While keeping a track of government’s concern to see that the ensuing yatra to the holy cave of Amarnath is concluded without any mishap, it is a matter of satisfaction that all measures are taken in right direction. The Home Ministry is monitoring the conduct of peaceful yatra and the Special Secretary of Internal Security camped in Srinagar to take stock of things in this connection. He has headed a high powered meeting attended by DGP and seniors of intelligence organizations as well as the state administrative machinery to get feed back on the preparations of a safe yatra. In view of some mishaps happened some years back, the Government does not want to allow even the smallest lapse in security arrangement. That the Home Ministry has come of age in regard to the need of ensuring safe yatra is a positive point and we appreciate it. The helipad and updated medical facilities are of much significance and hopefully pilgrims will appreciate that their yatra is a matter of much concern to the Government. Diffusion of tension that had surged on account of some sections of yatris demanding beginning of the yatra from 4 June instead of 25th June is a welcome step and people appreciate the patience on the side of the Government as well as the people in not making it a contentious issue. This is the spirit of cooperation.
Mailbag
Improving health scenario
Sir,
Refer news item ”Pak delegation meets Azad— and ”Gates lauds India’s health initiative”… in DE June 1. Ever since Mr Azad took the reins of health department at centre in his hands, substantial achievement has been made in the health sector whether it pertains to eradication of some diseases, providing health care to the farthest corners of the country, immunization programmes etc. They MCI and DCI, which had been suffering from some loopholes, have been rectified and reconstituted. The number of seats for medical graduates and other post graduate seats has been increased to produce qualified doctors. The rendering of one year’s service in rural areas by doctors has been made compulsory in order to provide the best medical services to the rural people who otherwise would get deprived of such essential service. The scams in NRHM are being investigated in afflicted states especially in UP. It is because of the hectic efforts of our veteran, zealous and relentless minister Mr Azad, the son-of-soil, that our neighbouring country Pakistan has sent a delegation under Ms. Shahnaz Wazir comprising of health officials of that country to discuss the measures India took to stop polio virus transmissions. The delegation was highly appreciative of the measures taken in health care especially in fighting polio during the last two years. Similarly Gates also lauded India’s efforts in improving health parameters and assured Mr Azad of his continous support in national health programme.
All this shows that Mr Azad, inspite of being over busy with organizational matters of the Congress Party leaves no stone unturned to improve health care in such a big country.
Yours etc…
Dwarika Nath Raina
H No. 131 Upper Muthi
Gentleman’s game
Sir,
Cricket has been called a gentle man’s game. Why this word gentle man was tagged with this game only, when the players of other games are no less honourable and respectable persons. Cricket took its birth in England and its original players were nobels, lords and rich. They were people of very high social standing. To this aristocratic class cricket provided an opportunity to spend time, some playing and other watching for days together. Thus the cricket came to be called a gentle man’s game. But what is happening in the present day cricket, by no means, it can be termed as a gentle man’s game.
Channelising youth energy besides fun and entertainment is the motive of every game. But the contemporary cricket with its new version especially IPL is synonym with glamour money laundering, less of a game and more of a showbiz. Right from players to organizers, team owners, broadcaster, advertizers all have one motive which is money. Match fixing, bettings, scams have become part of the ‘gentleman’s game’. Poor countries like India where a good percentage of people can not make both ends meals, cricket players becoming millionaire and billionaire looks comical and rediculous. This is not out of jealousy but does this money laundering along with waste of precious time by one and all, be he a student, a shop keeper, an office goer, home maker or a rickshaw puller, every body talking of cricket makes sense? Does this behave us, who are beset with problems of poverty, hunger, lack of health care, illiteracy, gender bias and utter lack of facilities for other games.
The Olympic games are testimony where we actually stand. Cricket has flourished at the cost of other games including our national games hockey. People have become blind followers without realizing that rugged and rustic pillags and tirkeys are unable to find place in this so called great game.
Yours etc…
Harjinder Singh
Retd DFO
Nanak Nagar
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