Kargil conflict: many questions unanswered
Will demarcating LoC as border help ?
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 13 — Are the efforts by the Indian forces on the Kargil front enough or should they have been allowed to teach the enemy a tougher lesson ? Was crossing the Line of Control (LoC) an alternative approach in the counterattack ? Are demands to cross the LoC and launch a full-scale war pure jingoism on the part of the Indian masses that are being fed with live pictures of the war zone?

As guns boomed in Kargil, major victories were achieved by the Indian Army while Pakistan was forced to bite the dust and even retreat. However, certain questions remain unanswered and opinions are divided as praise is being showered on the grit and guts of the Indian soldiers.

The younger lot that discussed the issue with The Tribune were of the view that the Army should go all out and even occupy the portion of Kashmir held by Pakistan for 51 years. Political scientists want the LoC to be recognised as the border, saying it is the only plausible answer while lauding the decision of not advancing into Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) because it helped India win a diplomatic battle.

Former defence personnel are satisfied but advocate greater level of alertness and talk of deterrent capability for the future. And they even want a pro-active strategy to deal with the enemy.

Col Thakur Kuldip Singh Ludra (retd) opined that crossing the LoC would mean that the government had decided for an all-out war. For this we require additional guns, tanks, spares and ammunition. A replacement of armoury like the MIGs and tanks has to be carried out. '' But the decision to cross it has to be of the government".

Under the present scheme of things we have done an excellent job but our gains have come at high costs "moreover we have to physically patrol these areas to hold them, '' the retired Colonel added. The government should build up on deterrent capability.

His fellow Army man, Col Amarjeet Singh (retd) said:"' Why don't we have a team like the so-called Mujahideen that crosses the LoC, creates terror on that side, and comes back. '' The country needs to change its thinking, he said, while adding that there was no need to be on the defensive.

Besides this we are only reacting to what Pakistan has done but we are not doing anything to surprise the Pakistani's. On peace talks between the two countries he said: ''Can we trust these fellows (the Pakistanis) .'' But, on the other hand , he said , a war would have destroyed Pakistan and a destroyed and a fragmented neighbour would not suit India's interests.

A Professor of political science, Prof M.M. Sharma, opined :'' Diplomatic and military efforts could not have been better but the question remains as to why did the Army vacate the heights during the winter.'' The possible solution to the problem is by making the LoC as the international border.

Since we have sought restoration of the sanctity of the LoC and not said that we want Pakistan troops to get out of POK also, we have accepted the LoC as the border. Further arguing on the idea of '' LoC as the border'', he added we could not risk a war and could not get POK vacated after 51 years. Besides this we have managed a diplomatic victory by not talking about POK.

Another political scientist, Prof B.S. Brar, while praising the Indian Army for not offering any solution excepting fighting said it was good for democracy. '' The LoC has to be the border as we cannot fight another war'', he added.

Our aim should be to help some peace-minded people across the border to drive out the hardliners, opined the professor. There were several centres of power in Pakistan and some were keen on being friends with India while others had a vested interest in not allowing any friendly ties.

The younger lot that discussed the issue were naturally fired up. Mr Vishal Laroiya said: ''We should not allow the enemy to retreat and punish all of them by killing them. if deemed necessary cross the LoC. '' While criticising the Pakistan Foreign Minister's statement on opening more Kargils , Mr Laroiya said Aziz should be given a warning by a show of strength.

The youngster appreciated the diplomatic victory but wanted all diplomatic ties cut off with Pakistan.

Another local student , Mr Neeraj Sharma, opined: '' Cross the LoC, show your strength and come back only when the international community knows that Pakistan is wrong". Historically, fights between the two countries have never ended at the LoC, he said, while adding '' we must get the entire Kashmir back from them.''

RCH programme stabilises birth rate
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, July 13 — For stabilisation of population, the birth rate should be at 21 per thousand. panchkula has achieved a birth rate of 18 per thousand under newly-launched Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme.

the International Conference on population and development held in Cairo in 1994 by the WHO recommended a unified programme for reproduction and child health, the resolution being accepted by all members. The RCH programme integrated programmes like child survival and safe motherhood, family planning, family welfare and universal immunization. It emphasised on sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive tract infections.

