Southern States
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Tamil Nadu-Chennai
Between You & Me
CHENNAI
TO GET the Taliban on the run before two weeks were over must have given a great deal of comfort and relief to the United States and allies, though it could not have taken away the sense of horror and indignation that the Americans felt over the devastating attacks on New York and Washington in which thousands perished. It would seem that along with the Northern Alliance, the U.S. and its allies mopped up the entire country.
Using their massive forces, and the latest strategic means and with a minimum of bloodshed, the Allies have managed to take over airports and vital installations. Kandahar, as I am writing, has obviously turned over by Mullah Omar, though Omar himself seems to have disappeared. Kandahar is the headquarters and strong refuge of the Talibans. Many Talibans are believed to be hiding there. Osama bin Laden himself, with the true courage of a coward, is thought to have left for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, negotiations are on with many of the Afghan leaders participating, with a view to forming a new government, without Taliban presence, for a six-month period. Naturally it is not going to be easy to form such a government, as each leader will be looking out for himself. But it will be a good beginning which will bring Afghanistan into the comity of nations.
Why did Taliban fail in the end? I should think that corrupt political murders, a single-minded fanaticism and enforcing an artificial ban on the people's way of socialisation and entertainment. The destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas was a notable event in the reign of terror. If only Taliban had given the impression of attacking another nation, its fate would have been different.
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THE CITIZENS Advice Bureau has sent the column a copy of its publication, Sevi Chelvam (Joy of Hearing) for free distribution to senior citizens. The booklet has been written by eminent ENT specialists and gives information regarding keeping the ear in good condition and suggestion for better hearing. It is available at the Bureau (Capt. M. Singaraja, Secretary General, Citizens Advice Bureau, 90, Ramanaicken St., Nungambakkam, Chennai-600034) as well as Higginbothams, at Rs. 15 per copy.
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I AM frequently asked by readers as to which subject receives most adverse criticism in recent letters. I am glad to oblige. A short list of five would go like this, in ascending order. Telephone Dept., Corporation and its manifold activities, Pension systems, eve-teasing and autorickshaws. As you can see, autorickshaws occupy pride of place. Not a week goes by without someone sending in a horror story about their tribulations with the autorickshaw they chose.
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WE HAVE had this story before, Parthasarathy, but several readers have asked for the correct version. So here we go. The late, unlamented Adolf Hitler, apparently was a strong believer in astrology, and had quite a few of them around. One day, hearing about a famed Jewish astrologer, he said to him, after some exchange of pleasantries: Tell me, Jew, when will I die? The astrologer, batting his eyelash and without missing a beat, said: It will be on a Jewish holiday. Hitler screamed: Which Jewish holiday? The astrologer shrugged his shoulders, and said: Any day you die will be a Jewish holiday.
S. KRISHNAN
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