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THE TRIBUNE
CHANDIGARH | SATURDAY | 2 JUNE 2018 OPED 11

The borders are quiet, but for how long?

A workable beginning is to hold DGMO-level talks to consolidate the ceasefire and take it to agreed rules of engagement.
Lt-Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) Pakistan could not have sustained an be in the domain of infiltration.
escalated battle of attrition with India in Third, it should display a will to bring to

I
NDIA and Pakistan have decided to go
back to the 2003 unwritten announce-
ment of the ceasefire at the Line of Con-
trol (LoC) and abide by it. The LoC
between India and Pakistan and the Inter-
national Border (IB) in Jammu & Kashmir
are witnessing peace after a long time,
although a major part was not afflicted by
the ceasefire violations. The Siachen and
Kargil sectors have been quiet for as long as
one can remember in the last 15 years. The
LoC in the Kashmir segment too, although
continuing to witness efforts at infiltration,
has seen only limited violations.
It is primarily in the areas of the LoC and
the IB south of the Pir Panjal range that
exchanges of fire had become a norm and
many reasons can be ascribed to that. With
the guns now silent, there are still misgiv-
ings among many in India as there were in
the case of the decision to bring about a
Ramzan-based cessation of operations in
the hinterland, now in place for a little over
two weeks. Their perception has to be
respected too because of historical back-
stabbing by Pakistan. Yet, a case for peace
needs to be made and supported to amelio-
rate the privations of the border people in
the Jammu region. It will also allow stabil-
isation of the hinterland to calm the envi-
ronment and reduce the vitriol which is
always associated with ongoing violence.
There is need to examine the ceasefire
and the cessation of operations in tandem
with each other. The latter because of the
latest very authoritative report by an intel-
ligence agency which reveals that in the
last three years, for every local terrorist
neutralised in Kashmir, two have been pro-
duced through local recruitment from the
LoC and IB exchanges. Yet, it had to dis-
play bravado at the IB as it did at the end.
That could have backfired badly had
India decided not to accept the ceasefire
and in fact escalate the exchanges.
Those monitoring Pakistan's internal sit-
uation in the run-up to the elections in July
2018 would have sensed that ground was
slowly being yielded. The Bajwa Doctrine
was couched in vagueness to give the bro-
kering for peace a semblance of dignity.
Back channel talks were in place and the
suspended Neemrana Dialogue was
brought to life. The National Security
Advisers (NSAs) of both countries appear
to have been in touch more than the report-
ed number of times, and for good measure.
The Indian decision on cessation of opera-
tions in the hinterland did not receive a bat-
FOR BORDER TRUCE: Soldiers patrol near the LoC. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MOHAMMAD AMIN WAR (FILE) tering in Pakistani strategic circles as is the
practice for most internal initiatives.
vicinity of the area to which that terrorist implementation of ceasefire at the LoC A ceasefire at the LoC was on the cards.
belonged. The question most Indians are and IB? If the 2003 ceasefire could partial- Pakistan will want this to be converted
asking - how far and for how long can Pak- ly succeed without any written agreement, into a serious political dialogue and its
