| 23 October 2004 | Saturday | 08 Ramazan 1425 |
Flyover designs
Of rains and roads
Zero tolerance for traffic violations
Note for contributors
'Worshipped, reviled or irrelevant?'
Suggestions to KESC
Electoral rolls
Cricket team's performance
Sohail's feat
The Palestine question
Sweeteners in food
War in national interest?
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
Besides the havoc unleashed by Attlee and Mount batten mentioned in Mr Jalal Ahmed's letter on Sept 1, there are a number of other grave instances of non-feasance and malfeasance committed by Mount batten as the last viceroy of undivided India.
His secretary Campbell-Johnson writes in his book Mission with Mount batten that Lord Mount batten was informed about the conspiracy of the Sikh leadership in June 1947 to carry out a genocide of Muslims and Muslim-cleansing in East Punjab. He had sympathy for the Sikhs.
He failed to restrain their leadership from embarking on this heinous adventure and did not take any precautionary and safety measures to protest the life, property and honour of helpless Muslims and so the Sikhs, aided by the army and para-military forces of the Sikh states, carried out their plan with impunity.
Mount batten was designated as the future governor-general of India in July 1947 by the Congress leaders. He had therefore attained the position of an interested party in the arbitration process of the Boundary Commission.
But he threw all equitable and legal norms to the wind and lodged Radcliff (the chairman of the Boundary Commission) in the annexe of the Viceroy's House and used his influence to change the Boundary Award in favour of India and to the detriment of Pakistan's interests.
As the last viceroy he was mandated to transfer power and to complete the process fairly and impartially. He knew that the new dominion of Pakistan had to start from scratch.
On the other hand, India was to get everything intact. Despite this, he maliciously failed to arrange transfer of Pakistan's share of army personnel, arms and ammunition, equipment and other stores and the currency share of the Reserve Bank to Pakistan before inaugurating the government of the new state on Aug 14, 1947.
While he was honour and duty bound to be impartial as viceroy in the whole partition process (including accession of states), he visited Srinagar (after announcement of the June 3 Plan) to restrain the maharaja from declaring independence and motivated him to join India and assured him of full military aid and personal security in this regard.
He had detailed negotiations with the rulers of states and settled the principle of accession of their states either to India or Pakistan. This was a very important part of transfer of power, but he did not get the principles of accession of princely states incorporated in the Indian Independence Act, 1947, so that the matter remained open to his and the Congress leaders' machinations, especially with regard to Muslim majority states.
KHAWAJA MUHAMMAD BASHIR BUTT
Bahawalnagar
Flyover designs
The design of the flyover at Karachi's Nipa Chowrangi seems to have been created by some unscrupulous person. Can somebody explain why two separate bridges have been constructed to take Rashid Minhas Road all the way across University Road and the Circular Railway when one solid bridge could have served the purpose admirably? It contains the following blunders:
a. Instead of four, only two parapet walls should have been built, with one median divider.
b. Instead of six rows of pillars, five should have sufficed.
c. The overall width of the bridge should have been several feet less.
Considering the length of the bridges, imagine the extra cost incurred on the whole project. And that is not all. The space in-between the two bridges has been wasted, squeezing the two roads and the service lanes on either side of the bridges, thus putting commuters to unnecessary inconvenience.
Similarly, in the FTC flyover on Sharea Faisal, the ramp landing towards the Lines Area goes too far into the residential area, then turns left to join the existing road.
It could have taken an immediate left turn and joined the road near the petrol pump there, mirror imaging the other ramp joining Sharea Faisal and utilizing the area lying vacant. Imagine the extra money spent on this project, especially the cost of acquiring land in a thickly- populated area.
These are just two examples of how bureaucrats can increase the cost of projects for the sake of bigger kickbacks. Now that several other projects are to be taken in hand in the near future, it is important that all project designs are vetted by highly qualified professionals of high integrity before being approved.
N. A. KHAN
Karachi
Of rains and roads
The first pre-winter shower dealt a blow to the already poor condition of many Karachi roads. Much of this damage was done by the accumulation of water in depressions, which are the result of initial bad construction.
Now, road construction is not rocket science, and any experienced contractor should be able to do a decent and permanent job. In England it rains regularly for several months each year but the roads do not fall apart. I am sure we possess the expertise for constructing good roads.
Our problem is corruption. No responsible person of the department concerned bothers to inspect the completed works before approving the contractors' bills for payment. The path to approval is of course made smooth before the submission of bills by the contractors.
While on the subject of roads it would not be out of place to mention the deplorable condition of the Dockyard Road, daily traversed by over a thousand vehicles. This is perhaps the most important road of the country on account of the fact that at least 60 per cent of our exports and imports move through this artery and the strategic naval dockyard is also situated on this road. Yet the road turns into a foot-deep pool of water after a shower, making it unmotorable.
Given its importance, it is strange indeed that no one has bothered to pay attention to the poor condition of this road and no one has ever been taken to task for fraudulent and bad workmanship.
