Bhutto and Gowda
Bhutto and Gowda
"For the sake of our people and as civilized nations, let us
sit across the table for a search for lasting peace," Pakistan
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto wrote in a letter to her Indian
counterpart, H.D. Deve Gowda (The Jakarta Post, June 12, 1996).
The very next day I read in The Jakarta Post (June 13, 1996),
"Premier Bhutto tells story of world's urban horrors". In her
striking speech before the second UN Conference of Human
Settlements, she poetically described the urban problems by
quoting T.S. Eliot and Margaret Mead.
A policy on peace in the Indian subcontinent is urgent. The
reason is not hard to see. Popular fear of religious
fundamentalism has grown, especially with the rise of Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) to the largest party in India. If BJP were in
power, I am afraid it would be harder even to have an intelligent
debate on bilateral relations. Under the circumstances,
something, preferably something bold, must be done about it.
Reciprocating her views, Deve Gowda is proposing to encourage
trade, economic and cultural contacts while taking up other
issues of concern. Deve Gowda's policy to give Jammu and Kashmir
"the maximum degree of autonomy" is welcome.
It is also refreshing to read Bhutto's quotations of T.S.
Eliot at a time when subcontinent politicians are losing respect
at a fast pace. There is nothing odd or surprising in her
observation of appalling picture, "full of untold horror", of the
world's cities. Though it has become common knowledge that
breathing, let alone deep breathing, is becoming harmful in
cities, her speech covering dirt, slums, pollution, noise, high
divorce rates, drugs, violence and criminal activity is laudable.
"I want to know God's thoughts...the rest are details," Albert
Einstein said.
If genuinely committed, it will not be difficult to eliminate
the obstacles, however daunting they may be, to harmonious
relations among the nations or making cities better places to
live.
Congratulations to both the leaders.
D. PRABHAKAR
Jakarta