istan be trusted, especially since the can the latest be expected to last some time diplomacy will aim at projecting itself as
announcement by the two DGMOs of India to allow peace initiatives to take shape? the promoter and initiator of peace. How-
and Pakistan makes no mention of Pak- India needs to be clear that Pakistan's ever, with the bitter record of Pakistan's
istan's intent or otherwise of not allowing initiative (as it is being reported) is not out past deceit, the Indian government
its territory to be used for targeting India? of a newfound neighbourly love but borne would be at odds to reinitiate anything at
In as complex an issue as J&K and there out of compulsions. The compulsions are the political level unless certain condi-
is no gain trying to seek perfect solutions. many; they include the upcoming Finan- tions are met; it will take a fair amount of
There will be many imperfect proposals cial Action Task Force (FATF) review, time to create those conditions.
which will need to be progressively con- grey-listing of Pakistan to see whether it First, Pakistan's internal polity has to be
verted to workable and acceptable ones. has fulfilled obligations to prevent terror outside the ambit of uncertainty; not before
The trust deficit with Pakistan is so huge financing, the precarious condition of its late July 2018 will that happen, if at all.
that, perhaps, a couple of generations with economy which has forced devaluation of Second, Pakistan has to come clean on
prevailing normalcy will probably lead to the Pakistan currency and borrowing of its support to terrorism by demonstrat-
any restoration. In this imperfect environ- $1 billion from China to bolster its forex ing a will to curb India-focused terror
ment can India and Pakistan hope to reserve which has fallen from $18 billion related activities on its soil or in PoK. An
restore some peace with steps such as to $10.5 billion. Given its financial stress, indicator of any seriousness in this will
book those involved with the Mumbai
terror attack of 26/11. This has become a
sticking point, but with recent admis-
sions of former Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif, it is a futile course which Pakistan
has followed, defending the indefensible.
India, as always, will be prepared to meet
Pakistan more than half way provided
there is sincerity displayed.
Thus, any vision of an immediate com-
mencement of dialogue can only be pre-
mature, but the build-up towards that
direction can be ensured, provided J&K
remains relatively free of violence.
A workable start point is to hold DGMO
talks with a proper agenda either in New
Delhi or Islamabad. These should be
used to flesh out the ceasefire and take it
to mutually agreed rules of engagement
and installation of such measures which
will build confidence and trust. Lower-
level communication links across the
LoC in identified areas can help in put-
ting a lid on potentially explosive situa-
tions through local contacts.
However, given the history of mistrust,
India should remain circumspect and con-
tinue all work at the LoC and IB to amelio-
rate the problems of the locally afflicted
people. A constitutional body tasked with
the welfare of border communities in con-
flict-ridden zones could be a way towards
giving continuity to efforts. Construction
of family bunkers was also undertaken in
2003, but the then ceasefire effectively led
to the shelving of the project. National
security cannot be mired in personal and
political interests. Everything there has a
long-term perspective, with little catering
to a moment in time.