ABDUL MALIK
Karachi
Zero tolerance for traffic violations
Last week the chief commissioner of Islamabad directed the Islalambad capital territory police to show zero tolerance while enforcing traffic rules. This is a welcome development as no other chief commissioner has ever bothered to give importance to traffic rule violations in the capital, which have resulted in the loss of many a precious life and caused many disabilities.
Motorists are increasingly disregarding traffic signals and underage youngsters are seen driving big cars - all these violations being committed right in the presence of the traffic police. If these violations remain unchecked, Islamabad might soon become a city known for undisciplined and dangerous traffic.
However, there are problems in enforcing the chief commissioner's directive. The Islamabad traffic police consists of 244 personnel - six inspectors, 12 sub-inspectors, 37 assistant sub-inspectors, 52 head constables and 137 constables.
Out of these, 189 (or 78 per cent) do not have challan books nor are they provided with any official notebooks to record the registration numbers of vehicles driven in violation of rules.
They are therefore unable to take any punitive action against the violators. Positioned at some 70 points, they are often insulted, humiliated and sometimes even manhandled by errant drivers.
To make the traffic police effective, they must be provided with challan books to enable them to undertake their 16-hour daily duty with determination, courage and dignity.
BASHEER ALI
Islamabad
Note for contributors
We appreciate our contributors for sending in articles and other writings for publication in the various sections of Dawn. Since we receive scores of such contributions every day, it would help sort them out if they are sent to the relevant section where the writers want their articles to be published instead of all contributions being sent at editor@dawn.com. The emails of the different sections are carried by each section, but are reproduced below for readers' convenience.
Contributors are also requested not to send the same article to different sections of Dawn or to other newspapers. While every effort will be made to acknowledge receipt of contributions, if an article or a letter is not printed or acknowledged within a fortnight of its receipt, it should be safe to assume that it will not be published.
Books & Authors: b-a@dawn.com
EBR weekly: ebrweekly@dawn.com
Education Page: education@dawn.com
Encounter: encounter@dawn.com
Gallery: gallery@dawn.com
Leader Page: leaderpage@dawn.com
Letters: letters@dawn.com
Magazine: magazine@dawn.com
Sci-tech World: science@dawn.com
The Review: the-review@dawn.com
Young World: youngworld@dawn.com
'Worshipped, reviled or irrelevant?'
This is apropos of the Dateline New Delhi "Worshipped, reviled or irrelevant" by Mr Jawed Naqvi (Dawn, Oct 4), quoting a recent BBC report researched by Mike Thomson about the formation of the Indian Legion in Germany by Subhas Chandra Bose, purportedly bringing to the public knowledge for the first time this sensational disclosure.
As if this was not enough, the BBC report sought to give credence to its research findings by referring to a secret file which was not to be released till 2021, but to which the BBC was given special access 17 years early.
Perhaps, Mr Thomson was not aware of a book Im Zeichen des-Tigers in Germany by Rudolf Hertog and its English translation The sign of the tiger appearing in 2001 in India (Rupa & Co).
The author, Rudolf Hertog, served with the Indian Legion as an interpreter after his return from active service in Russia. Having first-hand knowledge, his narration of events can be taken as authentic.
While chronicling the lesser known episode of the Indian freedom struggle, besides using documents in the military archives in Germany, the author has drawn on eyewitness reports in the form of diaries, letters and photographs from those who participated in the formation of the legion.
The book is a fascinating and compelling read and describes in detail the formation of the Indian Legion in Germany by the former soldiers of the British Indian army, who volunteered to fight for the freedom of their country in collusion with the Axis powers. It was set up as the Infanterie Regiment-950 under the German high command and supported by the German foreign office.
The author while describing the aim of the Indian Legion in Germany says that "it was inspired by Bose who after an adventurous" escape from India to Berlin, where he lived from 1941-1943, was to declare a government in exile and set up an army which would advance into India from the West with the help of the Axis powers and so free it from British rule.
However fantastic this might sound today, this plan corresponded with the German plan to advance into India through the Middle East, Transcaucasia and Afghanistan and to join forces with the Japanese. But
where Japan occupied Burma in 1942 and advanced as far as the Indian frontier, the German advance got stuck in the Caucasus and North Africa. The military situation had changed.
The author discloses that in spite of the racist policy of the ruling Nazis that contradicted any association with a people who belonged to the "coloured races", it was possible for Bose to get the means to run a "Free India Centre" in Berlin and to set up an India Legion of regiment strength.
Bose's departure for the Far East is excellently recorded and the readers get to know that Bose left Kiel harbour on board a motor-launch in the early hours of Feb 8, 1943, accompanied by his adjutant Abid Hassan.
They were then transferred on board a brand new U-180 submarine commanded by Krovetten Kapitan Werner Musenberg. These details were provided by a member of the crew, the mechanist Hermann Wien, and the captain himself who took part in the video of the interview with the author with those who were once connected with the Indian Legion.
