M A I L B A G

Need to promote cadaver transplantation

I have read with great interest Mr A.J. Philip’s article on kidney transplants (Nov. 28). Regrettably, it is an amalgam of two sob stories. It starts with the story of the young Malayalee football player who donates a kidney to get his sister married and then proceeds to the story of a hapless victim of kidney failure who wishes to save his life by buying a kidney from a poor man located through a newspaper advertisement. It is unclear as to whom the reader should sob for, maybe both. However, that emotive response fails to address the real life issues.

It is not as though professionals are insensitive to the possible opportunities for people suffering from kidney failure. There is a perfectly sensible alternative in the form of using the kidneys from dead individuals. This is called cadaver transplantation. Additionally, such organ donations usually come for free. People who feel concerned about the welfare of patients of kidney failure would be well advised to form advocacy groups to promote cadaver kidney transplants. We should foster a movement that would promote cadaver transplantation in the country.

Dr R.P. SAPRU, (Former Cardiology Head, PGIMER), Panchkula

II

Mr A. J. Philip’s article made sad reading. It should be a revelation for the authorities concerned. “He”, surely, “is blind enough who sees not through the holes of a sieve”! The so-called “stringent” law to check the trading of human organs, being completely blind to the practical realities, has failed not only in its basic purpose but also puts genuine and hapless patients to inconvenience that often leads to fatality.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

Noise pollution

Apropos of Mr H. Kishie Singh’s letter “Loudspeakers back in action” (Nov 17), most of us will endorse his views. The administration is reluctant to take action against religious places as that would trigger agitation by people. But the same people do not live near the religious places to avoid the loudspeaker menace. Why this double standard?

If jagrata or path is performed in anyone’s residence, it becomes an unbearable trouble for all the residents in the locality. Is He (God) deaf that we have to scream? And what type of message of mental peace these houses give? The administration should persuade (or pressurise) the owners of religious places not to use loudspeakers.

SUBHASH SHARMA, Amritsar

A curse on free society THIS refers to the editorial “Human bondage” (Nov.25). There is need to spread a strong social awakening against bonded labour which is a curse on a free society. Technological advances have no meaning for bonded labourers since they cannot reach or reap the fruits even of their own labour. This is the worst form of slavery in free India. Do we need another renaissance to provide these unfortunate lot the basic human right of expression or opportunity for self expression so that they rid themselves of economic and social slavery? Legislations alone will not help. People and politicians should be sensitised to provide this section an opportunity to live up to their hopes. Perpetuators of bonded labour must be punished. B. B. GOYAL, Ludhiana

A living legend

Mr Sarabjit Dhaliwal’s report “Padamjit a living legend of PSEB” (Nov 25) rightly highlights the honesty, commitment to duty and simplicity of the PSEB Chief Engineer. Corruption is the root cause of injustice and bad governance in our country. It starts with the politicians and permeates to government servants, the police and even the judiciary.

Maj-Gen GURDIAL SINGH (retd), Chandigarh

II

I know Mr Padamjit Singh well. Since 1978, he has been riding a bicycle at 22 Number Phatak, Patiala. His comment on unbundling of PSEB that “vertically integrated PSEB is the best option available before the government” was welcomed by all.

Although he retired on Nov 30 as Chief Engineer (System Operation) of PSEB, he shall be remembered by all engineers for his simplicity, honesty, intelligent and straight forward working.

Er. DEVINDER SINGH, Ropar

CAT out of bag

Apropos of your editorial “CAT on the hot tin roof” (Nov. 25), the CBI deserves appreciation for unearthing numerous scams papers from touts hours before the Common Admission Test for IIM aspirants has shattered the belief that the competition tests are conducted fairly.

Where and how the things went wrong, somewhere the system is creaking and leaking like Shakespeare in King Lear “as flies to the wanton boys, are we to the gods....”, the examinees are to the touts. The investigating agencies should not give clean chits before the scam is thoroughly scanned.

Dr S.K. AGGARWAL, Amritsar