Indo-Pak war no option to peace in South Asia: Tourist from Austria

JAMMU, JAN 28: If the Indo-Pak war happens there would be only bloodshed and killings while the militants will run away to hide in mountains and later came down and strike in the cities killing innocents which will result in damage and destruction only as happening in Iraq and Afghanistan after the US invasion and air strikes.

This was stated by a tourist from Austria Gernot Katzer, while talking to this reporter on Wednesday evening.

According to Gernot, the only solution to end the menace of terrorism which has been claiming many precious lives in India and other countries throughout the world is development and making people self sufficient and rich.  He mentioned that India’s neighbouring country Pakistan is major threat not for India only but to entire South Asia.  United States and European Union (EU) can play a vital role in fighting against the terrorism and defeat the plans of terrorists by aiding economic development.

According to Gernot, some forces in Pakistan who believe in fundamentalism and exclusive version or interpretation of Islam or unlikely to accept peace to India, can never digest peace in India.

For Pakistan it is difficult to control these militant forces because the government there is weak holding no effective power over militant areas and tribal belts in the country.

On the other hand, for India, the main hope lies in economic improvements in Pakistan which will drain militant sources of young men, who see no future now and are thus easily trapped and fall pray to the militant’s propaganda.

India, America and EU can help in developing the Pakistan and its people as the economy and the social setup in Pakistan has damaged and needs improvement and development.

The people running after terrorism can be motivated to start living in a comfortable way shunning the violence and bloodshed.

“Developed people like to live and terrorists like to die”, Gernot mentioned and added that poverty has become the necessary requirement for the people to abandon their life for the militant’s cause. 

Living at GASWERKSTRASSE 17-8020 Graz-Austria, Gernot is a chemist by profession and after about 8 years in chemical research at university level, he decided to make a break and travel to eastern countries and India.

Earlier in 1995 he has visited Kashmir and other north Indian states like UP Rajasthan, Gujarat and Assam.

Gernot said that his favorite travelling country is India for which he mentioned the traditional culture and loving people as key reason which attracts millions of tourists from across the globe. Indian cooking is another attraction for the foreigners which make travelling a unique experience.

Gernot has written a book about spices and cooking making a special mention of Indian cooking methods and spices usage. He also runs a webpage on the issue: – www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/

The future plans of 40 year old unmarried Gernot are to travel maximum parts of India and catch the ancient, heritages buildings and the spirit of Indian culture in his camera. Afterward he will return to his country and restart his research work.