As regards Mr Naqvi's question, I would like to add that the British assessment about the failure of the Raj did not come in the aftermath of World War II. On Feb 18, 1946, the naval ratings revolt had shaken the mighty British empire to its foundations and it was this that led Mr Clement Attlee to send a cabinet mission to India.
This "Mutiny of the Innocents", as one of its leading participants, Mr B.C. Dutt, describes it, was probably the greatest single factor that led to the transfer of power six months later.
CDR (retd) NAJEEB ANJUM
Karachi
Suggestions to KESC
For the last many decades Karachi has been facing a load shedding problem. Even today there are certain areas like Lyari where power is not supplied up to 20 hours every day.
A major reason for this is the heavy load on old and dated transformers. Most of these need immediate replacement. Also, sometimes the old electric wires create problems, especially in the rainy season, when they run into each other, giving the KESC people an excuse for resorting to load shedding.
About the KESC complaint system, the less said the better. The only answer to a complaint is: "It is official load shedding." So, why so many complaint numbers?
Today many countries have overcome the electric wire-snapping problem by opting for underground cable systems. In 1995, the government had prepared a Rs60 million plan to change the wiring system from overhead to underground, but unfortunately it was abandoned by the next government.
Now the government should hurry up and pick up the thread from where it was left. Meanwhile, the KESC should devise a plan to minimize load shedding and cut line losses.
IMRAN KHAN SIAL
Karachi
Electoral rolls
As enlistment of voters and updating of electoral rolls are in progress, I would like to suggest the following:
1. Voters should be registered only at their permanent addresses given in identity cards.
2. The election commission should make it compulsory that candidates for the national and provincial assemblies contest from their own permanent constituencies.
These measures will bring about no demographic change and will surely redress the grievance of the people of Sindh and Balochistan that they are being converted into a minority as far as their representation in the assemblies and the federal cabinet is concerned.
RIAZUL HASAN KHAN
Karachi
Cricket team's performance
Yet another cricket tournament has been lost by the Pakistani cricket team, typifying our cricketing style. Does Mr Bob Woolmer (as aptly written on a placard which was displayed by a fan during the final of the triangular one-day series) have any more aces up his sleeves?
The sand is running out fast and it is about time Mr Woolmer pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat and turned losers into winners.
TARIQ RAZA
Jubail, Saudi Arabia
Sohail's feat
This refers to "Sohail a great asset: president" (Dawn, Oct 17). We are proud of Sohail Abbas for achieving the landmark of scoring the highest number of goals in hockey and pray for his continuous success. He deserves the cash prize he has been given, and we hope others will do their utmost to emulate his achievement.
Hockey is a team game, and positive results are achieved when the forwards and halves move in unison like a well-oiled machine. A team wins by scoring field goals and the specialist is there to reinforce team efforts.
It would be a great folly to bank on one player as the individual is subjected to tremendous pressure which is bound to affect his performance. Sohail Abbas has to be an additional asset and not the only asset.
KHAWAJA AHMED SHAMIM
Karachi
The Palestine question
Many Muslims sympathize deeply with the plight of the Palestinians and are frustrated at the clear support of Sharon by both Kerry and Bush. When asked about what he would do about the issue, Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards talked at length about the rights of Israelis to defend themselves and did not even acknowledge the existence of Palestinians, let alone their rights.
However, let us also acknowledge that we as Muslims have trouble accepting that Israel's existence is a hard reality and that wishing otherwise will not change anything.
For all the injustices done to Palestinians, it is also a fact that they have not presented anyone of proper authority to negotiate on their behalf. So many groups such as Hamas, the PLFP and Islamic Jihad operate at will without checks by the Palestinian Authority. Until the Palestinians unite under one representative group of leaders, they will have no negotiating power and will continue to suffer.
ABDUL H. KHAN
Brighton, MA, USA
Sweeteners in food
I would like to draw the attention of your readers to the fact that seemingly innocuous food items now seem to have additives like sugar which can be detrimental to both diabetics and others.
Recently we bought a carton of natural yogurt made by a private company, and I was surprised to note that it had sucrose listed in the ingredients. The taste was also sweeter than the desi yogurt we get.
Why is it necessary for large food manufacturers to put sweeteners and salts in food, even in plain foods such as yogurt? And if large-scale processing cannot take place without these additives, maybe we should rethink the need to process foods like this.
It is important for both the public and food manufacturers to monitor these issues in the face of rising cases of heart disease, diabetes, etc.
F. MOWJEE
Karachi
War in national interest?
"Pakistan has waged the war on terrorism in the supreme national interest and not on behalf of the West or to please the West," so said a Foreign Office spokesman (Dawn, Oct 10). In response to the above statement, I would like to quote Ghalib as follows:
Dil key behlaney ko Ghalib yeh khayaal achha hey
The question is: what will happen when and if Pakistan decides that it is time to call it a day, and the Americans, as can be expected, don't agree?
Z.A. KAZMI
Karachi
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address:
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.