|
Maj. Gen. Yashwant Deva suggests
better coordination among various Indian agencies engaged in
fighting terrorism; gleaning, collating and disseminating of
relevant data is vital to the success of any anti-terrorist
measure. Sonika Gupta is skeptical about the aims, functions and
effectiveness of the so-called coalition against terrorism. She
advocates more focused alliances. Shabnam Mallick and Rajshri
Sen, while insisting on a close look at the root causes, feel
that an attitudinal change accompanied by organisational
transformation at the international level will make
anti-terrorism measures more practical. Brigadiers D. Sharma and
C.B. Khanduri examine the different facets of jehad.
Other contributors, too, take an informed look at the causes and
effects of terrorism.
The essays are
succinct, lucid and thought provoking.
Miracles
of Ardaas
by MS Kohli. Indus. Pages
184. Rs 150.
 The power of
prayer is universally acknowledged. When in trouble, one often
finds oneself very lonely and vulnerable. One’s character is
tested to the utmost. In order to emerge triumphant from the
ordeal one needs to draw upon one’s inner reserves of
fortitude. Prayer helps magnificently in this regard. One
discovers hitherto unknown channels to the Supreme Being, and
realises that even when ordinary mortals are unable or unwilling
to come to one’s aid, He is ever ready to answer to the call
of distress.
Ardaas
is a Sikh term for prayer. And, like all prayers, it strengthens
the devotees’ resolve to overcome even seemingly insuperable
odds. Kohli, who traces his links to the great Sikh warriors of
yore, is a veteran mountaineer, prolific author and
environmentalist. Having faced several perils in his life, he
enumerates in this book, how Ardaas helped him come up
trumps against all odds. His first adventure was as an
eight-year-old when he was to climb the 2000-foot high Martyrs
Summit situated in the rugged northwest Himalayas (now in
Pakistan’s NWFP) to pay obeisance to the Kohli clan’s
martyrs. He is convinced that he was able to climb up the steep
gradient because of the Ardaas he had performed before
setting out.
Later on in life
he had more dangerous encounters, including those with
high-altitude robbers, which make for a thrilling read. Maybe
the Frontier spirit helped him come out a winner, but he
attributes his triumphs to the Ardaas that he performs
conscientiously.
Yes
You Can
by Joginder Singh. Main
Street, USA. Pages 246. Rs
195.
 Here is one more
inspirational book from the former CBI Director, Joginder Singh.
While pursuing success — a legitimate human aspiration — one
often faces daunting challenges that may persuade one to give up
the enterprise. The author cautions against such a tendency. He
earnestly pushes for persevering with one’s quest while
accepting challenges because "no success is possible unless
you believe that you can succeed." He also would like us to
be self-reliant. Stress and unhappiness often accompany life’s
struggles. Problems — tangible as well as intangible — dog
the path to success. One will have to resolve these difficulties
and cope with the stress and unhappiness on one’s own.
I’d like to
mention here Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova’s advice on
how to achieve success, "As is the case in all branches of
art, success depends in a very large measure upon individual
initiative and exertion, and cannot be achieved except by dint
of hard work". Joginder Singh, too, draws a similar road
map to success. In the chapter, The Art of Success, he points
out "It (success) is the result of inspiration, aspiration,
desperation and perspiration." Chapters like Organizing for
Success, Successful Management, Attitude is All etc give plenty
of food for thought.
Corrigendum
In the column
Writeview, by Randeep Wadehra, carried on September 28, the
review of Letters to Seekers by Swami Ramanandji it was
said the letters had been translated by Shiela Gohri. These
letters have, however, been written originally in English and
are hence not translations. The error is regretted.
|
TERRORISM
does not shock us anymore. It has become a part of our collective
psyche. Incendiary rhetoric, explosions in crowded places,
blood-spattered bodies, weeping widows and orphans and other gory
images that register on our consciousness are subject to the law of
diminishing reactions. India has had a long history of conflict —
Naxalite/Maoist violence, cross-border terrorism and foreign-aided
insurgence in various parts of the country. To make this scenario
all the more grim there are mercenary terrorist outfits, like the
Pak-based ‘D Company’, that indulge in smuggling and other
criminal activities along with committing acts of sabotage and
terror in different states of our country. India had been warning
against complacency vis-`E0-vis terrorism’s spreading tentacles.
Unfortunately, the world took notice only after 9/11. Whence Al
Qaeda came under global scanner.
