Three cheers to them!

Looking in contrast to the above facelift, what is most disgusting is the fact of the dilapidated condition of the roads and the streets on which the big caravan of vehicles accompanying the visiting dignitary happens to pass.

If we ponder over the comparative pictures, we will readily agree that what needs immediate attention is the proper maintenance of the roads and the streets. The money spent on the pomp and show needs to be usefully diverted to the more important task of improvement of the basic infrastructure for the welfare of the common man. There is the urgent need for laying severs, constructing storm-water drains and quick disposal of garbage. People should be educated to inculcate in them the habit of keeping the environment clean.

K. K. SHARMA
Yamunanagar

* * * *

Traffic hazard

The road that links Chandigarh with Phase VII of Mohali has a marble market since slabs of the material remain on the edges of the road, the vehicles for loading and unloading are parked there. This makes only half of the road usable. Since this is one of the major roads, it has become a highly accident-prone area.

Moreover, the marble traders have destroyed the berms along the newly constructed bridge to facilitate the entry of vehicles into their shops.

Similar is the condition of the road which links Chandigarh with Phase III. There a furniture market creates traffic hazard, and many accidents can be witnessed daily.

I think the Chandigarh Administration’s writ ends at this point, and the area serves as a no-man’s land.

HARPREET SINGH
Mohali