He knows not what he says

Apropos of T.V.R. Shenoy’s article ‘The Daniel Pearl Mystery’ (IE, February 14) and your editorial, ‘Crying wolf in Washington’ (IE, February 15), the Pakistani leadership appears to be suffering from schizophrenia. Accusing India of masterminding the attack on its Parliament and hinting at India’s hand in Daniel Pearl’s kidnapping in Pakistan only substantiate this.

I think after he handed over all his authority and initiatives to Sam Saheb, the general has lost his sense of balance too. Imagine a nuclear test conducted by India and no one knows about it except the general!

Your editorial says, General Musharraf must have had a bad dream the night before he spoke in Washington. Its quite possible he did not have even the proverbial 40 winks. I think India should forgive the general. He knows not what he is saying.
— R.K. MALHOTRA
New Delhi

Get serious

Most of the illegal encroachment in Delhi took place during Congress rule. Now when the BJP is demolishing the same, the former party is raising such a hue and cry. All parties, be it the Congress or the BJP, must be sincere on public issues. Else we will only dream of a cleaner and greener Delhi.
— C.L. GULATI
On e-mail

No chill pill

Apropos of the report ‘Pop a pill or two to sleep well: Youths take the easy way out out’ (IE, February 14). Peer pressure, anxiety and a modern life style is the triad responsible for sleep disorders. Easy availability of sedatives and tranquilisers and the rampant habit of self-medication further compound the problem. The result is drug dependence. These are prescription-drugs, and should only be available on a doctor’s prescription.

The report gives an impression that the drug zolpidem (Ambiz) is a safe agent compared to the benzodiazepines (reported to cause drug dependence on prolonged use). This could give a wrong signal to the lay reader.

In fact, zolpidem, which is a non-benzodiazepine, has some advantages over the benzodiazepines. It has minimal effects on sleep stages, lacks withdrawal effects, there is minimal rebound insomnia and tolerance. But lately it has been shown that it acts via the omega 1 subtype benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, and is very likely to produce tolerance and drug dependence.

Moreover its dreaded side effects are nightmares, agitation, and severe headaches. It also causes daytime drowsiness, and rarely memory loss. Only time would prove the safety and efficacy of zolpidem in the treatment of sleep disorders. To avoid misuse, self-medication should be checked by strict control on the over-the-counter availability of these agents.
— F.S.K. BARAR
On e-mail

Spreading terror

I AM a Hindu and I am sure millions of other Hindus will agree with me when I say that organisations like RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena are not worthy of being spokespersons of ordinary, decent Hindus and true Hinduism. These are dangerous organisations trying to spread the scourge of ‘communal terrorism’.

Tearing down places of worship, burning down hospitals, digging up cricket pitches, attacking minorities, harassing common people etc. are not the norms of patriotism. What are the law-makers and law upholders of India doing to stop this thuggery and hooliganism?
— SHANTA NAIR
On e-mail

Ganguly’s our man

I THINK, for once, the Indian selectors deserve a lot of praise for retaining Ganguly as captain. This proves they are ready to look beyond temporary aberrations and think long-term instead of chop-and-change based on fickle public opinion.
— C. KRISHNA
On e-mail