Farm conundrum: Return to basics merited

Gunbir Singh pose waste into manure, pollinate and ter, who has shaken his head in refusal. his additional effort. Bonds between eth-
Chairperson, WWF (Punjab) assist plant procreation. They are all but Hands folded, he goes back to the Shy- ical cultivators and consumers are being
vanquished. locks to adjust all that they can and come created, and must be encouraged by

P
UNJAB was the frontline state
which took the burden of food
security for the nation when it
needed it most upon Indepen-
dence. Today, it has been all but snubbed
by the Niti Aayog. The Aayog curtly told
the state to stop worrying about food
security of the country, and do what it
could for its dwindling farm economy.
This was as much a rude shock as it was
a reality check for a state that prided
itself for its untiring contribution. By
now, India has ample rainfed states ideal-
ly suited for the thirsty paddy crop as
well as many which are proficient in
wheat and other staples.
However, this puts Punjab in a tricky
predicament. It has already sacrificed
its ecology to the so-called progressive
NEEDED: A golden harvest. TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH (FILE) farming advocated by the Green Revo-
lution. The state must decide its future
There is need to course of action quickly. And that too
rekindle the pride of with coffers empty.
the farmer as well as The Punjab farmer’s plight
The farmer is at the receiving end. His
increase his income. productivity has stagnated, his land area
This can happen only is limited, the returns on inputs (forget
investment) have dwindled. Deeply in
if we make the change debt, he has even stopped looking for
to natural inputs. Go answers, and all but resigned to fate.
Alas, the increasing barrage of chemi-
for chemical curbs, cals every passing year wipes out farm-
native seeds and friendly beings, bacteria, fungi and
insects that assist aeration of roots,
water savings. enrich soil with body proteins, decom-
Systemic inputs invade the molecule of
the plant itself, making it inedible for the
pest. With ample life cycles, these stay
potent and toxigenic even to the point
when ingested by us all, to the detriment
of our health. And not to be forgotten are
the seeds, genetically modified rather
than the native tried and tested.
Who is to advise restraint when all the
cogs in the wheels of this well-oiled
machine stand to gain? The lobbyists,
state revenue insurers, tax collectors,
traders.
Just look at the marginalised farmer’s
plight. He buys the seed he can get on
credit. He uses whatever is advised by
this master, whose sole endeavour is to
sell what yields him the most margins.
The farmer does not even question the
price that he pays, since it is what is on
offer to him without cash, to be adjusted
for when the harvest is reaped. He coax-
es his progeny for help in tilling the land.
Seeing no visible returns, they make him
sell a piece of his beloved land to help
them walk to greener pastures else-
where. He sows and waters and prays.
Rain, hail and storm, pest fungus and
locust, thieves and land sharks, he
spends sleepless nights to watch the
sapling grow. And then he reaps his pro-
duce, only to get a dime rather than the
dollar. The prices have crashed, and there
is more supply than demand. Sore and
saddened, he ploughs the crop back, or
dumps it on the road, back from the mas-
away with seeds, chemicals and a mount-
ed debt till the next harvest.
And then there is the Big Pharma, the
main reapers of the farm economy,
churning research for gain, in the name
of scientific betterment of the peasantry.
They modify genomes to make resistant
crops, they churn out systemics and
super chemicals that fight superbugs
and pests, they pester the tiller to con-
sume more of stronger, more toxic
inputs, with promises of prosperity. Alas,
the sunk are given twigs to swim with,
and nothing really changes for them.
They watch their health failing, they
see their kith and kin suffer. They know
the water is all but finished, they witness
the contamination of the elements, they
see the climate change; they know the
promises are hollow. The farmer sends
his children to the city for work or to
unsure shores overseas. Those that do
not fall to disease, take to the bottle or the
white stuff, or consume chemicals. Pes-
simistic? Perhaps yes, but do take a walk
through the farms of Punjab, and see if
there is room for joy.
The way out
There is need for rekindling the pride of
the farmer as well as his income sources.
This can happen only if we make the
change to natural inputs. Natural pro-
duce when put right before the consumer
is well appreciated. The farmer takes joy
in explaining his methodology as well as
debunking archaic laws that restrain
direct interaction, and encourage mid-
dlemen to reap the margins. Families are
motivated to add value, to produce and
package, process and embellish. In a cou-
ple of years, farmers have begun packing
units, expanded organic acreage, wives
are baking cookies, brands of jaggery
emerging, and more preservative-free
fruit preserving being showcased.
The solutions are thus not impossible,
nor are they needed to be imported, they
are within our scope, within sight of us
all. Let Sikkim be our model and the
goal, let Denmark show Punjab the way.
Let's listen to the call of our own Subash
Palekars, who have advocated and show-
cased the intellect of evergreen natural
cultivation. States are going whole hog
for chemical curbs, native seeds and
water savings. The world has started
changing and it's best we do so too. The
soil needs succour and opportunity to
revive; water populism must be replaced
by thrift, and a shift from thirsty to native
cropping made. Nature must be given an
opportunity to show us the way.
The farmer thus must return to the
'kheti' of good karmas, in harmony with
nature. In his effort to do better, and in
deference to the then demands of a
nation in dire need for more, kirt di kheti
(farming by good intention and fair
effort) was all but forgotten. It is time that
a complete rethink is done and joy
returns to this land.

on this day... 100 years ago quick crossword su do ku forecast

YESTERDAY’S HARD SUNSET: SATURDAY 19:21 HRS
SOLUTION
SUNRISE: SUNDAY 05:20 HRS
Across
1 Whimper, 5
8 9
Lahore, Sunday, June 2, 1918.

