M A I L B A G

“Big change” is only Hobson’s choice

I agree with H.K. Dua’s views in his front-page editorial “The big change” (May 14) that the BJP-led NDA government’s growing distance from the people, belated attempts to win the confidence of minorities and failure in engineering right alliance in right places led to its defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. The election results have far-reaching consequences for the world’s largest democracy.

Dr Manmohan Singh’s government should note that the Indian voter cannot be taken for granted. The voter is concerned over the poor quality of governance affecting his day-to-day life than the much-hyped campaigns such as “India Shining”, “Feel-Good” or Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin.

What matters most for the voter is the quality of services rendered — water, electricity, healthcare, education, communication, rural development, employment and social security.

Dr RAJ KUMAR SIWACH, Lecturer in Public Admn., G. N. Khalsa College, Karnal

Why girls outshine boys Every year, over one lakh students of Classes X and XII take CBSE exams all over India. The results are declared two months after the exams. During this time, the cafes are filled with numerous cool, confident and nail-biting students. Well, it happened again this time. The girls outshined the boys. Why is it always the girls? Why can't it be boys for a change? I feel that girls are more hard working than boys. Some boys are, no doubt, very good, but some don't take these exams seriously while others just think of passing. The students of Class XII should focus only on studies because their future depends upon it. The role of coaching centres is important, but some students are dependent solely on tuitions. One’s result depends a lot on his/her studies and hard work too. A student’s life is punctuated with exams. Hence it’s very important for all students, especially boys, to wake up and put their heart, mind, and soul into preparation to ensure a bright future. Aniket Singh, Class X, Army School, Ambala Cantonment

Australian view

The victory of the Congress-led alliance in the Lok Sabha elections in India has stunned us all here in Australia. Our country’s largest circulated newspaper, “The Sydney Morning Herald”, has published a report from its New Delhi correspondent Christopher Kremmer with the caption “Golden days for a defiant dynasty”.

Significantly, this newspaper has praised the personal charisma of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee with the words “India has lost a statesman and gained an unknown quantity. The BJP government had many achievements in spite of its deficiencies”. It said, “A generation next of the young scions of political families like the Gandhis, Scindias, Dikshits, Pilots, Abdullahs and Singhs will settle comfortably into their seats in the new Parliament.”

This newspaper said, “The Communists who turned in their best election performance since Independence will make or break the new government”.

According to “The Age of Melbourne”, “The defeat of the Hindu nationalist party (the BJP) is due to the resentment of the rural poor against the party. The Left supports the Congress with the condition that the pace of globalisation and privatisation should be slowed down”. Another newspaper, “The Australian”, has merely given the comments of the Indian dailies on the elections.

The Australian Press has noted that the BJP-led government could not construct the temple in Ayodhya because the BJP too wanted to appease the Muslims. Instead, the BJP left the temple controversy to the courts.

AMARJIT SINGH GORAYA, Kookra St. Griffith (Australia)

Secular tradition

With the swearing in of Dr Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister, the secular tradition of the present government is firmly established. This is evident from the three top posts in the country, i.e. the President, the Vice-President and the Prime Minister, being occupied by Muslim, Hindu and Sikh respectively.

A similarly situation had occurred about 60 years ago when the freedom struggle was at its peak. Three generals of the Indian National Army led by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose were on trial at the Red Fort. To heighten the spirit of nationalism, people raised slogans in favour of these war heroes. One such slogan which rang in the air was: “Lal Qile Se Ayi Awaz/ Sehgal, Dhillon, Shahnawaz”, the last line referring to their names who belonged to Hindu, Sikh and Muslim religions respectively.

The present scenario merits a similar slogan: “Bharat Mata Tujhe Pranam/ Manmohan, Bhairon, Abdul Kalam.”

V.K. RANGRA, New Delhi

Definition of love

Apropos of Swarleen Kaur’s middle “Changing definition of love” (May 28), her new definition is indeed true. Today, the definition of love has significantly changed. It is far away from the love of our ancient heroes like Sony Mahiwal, Romeo Juliet etc. They used to forget everything before their love for each other.

In today’s modern world, the concept of love has changed. If we are heart broken, we have to recollect our glorious past and start a new life. Those who are in love may feel happy and wonderful. Those who are trying to re-define love may interpret it as “a misunderstanding between two fools.” Whatever love is, we should define it as we think and feel about it.

SHALINI THAKUR, BRA Govt Polytechnic College, Ambota (HP)