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Monument to conjugal fidelity
Owing to its artistic dignity and magnificence, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the masterpiece of Mughal architecture (news report 'Taj third among top
landmarks', July 2). Shah Jahan and Mumtaz enjoyed married bliss for about 19 years. After the queen's death, the emperor built this matchless monument of conjugal fidelity in her memory. Shakeel Badauni said:
Ik shahinshah ney banva key haseen Taj Mahal/ Saari duniya ko mohabbat kee nishaani dey dee. However, in view of an ocean of money spent to make it most sumptuous, Sahir Ludhianvi felt that
Ik shahinshah ney daulat ka sahara ley kar/ Hum ghareebon ke mohabbat ka udaaya hai mazaaq. Not many people know that Shah Jahan began to build for himself a tomb - an exact replica of the Taj Mahal - on the opposite side of the Yamuna in black marble. Both the edifices were to be connected by a bridge. But his son, Aurangzeb, usurped the throne and put him in prison. The project was abandoned. The notion that the hands of the masons and craftsmen were cut off after the completion of the monument and that the project of black Taj Mahal was a bad omen and brought ill-luck to Shah Jahan have no historical basis. BHAGWAN SINGH,
Qadian
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Milkha’s statue
I saw the photograph of the statue of the legendary Milkha Singh (in Jalandhar
Tribune, July 1) installed near the Sapper's Park on the Mall Road in Jalandhar
Cantt. I could not recognise Milkha Singh to whom it was dedicated as it looked like that of an old
sadhu. Then I went to have a look at the statue. And it was nowhere near the real athlete as far as his looks were concerned. If the inscription plate were not there, I could not have recognised Milkha Singh. Moreover, there was no handkerchief on his bun. I request the authorities concerned to look into the matter. BALBIR SINGH
WALIA, Jalandhar Cantt
Cleft lip is curable
Cleft lip/palate, though a non-communicable disease, is still one of the most prominent diseases among infants in India as well as around the globe. More than 40,000 infants are born with this problem every year in India. A majority of people, especially illiterate and those living in rural India, are unaware of the fact that this defect can be treated with surgery. Also, there are poor people who are unable to bear its treatment expenses. So, the government should bear all treatment expenses so that affected children could be treated. RUPINDER PAL KAUR,
Faridkot
Ignoring Punjabi
Delhi University has made an attempt to sideline the Punjabi language at the academic level. It is an injustice to the language which is a window on the rich culture and heritage of Punjab. It was a prominent language of the capital a few years ago with more than 70 per cent people conversing in this language. The policy to corner this language will harm the larger interests of students or learners of various languages. All Punjabi-loving people should unite to to save the language because to ignore it will amount to ignoring the value-oriented culture, tradition and civilisation of Punjab and Punjabis. PARAMVIR SINGH, Patiala
Well done, pilots
The commendable job done in the Uttarakhand rescue operations by soldiers and ITBP men deserves nationwide appreciation. Defying the difficult topography of the hill state and bad weather, helicopter pilots evacuated 80 pilgrims in 72 landings. The political leaders must learn something from them. India is really proud of its apolitical armed forces. Besides being professional to the core, they undertook humanitarian work with complete dedication. Now it is our turn to contribute our bit in rebuilding and rehabilitation works. SHANTI SWAROOP SHARMA,
Dharamsala
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