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Key to good health and efficiency

Scientists, doctors and nutritionists (“Fit and vegetarian”, Spectrum, Dec 7) are of the view that a vegetarian diet is not only the most healthy option, but is also the best from hygiene, nutrition, ecology, economics and animal welfare viewpoint.

The People for Ethical Treatment to Animals (PETA) is determined to make people aware of the fact that while a vegetarian diet is much more suited for the health and efficiency of humans, meat is toxic for our health as well as the environment.



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According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, the meat industry has gained notoriety for generating more greenhouse emission than all the transport devices of the world.

By roping in celebrities in the contest, PETA is endeavouring to give credence to the belief that a vegetarian lifestyle is behind the superbly fit celebrities. It is a fact that eating sufficient quality of fruits and vegetables will help boost the brain power.

Richard Mayeux et al at Columbia University have shown that senior citizens who mostly ate animal fats were five times more vulnerable to Parkinson’s disease than those who ate less animal fat.

In a research publication, Vegetarian diet in health and disease, they emphasised that vegetarians can live longer without suffering from crippling diseases.

Volumes can be written on the merits of vegetarianism. Almost all animals who end up as meat and leather, suffer confinement, over-crowding and cruel treatment.

SOSHIL RATTAN, Amritsar






Put law and order in the Concurrent List

In his article, “In the face of terror” (Perspective, Dec 7), Arun Bothra, an IPS officer, has critically analysed the problems of the combating forces comprehensively. His suggestion to place the law and order in the Concurrent List of the Constitution is timely.

Much water has flown across the bridge since the founding fathers of the Constitution deliberated the structure of polity that India needed. The time has come for the states to shed their inhibition and parochial interests to the inclusion of law and order in the Concurrent List.

Without harping on the failure of the intelligence agencies and the system, we, the people of India, should resolve to fight terrorism collectively. The writer’s sarcastic comment, “we cannot expect Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to send us advance intelligence about terror attacks” should shake us out of our slumber.

The insufficiency of police personnel can be tackled to a large extent by withdrawing VIP security to a large number of non-descript protectees. In fact, VIP security is becoming more a status symbol than an actual requirement. Every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to flaunt a VIP tag by having a commando or security guard.

Gone are the days when leaders like Nehru and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai could travel in open jeep and receive the greetings of the masses. When distances are removed between the leader and people, security concerns become irrelevant.

LAJPAT RAI GARG, Chandigarh

Off-beat films

M.L. Dhawan’s article “Break with formula” (Spectrum, Dec 7) mentions the trend of popularity of off-beat films. The main reason why films with different themes have been faring well at the box-office of late is the growth of multiplexes across the country. The people who visit multiplexes are generally educated and discerning. Box-office figures clearly show that movies with novas and off-beat themes mint money in multiplexes but mostly come a cropper at single screen theatres.

Actually, multiplexes have given a new lease of life to off-beat cinema. However, the advent of TV and video dealt a crushing blow to this kind of cinema as their patrons virtually bade a goodbye to cinema halls and preferred to watch movies in the comfort of their drawing rooms.

Interestingly, now the comfort of multiplexes seems to have scored over the pleasure of drawing rooms which has brought the concerned audiences back to the big screen.

SURENDRA MIGLANI, Kaithal

Flag pride

“The story of our Tricolour” by Khushwant Singh (Saturday Extra, Dec 13) is informative. A flag not only spells the identity of a country, but is also a symbol of power, honour and integrity.

Our national flag was first designed by Sister Nivedita in 1909, followed by Bhikaji Cama, Venkayya and C, Rajagopalachari in 1923, bearing various patterns.

The Tricolour with the Ashok Chakra printed on saffron, white and green was designed by P. Venkatiah of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh.

Lehraye ga tiranga, har jawan ji kasam, is nishan ki kasam, Hindustan ki kasam.

HARBANS SINGH, Ambala Cantonment

 





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