Sir, The devastating blaze in Kuwait which claimed the lives of 49 people, predominantly Indians mostly from Kerala, is perhaps the worst incident of its kind involving migrant labourers in West Asia in decades. This incident underscores the substandard living conditions under which these guest workers live in GCC countries which are overcrowded with inadequate safety provisions.

This tragic event is a grim reminder of the ongoing exploitation of migrant labourers. The preliminary investigations done by the Kuwaiti authorities point towards overcrowding of accommodation and the violation of fire safety provisions. These workers have substantially contributed towards the development of massive projects like airports, sea ports, highways, and skyscrapers, but their living conditions are deplorable.

It is our bounden duty to see the well being of these workers. Labour attachés in Indian missions in GCC countries should have adequate staff who should visit the labour camps of these migrant workers to see their living conditions. Besides, their complaints should be immediately addressed by the Indian mission.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website.www: rameshjethwani.com.

Sir, The devastating attack on the Al-Ahli-Arabi hospital in the north of Gaza-strip in this ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas are a matter of serious and continuing concern, which has deeply shocked the civilized world, there were a large scale civilian casualties leading to the death of hundreds of civilians,

Al- Ahli-Arabi hospital has a long history of serving in this volatile region amid conflict even with financial and other obstacles, It has been rendering exemplary service to all faiths, this hospital in addition to serving sick, it has provided shelter for the Palestine's people who are internally displaced amid this conflict and who have no where to go amid this conflict.

I am in my mid 70's and have been witness to the several major wars, 1962, 1965, 1971, 1973 Yom Kippur war and 1999 Kargil war, In these wars civilians and Hospitals were never targeted.

Hence In future both parties should exercise utmost caution in their operations and both parties must bide by International humanitarian law ,which means health care facilities must be actively protected at all cost and never targeted.

My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured. and those involved should be held responsible.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website.www: rameshjethwani.com.

Sir, A major attack on the al-Ahli-Arabi hospital in the north of Gaza strip in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas are a matter of serious and continuing concern which has deeply shocked the world, this attack is unprecedented in scale as there was a large scale civilian casualties leading to the death of hundreds of civilians, inspite of war, the hospital was kept open, with patients, health and care givers, and internally displaced people sheltering there.

i am 75 years old who have been witness to the major wars, 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1973 Yom Kippur war and 1999 Kargil war, In these wars civilians and Hospitals were not targeted, hence In future both parties should exercise utmost caution in their operations and both parties must bide by International humanitarian law, which means health care facilities must be actively protected at all cost and never targeted.

My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured. and those involved should be held responsible.

Ramesh G jethwani is a Veteran writer, Voracious reader, Historian and commentator who has been writing in 21 newspapers in India and GCC countries for several decades on various subjects of importance.
His website.www:rameshjethwani.com.

Sir — It is heartening that the Indian national, Hamid Nihal Ansari, who had been imprisoned in Pakistan for many years, has finally returned home to India (“Pak releases Indian prisoner”, Dec 18). Ansari had entered Pakistan illegally through Afghanistan, apparently in order to meet a girl he had met online. His safe return to his family should serve a step towards improving bilateral ties between India and Pakistan, which are always at loggerheads.

This is an ideal opportunity for both countries to take a humanitarian approach towards their prisoners from across the border. Numerous prisoners — including fishermen who had inadvertently strayed into the marine territory of the other country — are languishing in jails in both India and Pakistan. There is little to be gained by either country by holding such people hostage.

It only prolongs the sufferings of their families. The prime ministers of both countries, as gestures of goodwill, must release these prisoners and send them back home. Given the striking similarities between India and Pakistan in terms of food, culture, language and history, it is but natural that the ordinary citizens of both nations want peace and friendship.

(2) Positive step,(Return of Indian prisoner)
    Deccan Herald, 22nd Dec, 2018, L.E.

Sir, The return to India of Hamid Ansari, who was incarcerated in a Pakistan jail for six years, is a welcome step in improving bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.

It is high time the two countries showed more humanitarian approach towards innocent fishermen and other prisoners languishing in jails.

Holding prisoners whose nationality has been confirmed will further prolong the miseries of their families. It is in the best interests of both to release them at the earliest.

The gruesome killing of India's renowned writer and academician M. M. Kalburgi has sent shock waves among all those who dream of a secular national and equitable India.

The 77-year-old who was killed at his home was the winner of the Sahitya Academy the country's top literary award. He had been on the radar of the right wing Hindu groups for his writings and speeches which they saw as anti-Hindu. Kalburgi would always speak out against idol worship that had invited anger and wrath of the Hindutva groups and which ultimately resulted in his death.

The people in Dharwad the literary capital of Karnataka state that has produced the highest number of literature awardees are totally in a state of shock and dismay as such killings targeting giant litterateurs were till not unheard of. Dr. Kalburgi's brutal killing has therefore sparked widespread protests across the state.

