M A I L B A G

President's Republic Day-eve plea for reservations

The editorial "President pleads for dalit uplift" (Jan 28) was clear, crisp and incisive. The President's address was lacklustre and far-removed from the ground situation. Dr K.R. Narayanan wants the reservation policy extended to the private sector. It is difficult to believe that the quota system will find acceptance in the private sector where profit is the dominant motive and excellence cannot be compromised.

The Bhopal declaration, which the President referred to, also wanted to extend the reservation policy to the judiciary and the defence forces at all levels. It's full of hazards. Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram recorded a note directing that no reservation should be made for the deprived classes in the fighting services. Wrote Babu Jagjivan Ram: "The enforced limits on recruitment by a quota system should not be receptable". Therefore, fit and able youth, irrespective of the area they come from, should be recruited by the sole criterion of merit.

In a book “Behind the Scene” by Maj-Gen Joginder Singh, a distinguished infantry man, there is an interesting foreword by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. I would like to quote a few of his concluding lines. Wrote the Field Marshal: "In the name of God, desist from such folly (reservation on the basis of castes and regions). Neither God nor future generations will forgive the perpetrators of such misplaced nationalism which will lead to destabilisation of the famous Indian Army. May perdition fall on the heads of the perpetrators of such a crime — a crime to the traditions of these famous regiments, a crime to the nation".

S. S. JAIN, Chandigarh

Thanks, PGI doctors

A few days ago my daughter, Isha, met with an accident and received multiple injuries in her face. We were referred to the PGI by the General Hospital, Sector 16. On reaching the emergency ward of the PGI Dr Farid, Dr Deepak, Dr Vaishali and Dr Rani promptly attended to her and provided all medical help from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. All these doctors are really the true representatives of God.

On seeing their behaviour and cooperation I may say that PGI doctors are more sinned against than sinning.

RAJ KUMAR SINGLA, Chandigarh

Baba Farid varsity

Despite a court direction on November 29, 2001, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences is yet to complete the admissions process to medical courses. The university does not seem to be concerned about the future of the students who run the risk of wasting one full year.

SANDEEP KUMAR, by e-mail

Health centre

The Community Health Centre (CHC) at Gagret, which caters to the needs of about 50,000 people of the area, has been in neglect ever since it was upgraded a few years ago. Let alone costly equipment infrastructure, even the requisite posts of medical and para-medical staff are yet to be filled.

The powers that be seem to understand only one language, the language of force — bandhs, dharnas and road-blockades. How sad!

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

Self-realisation

Apropos of D.R. Sharma's write-up "Having a dialogue with oneself," it would have been appreciated if he had recalled Kabir's golden words: "Bura jo dekhan mein challa, bura na milya koi, jo tan dekha apna, mujh se bura na koi".

BRIJ MOHAN SHARMA, Ambala

Power bills

To pay electricity bills, each customer has to wait for more than an hour in a queue. At many places, there are no shelters to protect customers from heat, cold or rain. The staff is hardly customer-friendly anywhere. The PSEB should introduce bill payments through banks.

H. B. SINGH, Jalandhar

Telephone calls

If you make a telephone call from Amritsar to Ludhiana or from Amritsar to Pathankot, it is charged at 30 second per unit even at non-peak hours. But a call made from Amritsar to Jammu, Udhampur, Hamirpur or Mandi during this time is measured @ 60 seconds per call. Why should a call made within Punjab cost more?

KAMAL SONI, Amritsar

Tailpiece

Q: Guess what does SAD stand for?

Ans: Sukhbir Adesh Dynasty.

K.J.S. AHLUWALIA, Amritsar