Are we in the hunt for hockey gold?

Apropos of M.S. Unnikrishnan’s write-up ‘Are we in the hunt for hockey gold?’ (August 26), the writer aptly summed up the state of preparation of our hockey team for the forthcoming Olympics. Being an Indian, I along with my countrymen do hope that our hockey team comes home victorious. But alas, mere wishful thinking is not enough. It requires focus, hard work and a winning attitude.

What are the reasons for our dismal performance? Indians are by and large casual in their attitude towards most things, including sports. They lack the killer instinct. Unless they cultivate this attitude, a win seems a far cry.

P.L. SETHI
PATIALA

A tribute to Rafi

This refers to Khushwant Singh’s write-up "His voice is immortal" (August 26). I join the writer in paying tribute to Mohammed Rafi who dominated the world of male playback singers for 35 years. There is no doubt that his voice is immortal and the void left by him has not been filled till today. It is pity that Rafi’s songs are not aired on TV or radio as often as they should be. Efforts of pianist Brian Silas to keep Rafi’s memory alive are praiseworthy. In addition to the songs mentioned by the writer, the songs rendered by Rafi in Baiju Bawra — Man Tadpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj, Bin Guru Gayan Kahan Se Paun, Tu Ganga Ke Mouj, Main Jamuna Ka Kinara — have a timeless appeal.

ONKAR CHOPRA
NEW DELHI

No end to hostility

Apropos of Khushwant Singh’s article ‘No end to hostility’ (August 19), it has become quite clear that on the one hand Pakistan talks of a dialogue with India to address the Kashmir issue and on the other hand, it abets cross-border terrorism in the name of jehad. The hollowness of Pakistan’s claims of a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute can be judged from the declaration of the Pakistani President that it will keep funding terrorist outfits operating in PoK. Such hostility and hatred towards India will be detrimental to the interests of both countries. We should never lose hope and keep on following the Gandhian doctrine of ahimsa because non-violence is and will remain the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.

RAJNEESH GOYAL
Mansa

                  II

I am reminded of an anti-nationalism campaign organised three years ago by the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) exhorting Indian Muslims to join the jehad in Kashmir. The Muslim community, however, rejected the campaign with the disdain it deserved. And not without reason. A group of Muslims living in a Muslim majority area would, one assumes, feel more secure and better able to cope with the inevitable stresses and strains of living in a democratic polity as a minority.

It was preposterous to call this political struggle a religious endeavour and expect the Muslims from the whole country to support the so-called jehad. After all, do not our Muslim brethren realise that while posing as jehadis they (Osama and the Taliban) do grave injustice and disservice to Islam. The worst enemies of any religious community are bigots who assume the role of sole representatives of its religion.

Our ancient civilisation, humanity, secularism, democracy, decency and morality are the strongest cards we have that distinguish us from Pakistan. It is only by extending the reach of these values to the Kashmir Valley that we can integrate the estranged land and its people in our national mainstream.

Islamic armies in the past were known for their humanity. Islam would have not spread like wildfire, as it did, if they were not. But do the Kashmiris really believe that Pakistan is an Islamic state? On the contrary, can a Kashmiri Muslim truly say that his faith, Islam, is in danger of annihilation in India or even that his faith would be better protected in the lap of mafia that rules Pakistan? Have they forgotten the experience of east Pakistan? Don’t they know how very disenchanted with Pakistan are their own brothers across the Line of Control? Do they know why there is not even a whisper of protest against Islamabad in the POK despite total disillusionment? It is simply because the Pakistani Kashmiris, starting right from the early 50s, have never enjoyed any political rights nor they do so now.

K.M. VASHISHT
Mansa