Opinion - Letters to the Editor

An opportunity

The disastrous quake in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is unfortunate. But it is also an opportunity to unite the divided people on the two sides of Kashmir (editorial "A tragedy and an opportunity," Oct. 11). Soon after the December 2004 tsunami devastated Indonesia, the rebels of the Free Aceh Movement and the Indonesian Government signed peace — after almost 30 years of conflict. The tsunami helped to cement the differences. The October 8 quake has given India and Pakistan a historic opportunity. The need of the hour is to put aside all selfish claims and use the opportunity to not just help the victims but also to end the decades old differences.

Ritesh Parmar,
Anand, Gujarat

There are lessons in every tragedy. For nations in major earthquake zones, the key lessons are: schools should be built to withstand quakes and children should be given drills on responding to earthquakes. Both New Delhi and Islamabad have a joint interest in taking such steps. They have populations living on the southern flank of the Himalayas, where the Indian tectonic plate is slowly crashing into the Asian continent. Geologists have long warned of giant quakes. Last week's seismic tragedy should help the two nations draw closer.

Md. Ziyaullah Khan,
Nagpur

The Indian Army has not struck a bond with the ordinary Kashmiris over the past half-a-century. The last 16 years of bloody conflict have seen mutual hostility and suspicions increase. But the quake seems to have changed the equation. For the first time, the local people are seeing the human face of the Army. That it took a massive earthquake for this to happen is unfortunate.

Javaid Iqbal Bhat,
New Delhi

The Centre should launch a fund for earthquake relief operations in Kashmir and contributions should be used for the people of both sides of Kashmir. Where lives and hopes of thousands have been shattered, politics has no place.

Velavartipati Vachaspati,
Ongole, A.P.

The editorial was timely and most appealing. While natural disasters cannot be helped, friendship and peace are well within the control of nations. The quake has certainly provided Pakistan and India an opportunity to come closer and build bonds of lasting friendship.

K.D. Viswanaathan,
Coimbatore

The editorial was insightful. The silver lining is the opportunity for both the nations to reach out. This will go a long way in cementing the emotional bond between the people — truly the need of the hour.

Suresh Manoharan,
Hyderabad

It is said that adversity brings out the best in us. This is the opportune time for us to shed our animosities and help victims rebuild their lives.

V. Rajesh,
Mumbai

As rightly pointed out, the disaster has presented an opportunity to India to build an emotional bridge with Pakistan.

R. Ramji,
Chennai

How fast and unexpected the end can be is something man will never be able to predict. Let us therefore sink our differences. Kashmir has suffered so much in the quake that the Line of Control, over which the two nations have fought three wars, has almost been destroyed. Who knows what the future has in store for the rest of us? Why continue to breed animosity?

Mumtaz Ali Khan,
Bangalore

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