An outspoken and liberal writer Kalburgi was professor of Kannada literature and former vice chancellor of Hampi University. He was the winner of many prestigious awards and citations for his contribution to Kannada literature. He has written 100 books. I think a Special Investigation Team (SIT) should be formed with officers experienced in such cases so that the culprits are brought to book at the earliest and exemplary punishment is given to them.

An unfortunate trend has begun in the country to silence the voice of freedom and reason. We know that not much ago Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare were killed in similar fashion. Their murders still remain unsolved. They too had expressed similar rational views. All efforts must be made for the security of such people if India's character of a nation in diversity is to be saved.

The ghastly images of Dana Manjhi, a tribal man from Indian state of Orrisa, carrying the body of his wife on his shoulders along his silently sobbing daughter are enough to shake the conscience of the entire nation. It was disgusting to learn that the hospital where the poor woman passed away did not provide the family with an ambulance to transport her body.

It indicates that how the system has failed to provide the common man with basic facilities. We all know that rich and resourceful people don’t need such support from the state or state-run institutions.

However, ideally in a country like India, which is a fast-emerging economic power, the situation should have been otherwise. We seriously need to come up with concrete solutions to address the problems of the poor.

Truth be told, it is not just the government-run health care centers or hospitals in Orrisa that function in this way; it is a common problem in the entire country.

Sir, In a rare act of humanity, the return of Geeta, the mute and deaf Indian girl, is a welcome step forward in bilateral ties between India and Pakistan. Geeta had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan in 2003 and stayed there for more than decade under the care of Edhi Foundation, a charity organization in Karachi, that also led a campaign for her return to India.

In fact, India and Pakistan should also show a greater humanitarian approach towards other such innocents who have inadvertently crossed borders, like fishermen.

The return of Geeta, the mute and deaf Indian girl, from Pakistan after 13 years is a proof that there is no dearth of good human beings in the world. This shows that people on both sides of the border love and respect each other. The governments in India and Pakistan should also try to respect such humanitarian gestures and make efforts to boost bilateral ties.

The Geeta episode appears to be part of some Bollywood flick. She had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan in 2003. She was taken care of by Pakistan’s largest welfare organization, Edhi Foundation. The organization led a campaign to ensure her return to India.

Our politicians should realize that the common men on both sides want to live in peace and harmony. They should also try to change their approach toward each other and work for the collective good of the region.

The return of Geeta, the mute and deaf Indian girl from Pakistan to India is a welcome step in improving bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.

Now both India and Pakistan should show more humanitarian approach towards the innocent fishermen, who are languishing in jails. The fishermen too inadvertently go into each other's boundaries as sea borders cannot be marked.

Sir - The return of the deaf and mute girl, Geeta, to India after having lived in Pakistan for many years is a positive step in the strengthening of bilateral relations between the neighbouring countries ("Joust for credit as Geeta comes home", Oct 27). Geeta had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan aboard the Samjhauta Express in 2003. She could not recall where she was from. She lived under the care of the Edhi foundation for more than a decade. The foundation also rallied for Geeta's return to India. A makeshift temple was constructed for Geeta at her home in Pakistan. It was a rare gesture of kindness and humanity.

Geeta was unable to recognize the couple who claimed to be her parents. One hopes that she is reunited with her family. The Central government has arranged for Geeta to be placed at a suitable institution till her family is traced. India and Pakistan should also look into the cause of fishermen who inadvertently cross the border - it is difficult to identify borders while out at sea - and are now imprisoned in the two countries.

Dear Sir,The return home of an Indian woman who was living in Pakistan for years after accidentally crossing the border is a welcome step in the relations between the two neighbouring countries. Geeta, the speech- and hearing-impaired woman, could not remember or explain exactly where she was from India and stayed in Pakistan for more than a decade under the care of the leading welfare organisation, Edhi Foundation.

It has the making of a fairy tale.

Her plight was highlighted by the media in India and Pakistan after the July release of a Bollywood film, Bajrangi Bhaijan. In the film, Salman Khan, one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, overcomes all odds to reunite a mute girl with her family in Pakistan after she was separated from them during a trip to India.

After arriving in Delhi, Geeta told officials that she did not recognize the family she thought was hers.

It is hoped that efforts will continue so that she will be united with her family and live a peaceful life with her parents and relatives. Such gestures should be the right move to improve relations between the two countries, Both India and Pakistan should now show a more humanitarian approach towards many fishermen who are languishing in each other’s jails after crossing the boundaries inadvertently while pursuing their profession.

Sir — The release of 151 Indian prisoners detained in Pakistani jails before the visit of Pakistan’s prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, to Delhi to attend Narendra Modi’s swearing-in was a right decision at the right time. Before this, a Sri Lankan court had ordered the release of 116 fishermen from Tamil Nadu.

