Friday, December 06, 2013

Kashmir & Art.370.



Kashmir & Art.370.

Amitabh Mattoo's analysis (December 6) of Art.370 of our Constitution does not give a clear picture of the Kashmir problem. It has been well-said that the difference between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, our first prime minister, and Sardar Vallabha Bhai Patel, our first deputy prime minister, is clearly seen in the handling of the State of Jammu & Kashmir and the State of Hyderabad. The clear-headed Sardar took police action when the Razakars inflicted attrocities on the people of Hyderabad, and integrated it with India. Nehru stopped our army when it is about to clear the Jammu & Kashmir state from all the invaders, declared a cease-fire and took it to the Security Council. It created a fertile ground for other countries to play a role in Kashmir. Art.370 is the result of that folly.It has created a wall between India and the State of Jammu & Kashmir,which was merged with India when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession as per the Indian Independence Act enacted by the British Government, like all other princely states. Modi is right in asking for a debate on the benefits of this wall for Indians including the Kashmiris. He has asked a valid question about IITs and IIMs in Kashmir. Art.370, like socialism and non-alignment, has outlived its utility and validity. Our Constitution has been amended many times to keep in tune with the changing times. We cannot freeze our political,economical and social progress forever.


December 6, 2013.

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The Waste Warriors.


The Waste Warriors



The report, And the battle continues (The Hindu,December 4,2013) is a sad commentary on the apathy of Indians towards waste. It is well-known that waste disposal is necessary for the health of the people and even profitable ( as a manure, and can yield methane gas and produce electricity), the civic authorities in most parts of the country have not addressed this issue. Half the illnesses in the country come from unhygienic living conditions. As Tashi Pareek points out we do not respect the people who collect our garbage.They are not well-paid and their working conditions are bad. The first thing that needs to be done is to pay them as much as a clerk in an office, if not more, and recognise their services to the society. Mahatma Gandhi used to insist on all inmates of his ashram to clean the toilet and sweep the floor to emphasise the dignity of labour. Of course, we have all forgotten him except on his birthday. 
December 6,2013.
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