Onions and the poor man

  It is disheartening to note that the onions, which were considered the poor man's commodity in the past, have become a rare thing today. It is being sold at an unthinkable rate of Rs 40 per kg in some cities. This is the result of an artificial scarcity. It is definitely the handiwork of black-marketers and hoarders in connivance with politicians, who are seen in the poor man's dress — Khadi kurta - payjama and tirchhi topi.

No government agency is preventing this open loot. Why should they? Nobody is bothered about the interests of cultivators or consumers.

Is there any solution? Yes, there is. It is possible through a strong consumer resistance movement.

SAIN DASS BHALLA
Chandigarh

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All over Article 356

Apropos of the editorial "An unwanted debate" (Sept 30), I want to say that political parties have tried to create a mess as far as the Bihar episode and use of Article 356 are concerned. Some parties are feeling hurt by the return of events. The BJP and the Samata Party feel that if the Congress has taken the advantage of this Article, they should have also been allowed to do so. Now they want a debate on the use of Article 356 only for a cover-up.

The Akalis want scrapping of this Article on the grounds that they have been victims of it many times. The fault lies not in the Article but in the habit of politicians who want to use it for selfish and partisan ends. The President is right and has set an example by sending back the recommendations of the Union Cabinet in cases of UP and Bihar.

Had the President accepted these even in the case of Bihar, there would have been chaos at the Centre and violent disturbances in Bihar. Politicians of Bihar are known for using their muscle power.

RAJESH MINHAS
Chandigarh

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Tourism promotion

This is with reference to an advertisement dated September 25, 1998, under the heading "Chandigarh the City Beautiful celebrates World Tourism Day", and a news-item published on September 26, “Tourism Day celebrations".

However, neither the Chandigarh Administration's Director (Tourism) nor the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation had any special programme for welcoming foreign tourists on World Tourism Day — September 27. Is this how we want to promote tourism?

NARINDER SINGH
Chandigarh

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Roads in Patiala

The roads in the Model Town area in Patiala are in a pitiable condition. One cannot find even 1 sq. m of road without a pit — some of the pits deep enough to cause accidents. One has to drive as if it is a hurdle race on these roads.

No road has been repaired ever since the Akali government was installed. Earlier, at least some repair work used to be there although the material used was such that it used to get washed away in not more than two rains. However, in the same area, around a big officer's house, the road has been repaired 10 times a year.

Where is the concept of equality? Where are the tall promises?.

B. S. BAWA
Patiala

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Carpal tunnel

Apropos of the CTS observations in Health Tribune, I wish to say the following:Treating people who have carpal-tunnel syndrome with ultrasound waves may reduce the burning sensation and numbness in the wrist and fingers, according to the latest research done on the subject. Treatment with ultrasound pulses for seven weeks caused improvement or complete remission of symptoms in 68 per cent of the wrists treated, compared with only 38 per cent that were given a “sham” treatment.

If confirmed, the findings may offer a non-invasive treatment for the syndrome, according to Dr Gerold R. Ebenbichler and colleagues from the University of Vienna in Austria who reported his findings in BMJ recent issue.Carpal-tunnel syndrome — caused by compression of the median nerve, which traverses through the wrist on the thumb side of the hand — is caused by repetitive motion and produces pain in the hands as well as the arms and shoulders. It is currently treated with splints, steroid injections and surgery.

N. S. SAXENA
Faridabad

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Beware of inhalants

Everyday products such as spray paint, air freshner and cooking spray can turn deadly if their concentrated fumes are inhaled by kids looking for a quick high, a Texas researcher warns.

These products can be sprayed into cans and small plastic bags or onto clothing so that the concentrated vapours can be “huffed,” or breathed in through the mouth, said Dr Nancy Neff, at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

“Although inhalants rank fourth behind alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes in usage, they are the most dangerous with regard to risk of death in the short term,” she said.

“Sudden sniffing-death syndrome can occur in first-time huffers as well as in more experienced inhalant abusers, because the chemicals can unpredictably trigger irregular heart rhythms,” Ness warns.

Dr S. N. KHOSLA
Delhi

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Janata Accident Policy

This refers to the editorial “Insurance for pilgrims”. It is mentioned that the Janata Party government had even introduced a Janata Life Insurance Policy which provided a cover of Rs 10,000 (in 1977 it was a substantial amount) for an annual premium of only Rs 12 per person. How and why the scheme was abandoned is not known.

This is not correct. First of all, the policy was called “Janata Personal Accident Policy” and not Janata Life Insurance Policy. Even now this policy is available, and the premium is merely Rs 4.60. Nay, this policy can be had for 15 years for a consideration of Rs 39 only.

B. C. CHAWLA
Rohtak