Most of the prisoners who were released are fishermen from this side of the border who inadvertently trespass into other countries’ territorial waters. As sea borders cannot be properly earmarked, these men cannot find out when they are trespassing. They end up being captured by the marine police and remain in jail for an indefinite period. As a gesture of goodwill, the governments of India and Pakistan periodically release some of these fishermen. But neither side has ever emptied its jails of the detained fisher folk.

Marine borders are a much debated issue even globally. As such, the problem of these straying fisher folk is never going to go away. At the same time, the neighbouring countries have the means of resolving the issue. Whenever the men stray into hostile territory, they should be sent back home immediately on purely humanitarian grounds. Nothing is gained by the respective governments by holding them in jail. But their families have much to lose as these fishermen are usually very poor people. The families suffer when the earning member is jailed for an indefinite time for no conscious crime.

We must thank the Pakistani rights activist, Ansar Burney, for working tirelessly in getting the seamen released from the captivity of Somali pirates.

These seamen did not only belong to Pakistan but hailed from India, Egypt and Sri Lanka. Burney even managed to arrange $2.1 million in ransom money from various philanthropists.

When India and Pakistan are not on the best of terms, there are on both sides of the border some great souls like Burney still who work only and only for humanity.

May God give him more courage and good health to take such humanitarian missions in future and continue extending help to people in distress.

We should not forget it is because of Burney’s efforts that many prisoners in India and Pakistani jails were released. He even arranges meetings for families of Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails.

Unfortunately, no rich Indian businessmen in India and in Gulf who feel proud to be listed among Forbes magazine came forward to help these people in distress.

In fact, these people’s families had given up hopes that their dear ones’ will ever come back safe due to the very high ransom demanded by Somali pirates who have become a law into themselves.

Ansar Burney should be considered for this year’s Magsaysay award or even the Nobel Peace prize. This will give him more encouragement to carry on such humanitarian missions.

We must thank Pakistani rights activist Ansar Burney for working tirelessly in getting released the seamen captured by Somali pirates.

The seamen were from Pakistan, India, Egypt and Sri Lanka. Burney even arranged to raise the $2.1 million ransom money from various philanthropists. India and Pakistan may not be on best of terms but it is heartening to learn that there are people like Burney in Pakistan who place humanity above considerations of nationality and religion when it comes to helping human beings.

But unfortunately no rich Indian businessman in India or the Gulf came forward to help these people in distress. In fact the family members of Indian captives had given up all hopes of their men ever returning home due to the very high ransom demanded by Somali pirates. May God give Burney more courage and good health so can undertake more and more humanitarian missions.

We should not forget that it was due to Burney’s efforts that many prisoners languishing in jails in India and Pakistani were released. He even arranges meetings between Indian prisoners in Pakistan jails and their family members.

I hope the world community would honor people like Ansar Burney in a befitting manner.

The death of 19-years-old Manipuri student, Richard Loitam, has sparked outrage not only in Bangalore but also in other parts of the country. A large number of students from the Northeast have cut across regional and language barriers, and yesterday, gathered in front of Bangalore’s Mayo Hall and at Jantar Mantra in Delhi demanding an independent and fair probe into his death; asserting that police officials are reluctant about taking appropriate action against the perpetrators. A Facebook group, justice for Loitam Richard, has also beet created.

A large population of Northeast students has made this city their home. Police commissioner Jyothi Prakash Mirji should hand over the details of this case to a investigation team in a bid to deliver justice to this community and Loitam 's be resaved.

Sir - Recently, Kashmir was on the boil again ("Ordinary lives", April 20). First, there was the unrest at the National Institute of Technology in Srinagar. Then came the protests following the alleged molestation of a schoolgirl by a jawan in Handwara. Five civilians, including a budding cricketer, have died in the firing on protesters by security personnel.

The army has repeatedly faced charges of violating human rights while dealing with protesters in Kashmir. The time has come to revisit the 'standard operating procedure' of dealing with protests. Firing at civilians is unacceptable; we should not give separatist elements any opportunity to spoil the chances of peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

Gruesome killing of a man in Alwar district in India's Rajasthan,state by group of people who accused him of Cow smuggling has sent shock waves among those who dream of secular and equitable India,It is a horrific and unfortunate incident which should be condemned nation wide.

I have always been a proud Indian,who believes that country's strength lies in diversity and acceptance of different culture,lynching need to be end before it gets out of control.

NGO's,the media and other social organisation,should start an awareness campaign to end this menace.

Sir, Apropos the editorial "Army must own up its excesses" (DH, Apr 18). The last week has seen a fresh wave of protests and unrest in Kashmir in the wake of alleged molestation of a school girl by security forces and killing of five civilians in Handwara. Such violent protests are similar to many previous ones when the Army was charged with misconduct, strong use of force on civilians and human rights violations.

The time has come to revisit the present Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to deal with such violence which are nothing but law and order situations.