M A I L B A G

Tackling the menace of spurious milk

THE menace of synthetically prepared milk has assumed alarming proportions. The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the Punjab Health Authorities in this regard. Virtually playing with the lives of people, the dairy owners are openly selling the synthetically prepared milk in each and every city of Punjab. Health authorities have so far taken no action.

As the festival season is drawing nearer, the milk consumption is going to increase manifold. Much of the milk sold in the market will be spurious and synthetic. When the synthetic milk is easily available in the market and due to the festival season consumption of milk products like khoya, paneer and other sweets increases, serious doubts arise about the purity of these milk products also. Most of the halwais procure khoya from Saharanpur which is adulterated. Spurious milk is prepared by mixing urea, hair wash shampoos, a few other chemicals and a little of dry milk powder. Usually there is a profit of Rs.5 to 7 per litre. Most of these chemicals have serious toxic effects like kidney failure, blood pressure, raised intra-ocular pressure, gastro-intestinal disturbances and skin allergies.

A massive awareness campaign is needed. Not only health authorities but all doctors should educate the public that they should purchase milk from a reliable source only. It is better to purchase only sealed and branded milk. Government agencies like Milkfed or Verka should come out with what tests they do before procuring the milk from their sources in the villages.

Dr R. Vatsyayan, Ludhiana

Role of IAF in Kargil conflict Commemorating the fourth anniversary of the Kargil war, Air Marshal Vinod Patney (retd), in his write-up (July 26), said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) should have been allowed to strike early during the Kargil conflict. According to him, if ground forces were less, the IAF should have been permitted to use airpower optimally. This would have exhibited strong resolve and gained greater international support for India, besides taking the impact of war onto the other side as well. Looking at the title of the article, it seemed the writer would first give a total assessment of the war situation, pad it up with various scenarios and later showing the necessity of the IAF, would argue for its employment during the initial stages of war. But there was no mention of any such kind. Though a professional expert, he has not given his clear views on the subject. Let us not forget that the other conflict which goes eternally in this country is the Air-Land battle dispute. I would like to ask the writer that being very senior in the operational command during the Kargil conflict, what did he do to make his point clear to the Government? One fails to understand from the article as to who was at fault — the government for lack of strategic perception or the IAF’s failure to convince the government. Even otherwise, what was the role of Air Marshal Patney who was occupying a responsible position? Alternatively, why rake up an issue which has lost its operational significance? There seems a delayed awakening of professional interests among the former Defence top brass of this country. RAKESH DATTA, Centre for Defence & National Security Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Captivating show

I had a chance to witness the programme of old songs of Mohd Rafi presented by Yaadgar-e-Rafi Society on August 3. The programme was so captivating that I sat all through for nearly six hours. Singers from the North-Western belt had proved that they could also become good singers if such opportunities are given. All the artistes, especially from the junior section, threw some sparkling performance. In the senior section, one Harvinder ‘Happy’, in spite of his deformity, gave wonderful performance by singing ‘Kal ki daulat aja ki khushiyan.’ He was given a thunderous applause and also won the prize.

The Rafi Society is doing yoeman service by giving an opportunity to new upcoming singers, who may one day land into filmdom and rock the whole nation. I have one request to the organisers. Keeping in view the heavy turnout at Rafi Nites, Tagore Theatre is too small. They should opt for a bigger place like cinema halls. I wish the Society all the best.

A.K. Kaul, Chandigarh

Recounselling needed

The Baba Farid University had conducted counselling for admission to PG courses in Punjab government colleges and private medical colleges (DMC, Ludhiana) on July 9 at Faridkot. The government kept silent about the fee structure where as the DMC, Ludhiana, mentioned Rs 5 lakh a year in the prospectus.

Candidates who were unable to afford this, even with very high merit, could not opt for a good branch of their choice in DMC, Ludhiana. They had to be satisfied with whatever branch they got in the Government Medical College. Justice demands recounselling under the changed conditions.

S.P. DOGRA, Gurdaspur

Re-interview for B.Ed

Apropos of the advertisement for re-interview of students who have appeared for seats under Chandigarh quota, the onus is on the Guru Nanak Dev University. For, it added a clause saying that candidates should also possess a Chandigarh domicile certificate besides meeting other criteria.

If the students, who are residents of Chandigarh and have passed BA/B.Sc degree from Chandigarh colleges, are called for re-interview at GND University, Amritsar, for no fault of theirs, who will bear their travel expenses to and from Amritsar? The authorities are requested to bear this in mind.

LACHHMAN DASS, Chandigarh