ATTEMPT TO ISOLATE PAK HASN’T YIELDED DIVIDENDS

With reference to your October 20 editorial “Few share India’s view on Terror”, the so-called diplomatic means to shame and isolate Pakistan have not yielded much dividends.

With this, the chestthumping on isolating Pakistan turned out to be a myth. The latest setback to India’s efforts to isolate Pakistan was given by Myanmar’s de-facto state head Aung san Suu Kyi’s rebuff to the idea of isolating Pakistan on the issue. The BRICS summit declaration was very disappointing for India as there was no direct reference to Pakistan. Inflicting diplomatic and economic costs on Pakistan does not appear to be of much consequence. stand up to the Maharashra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders who threatened to vandalise theatres that dared to screen his film ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’. Now, he is trying to make peace with them by promising not to cast Pakistan artistes in his films in future. This exposes the ugly crass capitalist face of Johar. But he alone should not be blamed for the surrender. We all are responsible for this as we are afraid to stand up and be counted in his support. It is indeed disturbing that the biggest democracy in the world cannot ostracise bullies by exposing their jingoism. it is bound to further deteriorate health services in state-run institutions besides putting an extra burden on the state exchequer. The government move to make up for the shortage of doctors by benefitting the old guard and simultaneously denying job opportunity to young doctors is unjustified. If nonavailability of fresh MBBS doctors is considered true, the state can utilise the services of the BAMS doctors, who are equally competent to take care of general outpatient departments (OPDs). . environment and it should be taken to task for irresponsible behaviour. In today’s materialistic world, people have learnt the art of making money from the pain of fellow human beings. Doctors have turned into agents of their managements in the process. A profession once considered noble is fast losing its nobility. As usual, the Prime Minister, Union health minister and Odisha chief minister have expressed anguish. We all must make efforts so that such incidents do not recur. before fire safety and rescue measures are taken seriously? What is needed is an uncompromising commitment to safety. Hospitals need to ensure structural, nonstructural and functional safety. By nature, hospitals are ‘centres of cure’ and not prevention. In case of fire safety, there isn’t even a cure.