Meaning of Sharif’s threat on talks

  Apropos of the report “Sharif’s threat to suspend talks” (March 1), it is nothing beyond Mr Nawaz Sharif’s home compulsions. Kashmir has become an obsession with Pakistan. Mr Sharif has to compete with his arch rival, Ms Benazir Bhutto, who seems to have gone closer to the army establishment.

Ms Bhutto, who had claimed not long back to be the “Daughter of the East”, declined the invitation to attend the official banquet in honour of the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. This was never expected of a politician of her stature. What, however, must have caused Mr Sharif more than usual embarrassment was the excuse of the three Chiefs of the country’s defence services for not being present at the reception for the visiting dignitary.

Mr Sharif harps on the Kashmiris’ right of self-determination. An utter non-sense. Will he give this right to his own people living in the provinces of Sindh, NWFP and Baluchistan who are fed up with Mr Sharif’s Punjabi rule? Mr Sharif and Ms Bhutto would do well to sink their differences on the need for promoting democracy in Pakistan instead of bowing to the dictates of the army, and keep off Kashmir.

After Indonesia, India has the largest Muslim population, and Pakistan has no business to act as the spokesman of Kashmiri Muslims.

DURGA BHARDWAJ
Solan

Save this rail project

The residents of the region became very happy when it was made known to them that somewhere in the month of February the Prime Minister or the Union Railway Minister would come to Chandigarh to lay the foundation stone of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link project, which had been hanging fire for more than two decades. People were thinking that after the laying of the foundation stone the project would not only meet their demands but also create employment avenues for some for a few years.

February has passed, and it is now revealed that the rail project may run into rough weather. It has been mentioned in the news-item that Northern Railways hands are tied because of financial limitations.

Sorry to say that after the 50th year of Independence such projects are abandoned for want of financial resources.

I am sure people would respond to a call from the government to donate according to their means towards the funding of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link project. The project should not be allowed to die under any circumstances.

D. S. BALI
Panchkula

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Women's Day

Hey! all these rowdy 'n' anti elements operating in Chandigarh; be ready...

For now, you just cannot escape the eveready, sturdy hands of Kiran Bedi;

The carpet has been rolled; the stage been set for our new IGP already....

Every officer is common man's buddy but she is also an outstanding lady!

It is the need of the day, the sudden call of the hour;

Women must come forward 'n' realise their hidden power....

It is time to move away from the wrath of gender war;

Remember, there are thorns too; though rose is a tender flower...

She always reminds of something great; we cannot find an appropriate word;

Of course! a woman is the only thing which seems out of this world...

Basically a flower, but can, fortunately, get transformed into a sword;

Prefer to bloom; however, may spell doom whenever compelled or told...

No date in a whole year seems as great as March eight;

For, this day acts the world over as every woman's true mate...

It encourages to provide them equality 'n' security at any rate;

also, aims at improving their standard of living as well as fate!

Women are marching ahead of men at a fast rate;

Although many generally have no support or any mate...

Seems they have finally decided to transform their fate;

to be respectable forever and not only on March eight!

YASMIN DUTTA
Chandigarh