M A I L B A G

Big gender gap is alarming

The Union Health Ministry has came out with frightening facts regarding the growing gender gap across the country. The report points out that in Delhi, the child sex ratio (CSR) is less than 850 girls for every 1000 boys. The worst decline in the sex ratio has been registered in Punjab and Haryana where CSR has fallen below 800. The figures are in sharp contrast to the world average of 1045 females to 1000 males. The Chandigarh CSR was 773 :1000 at the time of last census.

The reasons for declining CSR is the growing incidence of female foeticide across the country despite laws to prevent it. The female foeticide is encouraged by society where the girl is treated as a liability. The poor parents cannot get daughters married due to dowry and other problems. Everyone wants a son to run their future generations.

If we want to increase the CSR, the government should strictly enforce the laws, spread social awareness against female foeticide, implement anti-dowry laws and ensure social security of girls.

M. L. Garg, Chandigarh

Hema as MP

In his article “New role for Hema Malini” (Oct 21), Mr H. K. Dua has rightly observed that the politicians on their own are losing their marketability amongst the voters and have come to realise with panic that they are desperately in need of some marketing props. When they see that national and multinational corporations are using the film celebrities with gay abandon to promote the sale of their products, they can certainly be excused for their wishful thinking that the same methodology can be used to promote the presentation of politicians of different hues.

R.C. KHANNA, Amritsar

II

Mr H.K. Dua’s article is very interesting. Hema Malini is certainly a talented and perfect lady. She is 100 per cent an Indian. She has been honoured by her nomination as Member of Rajya Sabha.

Indira Gandhi was stated to be “India”. She was not even “Rae Bareily” at one time, not to speak of Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Indians should give respect to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, but one cannot accept her as Prime Minister of India. India needs a seasoned politician as Prime Minister and not an “imported” Prime Minister.

S.k. hans, Jalandhar

III

Hema Malini deserved to be in the Rajya Sabha as she has all the good qualities required to be a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. But she should not have joined the BJP. It shows her innocence. She is likely to be used by the party leaders for attracting votes. I wish her all success as a politician.

Dr U.S. Bansal, Chandigarh

IV

Our present-day politicians have lost their sheen. They are no longer crowd pullers compared to their predecessors who were leaders of integrity and devoted to the welfare of the country. Hence they are adopting the other ways to attract people.

For this, they have been dependent upon clowns, singers and filmstars. Hema Malini’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha and her immediate joining of the Bhartiya Janata Party should be viewed against this background. Hema Malini is a good actress but wooing voters through her is not appreciable, particularly by a party like the BJP.

TEJ BAHADUR PURI, Kapurthala

V

Now that Hema Malini is a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, she should not behave as a show piece to attract the mad crowd for politicians. Moreover, she has no right to join the BJP just after her nomination.

S.K. MITTAL, Shahpurkandi

VI

The nomination of Hema Malini as a member of the Rajya Sabha cannot make a mountain out of the molehill, but it is like catching a straw (by the BJP) at the eleventh hour of the assembly elections in five states.

NACHHATTAR SINGH,
Odhan, Sirsa

VII

Apropos of Mr H.K. Dua’s article “New role for Hema Malini” (Oct 21), the entry of filmstars into politics should be welcomed, if for no other reason at least for the fact they add glamour to Parliament mostly comprising traditional party leaders. A handsome Vinod Khanna’s delivery of his words in impeccable accent is music to the ears as compared to the jarring jargon of a Jaipal Reddy. Similarly, Hema Malini may not have anything to say, but the sylph will say it charmingly.

CHAMAN LAL KORPAL, Amritsar

Why this lawlessness?

The police officials of Sarabha Nagar Police Station are paying heavily for their bold step against the sons of two VIPs for their misbehaviour in Sarabha Nagar market in drunken state. I am surprised at this goondaraj in our country, which was once the country of Gandhi. Why this lawlessness?

Sonia Pahwa, Ludhiana