Kashmir, young again

Kashmir is going through a generational shift. It has got a CM who is young, idealistic and symbolises a break with the past.

8226; Kashmir is going through a generational shift. It has got a CM who is young, idealistic and symbolises a break with the past. It8217;s good that the father decided in the end to make way for the son. Omar Abdullah is a democrat and a very visible face in Indian politics. The poll results and the high voter turnout point to new engagements that the people of J038;K seek. More importantly perhaps, they have also begun to care about the means adopted to reach those ends. Kashmir has had limited exposure to democracy and an open society. It is naiuml;ve to assume that a single stint from Omar Abdullah will change everything. But Abdullah Jr does have youth and ideals on his side. Kashmiris need prosperity, education, healthcare: above all, a decent and secure life.

8212; Keshab Mansukhani Pune

Work to do

8226; This refers to Amitabh Mattoo8217;s 8216;Election over, there8217;s work to be done8217;. Now that the composition of the new J038;K government is known, one hopes that the NC-Congress alliance will govern the troubled state well. Mattoo8217;s five-point agenda is welcome, but perhaps a little more needs to be done about the Pandits. Not even the BJP, which capitalised on the Amarnath row, thought it necessary to address this humanitarian problem. One hopes that the new government will generate goodwill among Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists alike in J038;K and do whatever it can to pull the state out of its misery.

8212; S.C. Panda Bhubaneswar

Pak won8217;t act

8226; It appears that Pakistan is ready to proceed against terrorists responsible for Mumbai, 26/11, IE, January 1. But the truth is that Pakistan is totally unwilling to take action against Lashkar-e-Toiba or seen to be acting at India8217;s behest. Even a mountain of evidence is not going to help. The best solution is absolute unity and steadfast vigilance at home against any further attacks.

8212; R.J. Khurana Bhopal

Hope reborn

8226; This refers to the editorial 8216;Dhaka, a New Year8217; and the article 8216;Morning in the East8217;. The landslide victory of Sheikh Hasina8217;s Awami League-led alliance is a victory of progressive forces and of democracy in Bangladesh. It might yet bring peace and stability to our east. Khaleda Zia8217;s BNP had strengthened the jihadi hold on Bangladesh, thereby facilitating Pakistan8217;s geopolitical interests vis-agrave;-vis India. Hasina is likely to rein in the radicals and bring development to the impoverished nation. She brings both India and Bangladesh hope.

8212; M.C. Joshi Lucknow

End of bad days?

8226; The year 2008 was disastrous. Terrorism dominated headlines for most of the year. One can only hope that 2009 will mark a change. Perhaps this year, India will wake up to the efficacy of prompt action and self-confidence.

8212; S.N. Kabra Mumbai