M A I L B A G

A saga of trial and tribulation

This refers to “Stitching together a broken life”, (Spectrum, June 6), by Divya Agarwal. The article was a saga of trials and tribulations, struggle and success of a woman with the nerves of steel. Apparently indomitable will, confidence, courage and constancy, the qualities displayed by Kamaljit Kaur, pay in the long run and help to overcome adversity and misfortune. Rather than cursing one’s lot, one should make good use of whatever one can lay his hands on. Kamaljit’s life can teach a lesson on how to fight adverse circumstances. Women should try to be independent and self sufficient. Kamaljit Kaur can be their role model.

Tarsem S. Bumrah, Batala

An eye-opener

This has reference to Chanchal Sarkar’s article “Not garlands all the way” (The Sunday Oped, June 13). Subhas Chandra Bose left the coveted Indian Civil Service and jumped into the freedom struggle. In a short period, he caught the imagination of the youth and became a darling of the nation. He made rapid strides in the Congress organisation and was able to register a convincing victory over Gandhi’s nominee Pattabhi Sitaramaya at the Congress session in 1939.

Gandhi, Nehru and their cohorts ganged up against a democratically elected Congress president. Subhash Bose was humiliated and was forced to resign. Gandhi feared in Bose a potential rival of his protege Jawaharlal Nehru. How Bose left the country suffering untold misery and hardships and how he successfully organised the Indian National Army on foreign soil to fight the British are events which never found their rightful place in the history taught in our schools.

Dr C.G. KUMBKARNI & Prof RAJ PAUL GUPTA, Ludhiana

Consumer rights

Apropos of Pushpa Girimaji’s column on consumer’s rights, I want to share my bitter experience. After reading an article in the column suggesting that even an ordinary application can be filed in the District Consumer Disputes and Redressal Forum and the complainant, on his own, can contest the case, I too tried to file a complaint against a refrigerator company. I was told that every complaint was decided within six months.

However, 13 months after having lodged my complaint, I have not got justice. I have realised that an ordinary person cannot contest the case as he does not know the legal procedures being followed in these forums.

S.S. SANEHI, Jalandhar

Shocking comparison

This refers to “In Farid’s footsteps” by Khushwant Singh (Saturday Extra, July 10). The writer describes Lachman Chella Ram as the living embodiment of Sheikh Farid whose hymns are incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib. The comparison between a money-minded person like Lachman and Sheikh Farid is shocking.

As far as the translation works of Gurbani and Guru Granth Sahib are concerned, Lachman has not done even a single shabad translation on his own. The works have been contributed by scholars from different universities, teachers and principals on his request.

DR SARABJIT KAUR, Chandigarh

Power of prayer

This refers to Kiran Bedi’s write-up “Prayer promotes ties and spreads harmony” (Sunday Oped, July 18). “Many a thing is wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”. Such a prayer must emanate from a pure heart for a good purpose.

According to a Talmudic maxim, a little prayer with devotion is better than much without it. Only the pious ones can say such a prayer. Many people pretend to be engaged in prayer without actually being so. I frankly confess that while I recite a prayer for divine favours my heart wanders in the realm of odd notions. An Urdu bard has rightly said:

Khuda manzoor karta hai

doa jab dil sey hoti hai

Magar mushkil to ye hai ke

bari mushkil sey hoti hai.

BHAGWAN SINGH, Qadian

History as an instrument for promoting social harmony Apropos of Syed Nooruzzaman’s article “Controversy over history writing: Time for a consensual approach” (Perspective, July 18), the writer rightly feels that history can be an effective instrument for promoting social harmony, national integration and secularism. It is possible only if approach to history is unbiased, scientific and secular. But as Ranks has aptly commented, “The writing of history is a matter of conscience”. Undeniably, history should never become a government’s handmaiden, whether saffron or red. Let’s not tinker or tamper with history. Let’s not change or cloak it with controversial ideological interpretations. In fact, every Indian should delve into our past and be proud of our history, our common heritage. While unbiased history textbooks are to be written by a few authors, thousands of teachers are involved in imparting its knowledge, thereby influencing young minds. They should refrain from inducting personal preferences, religious leaning, ideologies, opinionated sensitive statements, etc., while teaching this discipline but instead their methodology should ignite interest, insight, inquiry, values and pride. History is “a continuous dialogue between the past and the present”, helping to shape our future too. Also renaming roads, institutions, houses and places bearing English or European names (a boon of Imperial Raj), after Indian leaders dead or alive, having absolutely no contribution in their inception, is immortalising them and belies all historical facts, arousing caste and religious passions and confusion too with detrimental results. The renaming mania must be banned by legislation. ROSHNI JOHAR, Shimla