Bureaucratic self-indulgence
Last week India signed an agreement with the Dominican Republic to the effect that Indian Diplomatic and official Passport holders will not require visa to visit that country. Other developing countries try to get visa free entry for businesspersons of their countries (who hold ordinary passports) but the focus of GoI is a always on convenience of its officers. Incidentally, there is little work for Indian officials in Dominican Republic. However, it is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbeans. Now GoI officers making 'official' trips will be saved from the bother of getting a visa.
Dr N C Saxena
Don’t opine without checking on facts
It has become a habit with some persons to give their opinion without checking on facts. The latest one is one of your surfers joining the brigade which blame Nehru for the mess Kashmir is today. It is true that Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession when faced with the tribal raiders who were able to overtake much of his state. He was otherwise keen to remain independent, one of the choices given to Princely states by British. Nehru, a true democrat, agreed to decide the fate of Kashmiris through plebiscite .There were two factors going strong at that time in favour of India. The most popular leader of Kashmiris at that time was Sheikh Abdulla who was a friend of Nehru and trusted him(though he was betrayed later on and put in jail)People of Kashmir would have gone with India at his bidding if the plebiscite was held at that point of time. Kashmiris also with their culture of sufiyat did not consider themselves to be part of a country solely carved out on the basis of religion. Times have changed. Our mistakes as well as Pakistan's relentless pursuit of getting Kashmir by hook or crook has changed the entire land scape. First we failed to check the spread of Wahabi Islam in Kashmir by letting so many mosques and Madrasas come up in Srinagar and elsewhere. Secondly by letting the Pandits leave the valley(why could we not stop them by protecting them) the Islamisation of the valley was complete. Plebiscite is of course no longer a choice. During Nehru's time it was. Article 370 was incorporated to give Kashmir a special status till the issue of the decision of the people over their fate was resolved. This was the need or the demand of the hour then. Today we are living in a different world where consensus, dialogue or will of the people are words not relevant in the statecraft while pursuing what we think is in national interest.
Aarti Khosla
Delayed promotion orders – cause of concern
Extension orders are passed well in time. Promotion orders are delayed, well after retirement and many are denied benefits of promotion.
Vijay
Dr N C Saxena
Don’t opine without checking on facts
It has become a habit with some persons to give their opinion without checking on facts. The latest one is one of your surfers joining the brigade which blame Nehru for the mess Kashmir is today. It is true that Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession when faced with the tribal raiders who were able to overtake much of his state. He was otherwise keen to remain independent, one of the choices given to Princely states by British. Nehru, a true democrat, agreed to decide the fate of Kashmiris through plebiscite .There were two factors going strong at that time in favour of India. The most popular leader of Kashmiris at that time was Sheikh Abdulla who was a friend of Nehru and trusted him(though he was betrayed later on and put in jail)People of Kashmir would have gone with India at his bidding if the plebiscite was held at that point of time. Kashmiris also with their culture of sufiyat did not consider themselves to be part of a country solely carved out on the basis of religion. Times have changed. Our mistakes as well as Pakistan's relentless pursuit of getting Kashmir by hook or crook has changed the entire land scape. First we failed to check the spread of Wahabi Islam in Kashmir by letting so many mosques and Madrasas come up in Srinagar and elsewhere. Secondly by letting the Pandits leave the valley(why could we not stop them by protecting them) the Islamisation of the valley was complete. Plebiscite is of course no longer a choice. During Nehru's time it was. Article 370 was incorporated to give Kashmir a special status till the issue of the decision of the people over their fate was resolved. This was the need or the demand of the hour then. Today we are living in a different world where consensus, dialogue or will of the people are words not relevant in the statecraft while pursuing what we think is in national interest.
Aarti Khosla
Delayed promotion orders – cause of concern
Extension orders are passed well in time. Promotion orders are delayed, well after retirement and many are denied benefits of promotion.
Vijay