The US is trying to prop up India as a regional policeman a role which India has taken on fondly, fully convinced that it has the potential and capabilities to acquire such a position. To pursue this goal, it is starving essential sectors of funds which it is diverting to its arms purchasing spree. The poor country has plans to purchase 100 billion dollars worth of sophisticated armament over the next decade. In addition to the above measures, India is boosting production of missiles and other weapons, alone as well as in collaboration with the US, Israel and others. That is not all. As reported in The Nation on April 11, India has just embarked on an ambitious programme to develop its own stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicles, capable of hitting enemy targets with precision. It has already allocated US dollars 10 million as seed money and has appointed a team of 15 to 18 scientists that has begun work on preliminary design and technology. Capable of flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet, these stealth drones will have on-board mission computers, data links, fire control radars, identification of friend and foe, traffic collision avoidance systems and will carry and fire missiles, bombs and precision-guided munitions. While our not-so-friendly neighbours India and Afghanistan are busy building up their strength, we are dissipating whatever little energy we have on fighting amongst ourselves on self-created problems for which we seem to have great talent. Grave problems which could tear the country apart do not bother us at all and seem unworthy of our interest and attention. God help us. S.R.H. Hashmi Karachi Overhead bridge, bus stop needed The Sindhi Jamaat Housing Society is situated at Main National Highway (Bin Qasim Town, near JogiMorr), Karachi. There is always unending and heavy traffic around the clock in front of Sindhi Jamaat on Main National Highway both sides. Since there is a dangerous curve on the highway near Sindhi Jamaat generally known as JogiMorr, the speedy and heavy traffic near the turn has made the lives of residents of Sindhi Jamaat and adjoining areas miserable while crossing the busy highway. Sometime back, two people, one man and one woman died in accidents during crossing. Further, there are hotels alongside the Main National Highway at Sindhi Jamaat where a large number of big trucks are seen standing almost all the times hindering the traffic. On the other hand, the residents of Sindhi Jamaat feel difficult to catch the Quaidabad-bound transport while waiting at bus stop as they cannot easily see the approaching speedy traffic due to standing trucks as well as big curve (Morr) on the Highway particularly during the nights in absence of street lights there. Overhead bridge at Sindhi Jamaat (Main National Highway) is badly needed for pedestrians particularly of women, school going children, sick people and senior citizens enabling them to cross the road safely. Besides this, proper bus stops with sheds for waiting passengers on both sides of Highway at Sindhi Jamaat, is also must. Will CDGK, Sindh Govt and other concerned quarters take notice of this menace and help the residents of the area by constructing overhead bridge and bus stops at Sindhi Jamaat without further delay? MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL, Karachi First aid boxes There used to be a time when the First Aid Box used to be essential part of every house to take care of any unfortunate accident. The first aid was administered by the family members thus filling a vacuum between the time taken for the individual to reach the hospital. Because of lack of education and requisite training at the educational institutions, this practice has somehow been done away with without realizing its importance. We grew up with a compulsory training imparted every year to ensure that each individual has the basic understanding of how to help someone in case of an emergency. The First Aid Box consisted of pain re-leavers, thermometer, medications for well known ailments, sterile saline, gauze swabs, fabric, water-proof plasters, dressings, adhesive tape, bandages, antiseptic cream/lotion, disposable gloves, tweezers, scissor, safety pins, cotton buds, cling film etc. Treatment at the right time can save someones life; the point need to be understood by all. Dr.IrfanZafar A versatile comedian Renowned veteran artiste Murtaza Hassan (Mastana) died in Bahwalpur Victoria Hospital fighting Hepatitis-C. Mastana was versatile comedian and worked for more than 30 years on stage. During his illness, family of ailing actor had appealed Prime Minister and Punjab Chief Minister for help but to no avail. It is an irony of fate that most of our artists suffer financial crunch during later part of their age, the reason is obvious, they neither have any social security cover nor health insurance. Government attitude is also indifferent to these hapless people who toil throughout life to bring smiles to others. Another itchy statement came from The Commercial Theatre Association to close all theatre activity on Monday night to show reverence to that late artiste. It would have been in the fitness of things, had said association announced that all the income from one night would be given to the bereaved family. Our approach must be positive and constructive. Only mourning will not fill empty bellies. Similarly artists should look forward to establish some social security fund as well as contribute to insurance schemes for rainy days. IFTIKHAR SHAHEEN MIRZA Islamabad The noble profession As many as 300 patients breathed their last in Lahores hospitals owing to doctors strike that lasted for more than forty long days. The dead are beyond recall and the damage beyond repair. None else but the doctors alone are responsible for the deaths of helpless patients. Ironically, the doctors who are called the saviours became savage when they declined to attend the patients in emergency even. They even did not see the persons who were removed to the emergency after ghastly accidents with broken arms and legs and they were drenched with blood to their broken bones. For the kind information of those who still sympathise with the doctors, it is worth mentioning here that the doctors strike was against Emergency Services Ordinance 2002 besides being immoral and illegitimate. On the one hand the government is anxious to remove the stigma of murder on Zulfikar Ali Bhutto after 32 long years through a reference in the apex court but has conveniently ignored the murders the doctors have committed. I am afraid if ever in future the doctors will have certain demands, will they again resort to such apathy that claimed 300 lives of the poor wretched patients. Will the doctors again metamorphose into savage from saviours? MUBUSHAR ALI SULEHRIA, Wah Cantt.