Earlier, many programmes had failed as the focus had been on achieving targets. Most of the cases of sterilisation and disbursement of IUDs and oral pills had been done in last two months of the financial year.

The programme integrated fertility regulations and maternal and child health. It envisaged upgradation of facilities and quality care. First referral units would provide emergency obstetric and baby care. The government allotted Rs 10 lakh to each unit and Rs 10 lakh for repair of existing health centres.

The programme recommended a target-free approach, starting from sub-centre level. The earlier system of target fixation and false targets by district health authorities did not serve the purpose of any programme.

The programme would focus on child survival intervention, safe motherhood, operationalisation of a target-free approach, integrated training packages at all levels, information-education-communication on health and sexuality, control of RTIs and STDs, enhanced community participation through panchayats and NGOs, safe medical termination of pregnancy in rural areas, adolescent health and reproductive hygiene. "This would mean a client-oriented and demand-driven quality service with additional equipment, medicines and manpower to be provided by a district-level committee, the Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula being its chairperson," said Dr H.C. Nagpal, civil surgeon and vice-chairman of the committee.

The birth rate of 21 per thousand is possible only if 60 per cent of eligible couples use the programme. Panchkula has a population of about 3.9 lakh, with 58,863 eligible couples.

The programme will aim to perform 1,950 sterilization operations and distribute 66,600 contraceptives, 1,300 oral pills and 2,700 IUDs in the year. The doctors and nurses at general hospital have been given special training and laboratory technicians and auxillary nurse midwives have been appointed. The government has allotted a budget of Rs 45 lakh to the district com-mittee.

The programme failed in many countries as it did not involve the community and workers were not motivated due to lack of incentives. It was carried out on a large scale, with paper formalities making it administratively cumbersome. There was not adequate communication about the programme to the masses. the training schedules and processes had deficiencies. Despite its failure worldwide, the programme is going strong in Panchkula.

A good place for jogging and meditation, but...
By Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 13 — Even as the Sector 36 Leisure Valley Garden is a magnificent spectacle for offering a variety of plants and trees and a calm place to visitors, still it is not without spots which need proper care and upkeep.

The garden was developed by the Horticulture Department of the Chandigarh Administration in 1974 and was later given a facelift in 1990. Later it was taken over by the Municipal Corporation in 1996.

As one enters the place, one is greeted by a spectrum of green trees and flowering plants. The best sight which is likely to steal the heart of every nature lover is a cluster of lushgreen fish-tail palm trees, all standing in a circle, with a bench on a carpet of grass beneath aimed at offering visitors a shady resort. On the right side of the entrance, one could enjoy a rich foliage presented by a couple of ficus trees.

Another rarity at the place, about which many a visitor might be oblivious, is ficus krishanae tree, popular in Indian mythology for its association with Lord Krishna, who was said to be fond of enjoying butter after putting on its leaves. The magnificent tree can be seen just at the right side of the entrance. Another attraction of the place is a variety of rose plants, turning the place into a riot of colour, particularly when these are in full bloom in February and March. Nowadays, the place is adorned with ''zenia'' and ''kochia'' plants, planted in the midst of lawns.

But it is the peaceful atmosphere, which is a major attraction among nature lovers and morning walkers. "As most of the people prefer to visit the newly created Fragrance Garden across the road, the place offers tranquillity, for which I like it," said Mr Ghanshayam, a Sector 35 resident and regular visitor to the place. He said, besides jogging, the atmosphere of the place was best suited for meditation.

But despite all this a blot on the face of the garden is lack of maintenance in some of its parts. The worst thing to see is flower beds dominated by wild growth and grass. At some places, the grass is so tall that it overshadows rose plants, while some flower beds are bereft of rose plants which have reportedly been damaged due to lack of care and upkeep. The same was the case with flower beds with budding dehlia plants.

Another thing which puts off visitors is the haphazard mowing of lawns. At some places one can see that the grass is mowed properly, while there are spots with heavy growth of grass which prove that the exercise has not been undertaken for a couple of months.

When contacted, an official of the horticulture wing of the Municipal Corporation said: ''The growth of grass is due to rains. Actually the growth is quite rapid during monsoon and we have a strength of about a dozen workers which is not sufficient," he said, adding that remedial measures would be undertaken soon.