[Reader-list] "Aman Ki Asha" - A Foolish Asha?

[Rakesh Iyer]

Dear Malik Jee

I don't know if we have yet arrived at the stage where it's hoping against
hope for the Indian state to assume that no peace is possible with Pakistan
state. But yes, if things continue in this direction, we will soon arrive
there. Personally, I don't believe anything will change in my lifetime, but
then sometimes I too like to be proven wrong. And the peace process which
did start in 2003-04 with the Indian cricket team visiting Pakistan and
Vajpayee announcing it in Kashmir, could not have been imagined after Kargil
and the Parliament attack.

The only thing I would add on to is this: hope for the best, prepare for the
worst. Indian state and Indian citizens should seriously prepare for the
worst expecting that peace is not possible in the next 40-50 years and plan
accordingly to avoid terror attacks, strengthen counter-terror mechanisms,
ensure less and less of injustice in the country and also ensure
administrative, police and judicial reforms for betterment of conditions.

Rakesh