Editor,
This is indeed a wounded modern civilization. The frequent terror attacks have created more chaos. When the UN Security Council designated Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, I instantly remembered the famous statement made by the father of Atomic bomb – Robert Julius Oppenheimer, “We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Bhagavad-Gita… ‘Now, I become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” It makes a lot of sense and is more relevant now if we think little deeply. Yes, the nuclear scientist had said this with regret on the decision of making bombs and the consequential destruction of Japan.
Again, given the fact that Masood Azhar and his ilk have been bombing and killing countless innocent lives across the world, our “silence” is more dangerous. It took so long to call a spade and spade. The “cry” against terror is not at all shrill. The Balakot airstrike which followed the bloody Pulwama attack vis-à-vis the present Lok Sabha Election, has clearly exposed what our leaders can think about the country and its security. Many did not even hold back to “laugh” off the government action. So, the above-mentioned quote by the father of the atomic bomb perfectly resonates with the twists and turns of world politics, ego and businesses of the modern times.
Very strangely some people here in the home country show more respect for terrorists than the killed army personnel and innocent civilians. They try hard to ignore the acts of malevolence of Osama bin Laden calling him “ji” and so on, even while Afzal-ji is the darling of many. The majority of us are mute and confused spectators. I think this way we are only slipping from bad to worse. I’m afraid, that our silence against the increasing rise of the terror will soon be driving humanity to the brink of disaster. Shall we still keep ourselves in the delusion of this great civilization? Who knows the whole edifice of advanced modernity may be reduced to ashes if we continue to allow the terrorists to have the last laugh!
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Via email
District Council back in the news
Editor,
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council is again making news for the wrong reasons. As in the past when the Rs.133 crore SPA package was at stake, the bone of contention this time is the package of Special Plan Assistance to the tune of only Rs.52 crore. Six disgruntled MDCs in the ruling UDA have resigned over the disparity in the allocation of the amount to MDCs reducing the UDA coalition to a minority. Yes, prima facie, there was discrimination in the allocation of funds to the MDCs, for which the CEM and the EC was responsible. But this drama enacted in the Council is highly unbecoming and irresponsible on the part of the CEM, EC and the MDCs. Why can this simple matter not be sorted out among themselves? Why has it to be made into a public spectacle? Indeed this is a wonder. It seems the CEM was either adamant or lacks judgement and foresight for things to erupt. Or there might have been some other ulterior considerations which we may not know of. However, as leader of the team the CEM was expected to come round the disgruntled MDCs and pacify them before the matter went public. It clearly shows that the leader of the coalition lacks experience, quick judgment, diplomacy and foresight to deal with his team members. It was not at all difficult to distribute the small amount of Rs 52 crore but the matter became complicated when justice and fair play was missing,
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via-email
Whither Stilwell Road
Editor,
I would like to state that the Stilwell road which is more popularly known as The Ledo Road has helped the Indian government during the Second World War. This historic road connects two countries, India and China, though constructed by the Allied soldiers led by America. If this road is again revived by the Indian government, we could take at least take some preventive measures before the Chinese government takes advantage of it. Though the Indian Government has proposed to reopen this road and making it an International Highway for trade route links to Myanmar, China and other South East Asian countries in the Act East policy, yet no concrete efforts have been made beyond talking about it. If this road reopens, the isolation of North East India would end and we would be better able to engage in trade and commerce with South East Asia. It is time that the Look East Policy which is now called the Act East Policy is actually acted upon.
Yours etc.,
Sudarsana Duwarah,
Dibrugarh University