Storage of Wheat.
Basis, 8
Untrustworthy, 9 5 7 3 4 Sunny Partly Cloudy Cloudy
CITY MAX
Rainy
MIN
Foggy

Dunce, 10 Extinct,
NEXT to the United States of America, India probably ranks as the
largest wheat-producing country, the production of this grain in
11 Gaiety, 12
Gather, 15
6 9 5 Chandigarh 41
New Delhi 42
30
29
PUNJAB
Russia having diminished considerably since the war. Yet the eleva- Amnesia, 17 Defoe,
tor storage system, which exists in almost all wheat-growing coun- 19 Hole-and-
corner, 20 Crypt,
5 2 Amritsar 42 27
tries in the West, is scarcely known in India. The first Indian eleva- Bathinda 45 26
tor, having a capacity of 5,000 tons of grain, is now being constructed
at Lyallpur, but this facility owing to its location will be for the ben-
21 Mastery.
1 4 6 8 Jalandhar
Ludhiana
43
43
28
26
Down
efit of wheat merchants not of co-operative banks or wheat cultiva-
tors particularly, who will still be in need of some safe and facile
1 Wound, 2
Intentionally, 3
3 4 Patiala
HARYANA
41 29

means of storage. What the latter require are inexpensive godowns Prudent, 4 Rather, Ambala 40 28
protected from the attacks of weevil during the damp months and 5 Boost, 6 Sit on
the fence, 7
4 1 9 Bhiwani 44 29
secured against all other kinds of risk. The Agricultural Engineer to Hisar 45 29
the local Government is devising model godowns, and we trust that
he will help to solve this difficulty as economically as possible.
Shyster, 11
Graphic, 13 8 1 9 7 Karnal
Sirsa
40
45
28
29
Arduous, 14 HIMACHAL PRADESH
Cautious Lines. Tandem, 16 Slant,
18 Early.
2 8 Dharamsala 33 22
THE Anglo-Indian Press is never happy unless it can so whittle down Manali 24 09
any proposed reforms as to make them cease to be reforms. This is
the game in which certain Anglo-Indian journals are now engaged in
Yesterday’s solution calendar Nahan 35 23
ACROSS 20 An equestrian (5) 5 Lessening of intensity (3-2) Shimla 27 17
respect of the policy on local self-government just enunciated by the 6 9 7 2 4 3 1 5 8 June 2, 2018 Saturday
Solan 33 19
1 To resolve (6) 22 Became ice (5) 6 Advice (7) ■ Vikrami Samvat 2075
Government of India. We have already dwelt upon its merits and 4 Hackneyed expression (6) 23 By one's own efforts (7) 7 Consider (6) 5 2 4 9 1 8 7 3 6 ■ Shaka Samvat 1940 JAMMU & KASHMIR
defects and have shown that it falls far short of what the situation 9 Composer of The Four 24 Probable (6) 8 Destroy at early stage (3,2,3,3) 3 1 8 6 7 5 9 4 2 ■ Jyeshtha Shaka 12 Jammu 42 29
■ Jyeshtha Parvishte 20
demands and the country has been expecting. The same views have 7 5 6 3 9 4 2 8 1 Hijari 1439 Leh 26 10
Seasons (7) 25 Remain attached (6) 14 Interconnected system (7) ■
been expressed by every other Indian paper that counts. But even the 2 8 3 5 6 1 4 9 7 ■ Krishan Paksha Tithi 4, Srinagar 32 13
inadequate reforms promised in the resolution are too much for the
10 Jeer at (5) 15 U.S. university (7) up to 4.18 am
9 4 1 8 2 7 3 6 5 Shukla Yog up to 7.54 pm UTTARAKHAND
Anglo-Indian journals. One of them asks the Government to insist 11 A concealed complication (5) DOWN 16 Wretched (6) ■
■ Purvashadha Nakshatra Dehradun 34 25
12 Deadlock (7) 1 Contrivance (6) 17 Old cause of quarrel (6) 4 3 2 7 5 6 8 1 9 up to 8.51 am
upon the evolution of suitable conditions for the creation of an ideal Moon enters Capricorn sign
Mussoorie 23 16
electorate as a condition precedent to the grant of reforms. 13 Concisely expressed (2,1,8) 2 Wish for eagerly (5) 19 Perfect (5) 8 6 9 1 3 2 5 7 4 ■
at 3.37 pm Nainital 25 16
18 Abnormally large (7) 3 A marine mammal (7) 21 Evade (5) 1 7 5 4 8 9 6 2 3 ■ Shri Ganesh Chaturthi Vart TEMPERATURE IN OC