Letters to the EDITOR: Superfluous war mongering

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Superfluous war mongering

The horror of the April 22 attack at Barsana under Pahalgam taluk in Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir UT is haunting all in the country as a nightmare. The brutal act of the four terrorists killing 26 innocent tourists holidaying there, before the eyes of their wives and close relations, has moved the minds with a fire of retribution to avenge the attack by neutralising the perpetrators at the earliest. But a day after the incident, the nonstop cacophony on TV channels was giving a wrong impression, as if a war between India and Pakistan had begun. Constant reporting of army movements, any drills or trials of fighter jets, etc., and uncertainty about whether the exercises relate to an impending action, shown 24/7 on the channels, may be sending confusing signals to the country and afflicting the public image of India abroad.

Defence experts say that to avoid detection on the security forces' radar, the terrorists are not even using mobile phones to bypass interception of their voice and location. I do not understand such a technical issue, but it reveals that terrorists are using sophisticated devices based on inputs like messages and locational directions, which is why these demons are still untraced in the thick wooded forests of Pahalgam hills, even ten days after its occurrence. It is now germane that the matter of revengeful action on the terrorists and their total elimination is better left to the governmental agencies, and the audiovisual media should restrain from repeating unverified reporting on such sensitive issues.

Pannalal Dey

Guwahati.

Laughter is life’s essence

A life without laughter is like a flower without fragrance. Laughter can firmly put both the physiology and psychology of a person in top gear. Retaining the ability to laugh at oneself, someone or something can be one of the most precious qualities of a man or a woman. It is a line that separates laughter and pain, happiness and sadness, comedy and tragedy. For enjoying life and keeping the vibrancy of life alive, nothing can beat laughter. Give a person the uncanny sense of humour, even the wry one; there is no way he will slip into grief. To keep apprehension, tension and depression at bay; to keep friendship and relations intact; and to disentangle from a tricky and tight situation, the "laughter tonic" can help.

 Humourists often concede that more than cracking a joke, it is the potential to laugh at the humour of fellow human beings that identifies a genuinely funny man or woman. Plenty of human emotions are described as mankind's blessing to people, and humour is counted as one. Studies and statistics have their own value, but individuals' intricate faculty to loosen their facial muscles, let out a guffaw and go gaga transcends learning, research and scholarship. A common man craves for amusement in daily life in the form of programmes through television and cinema. That is why there are more takers for comedy and satirical plays. "World Laughter Day", observed on May 4, was founded in 1998 by India's Madan Kataria, a physician and founder of Laughter Yoga.

Dr Ganapathi Bhat

(gbhat13@gmail.com)

Beauty of India

India is a land of immense beauty, shaped by its rich culture, diverse landscapes, and deep spirituality. From the Himalayas to the beaches of Goa, every region tells a unique story. Its festivals – Eid, Diwali, Holi, Baishakhi, etc. – celebrate unity in diversity.

Historic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Sarnath, Qutub Minar, Gateway of India, Meenakshi Temple, etc., showcase our rich history and architectural prowess. India's languages, music, and cuisine change every few miles, yet harmony thrives. Sacred rivers, spiritual sites, and vibrant traditions give India a soul like no other, blending ancient wisdom with what lies in its heart – resilient, colourful, and internally inspiring.

Sofikul Islam,

(sofikulislam22282228@gmail.com)

Alarming rise in student suicides

A disturbing increase in student suicides has been reported following the recent announcement of board examination results. These incidents have highlighted the immense academic pressure placed on students across the country. Emotional well-being appears to have been neglected in the pursuit of academic excellence.

It is strongly recommended that schools be instructed to establish proper counselling services. Awareness must be raised among parents and teachers to focus more on mental health and character-building rather than mere marks. Students must not be judged solely by exam results. Steps should be taken immediately by the authorities to ensure a supportive academic environment where students feel valued and safe.

Amir Zaman,

(ameerzaman122@gmail.