Let there be warm handshake, be it cricket or diplomatic table: former RAW chief AS Dulat

As winter nip catches up in the serene and tranquil environs of Kasauli, a bevy of litterateurs and men of distinction descended in this quaint hill to celebrate the vision and values that the much-acclaimed author Khushwant Singh cherished at the three-day 14th edition of the Khushwant Singh literature fest.

Recalling Khushwant Singh’s epochal novel, Train to Pakistan, former RAW chief AS Dulat today stressed the need for a dialogue between India and Pakistan. There should be a warm handshake, be it in cricket field or a diplomatic table.

At the same time he warned against the Gen Z turmoil spreading across the country.

In an informal conversation with media persons, Dulat said that the recent uproar in Ladakh is a warning for the nation, though it looks like a feeble possibility at this stage.

Talking about the Indo-Pak relations, which have been under strain for quite some time, Dulat said there is an urgent need for a dialogue. Linking it straight to the upsurge of militancy in J&K, he said whenever there has been a cross-border dialogue the threat of militancy has been minimal. He recalled that after the Kargil conflict the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee invited Gen Musharaff for talks in Agra knowing very well that Gen Musharaff, as Pakistan Army chief, had masterminded the Kargil intrusion. "So, cross border talks must go on even if it has challenges," he said

Commenting on the on field cricket strain between India and Pakistan, he said the grace of the game must be upheld. "If you don’t want to play with Pakistan, don’t do it, but if you are playing a match then handshakes should not be an issue,” he observed.

Celebrated actor Anup Soni, known for his Crime Patrol serial, underlined the need of mutual communication in the society to avoid incidents of crime and conflict. He said violence in the society is generated out of stress for which social interaction and mediation need to be part of our lives.

As a befitting tribute, Renee Singh, a close associate, presented a lyrical homage to the noted writer Khushwant who had penned many novels here.

Renowned author Santosh Desai enthused the audience in an engrossing session “Memes for mummy ji - making sense of post mobile-phone India.”

He reflected on how technology besides empowering even an illiterate person has a cascading impact on the mental health. Poor work culture among Gen Z drew his ire while he termed relationships as “situationships” where partners are more of co therapists.

Desai ridiculed why those in power have to be exempt from rules, illustrating enlisted dignitaries who were exempt from paying Rs 60 as toll while coming to Kasauli. He was all praise for the disciplined city of Chandigarh which he described as a vibrant place where one would desire to live life full.