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M A I L B A G

Importance of Gandhiji’s moral law

As a grateful nation is observing the 56th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today, his concept of the majesty of the moral law assumes special significance. He said when the people have realised the concept of moral law, they will see how little their happiness or unhappiness would depend on health, success, fame and the like.

There are two windows to the mind of every man, the one revealing himself as he is, the other as he ought to be. It is the duty of every human being to look carefully within, and see himself as he is, and spare no pains to improve himself in body, mind and soul. He should realise the mischief wrought by injustice, wickedness, vanity and the like, and so his best to fight them.

We should all be able to find out happiness in righteousness and veracity, in spite of the pains and losses which we may have to suffer in this world. God is omnipotent. He is the embodiment of perfection. None can set limit to his justice and his mercy. How, then, can we, who call ourselves his devotees, dare to infringe the obligation of morality? We should not, of course, lead a moral life in the hope of a reward. A life of goodness is enjoined upon us, not because it will bring good to us, but because it is the eternal and immutable law of nature. Good works are, indeed, more than food to us. We should feel more grateful to one who gives us an opportunity of doing a good deed than to him who feeds us in our hunger.

The really moral man leads a life of virtue not because it will do him good, but because it is the law of his being. True morality consists not in following the beaten track, but in finding out the true path of ourselves and in fearlessly following it. True progress is impossible without such strenuous pursuit of truth.

The power to do good does not come to us from without. It exists always within us, and we have only to develop it by proper means. The highest moral law is that we should unremittingly work for the good of the humankind. Gandhiji’s concept of moral law is highly relevant today and each one of us should follow his concept in letter and spirit to build up a strong and vibrant India.

D.N. BANSAL, Chief Engineer (Comm), HPSEB, Shimla

Gender-biased Dada-Dadi bonds

Certain relief measures recently announced by the Central Government are welcome. But the scheme known as Dada-Dadi Bonds, which, as promised, is likely to bring better returns on the investments made by senior citizens, has caused emotional anguish to a certain segment of the senior citizens. Though the details of the scheme have not been published, yet from its very nomenclature, it appears that only those senior citizens who have attained the status of Dada or Dadi would be eligible to invest in these bonds and possibly those senior couples who are not blessed with a son and who have not attained the status of Dada or Dadi would not be able to invest in them.

However, I may hasten to correct myself because it is debatable whether the birth of a son is really a blessing because at times, experience of some citizens proves otherwise. The birth of a son or a daughter is a biological phenomenon guided by the laws and chemistry of genetics, and so those senior citizens who have not been able to beget a male child should not be made unnecessarily aware of the fact that they have not been able to get a son or to become a Dada or Dadi.

The nomenclature of these bonds is highly gender biased and it is offensive to those senior couples who have not been able to get a son and who are blessed only with a daughter (s) and who have been lucky and fortunate to attain the coveted status of Nana-Nani. The authorities concerned will do well to remove this offensive gender smacking nomenclature and substitute it with a more universally acceptable nomenclature of the bonds.

BEANT SINGH BEDI, Mohali

Gratuity for teachers

The Supreme Court has ruled that teachers are not entitled to payment of gratuity under the Gratuity Act because they have not been defined as employees under it. But the states have the prerogative to pass separate legislations for extending benefits to them. Since the Supreme Court has left it to the discretion of state legislatures, the Delhi government should take the lead by enacting a favourable legislation providing gratuity to the teachers. Suffice to mention, after retirement, the teachers do not have any income except gratuity.

GOPAL BHARGAVA, Delhi

Laudable, but...

This has reference to the article “EC appointments only by consensus” by Mr Manohar Singh Gill, former Chief Election Commissioner (Jan 16). The idea to hold assembly elections under Governor’s (neutral) rule will not be appreciated by the political parties. For such an arrangement, the system requires major constitutional changes for which again political consensus is essential which seems to be wishful thinking in our democratic system.

The point where the ruling and Opposition parties agree for consensus is enhancement of pays, perks and pension for parliamentarians. Alas! when will our politicians rise above narrow partisan and selfish gains?

RAMANDEEP KAUR, Patiala

Bus fares for students

The Himachal Pradesh Government has reduced bus fares for college students by 80 per cent. I hope that the Punjab Government is not bankrupt and it can at least provide similar concessions to college students.

SANJAY RAJ, Patiala