M A I L B A G

No need to change the form of govt

Apropos of P.P. Rao’s article “No need for presidential form” (Nov 16), I agree with his opinion that we should stick to the parliamentary form of government. We should not opt for presidential form, mainly because it is risky to get all the powers vested in one individual. Concentration of powers in one person will encourage their misuse.

However, I am not in favour of universal adult franchise. We should have at least one proviso to the effect that a citizen should at least be a matriculate to become eligible for exercising his franchise.

We need a two-party system. Too many parties are not good. They will make a mess of everything. Even big parties are forced to depend upon splinter groups either to come to power or remain in office. Those with criminal background will have to be kept off the representative institutions.

SARDAR SINGH, Jalandhar City

RIKHI DASS THAKUR, Palbhu (Hamirpur)

III

Mr Rao writes, “Barring a few exceptions, the elected representatives don’t reflect the will of the people”. Who is responsible for this? It is common knowledge that in the panchayat and Assembly elections, the politicians bribe the people for votes. Both sides are responsible for this sad state of affairs.

If the people are honest and sincere, the politicians would dare not throw financial crumbs to them. Why don’t they realise that by succumbing to the pressure of politicians, they are endangering democracy and, as a corollary, their own future?

AKHILESH, Birampur (Hoshiarpur)

Case for a new library Please publish my open letter to be read by Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala from whom I solicit a unique birthday gift today (November 25). The gift is not for myself but for all the children, adults, elders and senior citizens of Panchkula. Mr Chautala, please give us a State Library in Panchkula, as a birthday gift, on the pattern of the Central Library in Chandigarh. Panchkula is developing fast. So many hotels, multiplexes and shopping malls are on the anvil. But we do not have a library. Why should we be deprived of this temple of knowledge? My elder sister, Pragati, and younger brother, Shaurya, also join me in making this request to Mr Chautala. A student of Class XI, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, Chandigarh, I am fond of reading and writing. Before shifting to Panchkula two years back, I was studying at Assumption Convent School, Abohar (Punjab). We had an excellent school library there. I was making best use of it. But we do not have one in Panchkula. If sanctioned, this will be a unique gift from the Chautala government to society. SAMRIDHI GALHOTRA, Panchkula

Chhotu Ram’s relics

I am happy to see Sir Chhotu Ram’s relics back in Rohtak. The relics had been lying idle in Shakti Bhawan, Lahore since Sir Chhotu Ram’s death on January 9, 1945. When I was studying MA in F.C. College, Lahore, I was staying in Shakti Bhawan. According to Lady Chhotu Ram’s desire, his body was taken to Prem Niwas, Rohtak. He was cremated in Jat College, Rohtak, where his samadhi was erected.

Shakti Bhawan at Lahore should be converted into a memorial so that on January 9, 2005, lakhs of people from both India and Pakistan could pay homage to their departed hero. Sir Chhotu Ram is a crucial link between Pakistan and India. People in both countries remember him.

HARI SINGH, Kheri Jat (Jhajjar)

Senior citizens’ woes

The Tribune has done splendid service in highlighting the pathetic plight of India’s first woman pilot, the widow of a highly decorated Air Marshal Harjinder Singh, a pioneer of IAF. So also is the case of the first woman IAS officer, Mrs Isha Joshi languishing in the outhouse of her palatial house in Lucknow. Add to these the story of the Car Baba in Chandigarh. If this is the fate of well-to-do educated people, one can imagine the plight of lesser mortals.

The elderly are deserted at an age when they need compassion, company as well as physical, social and financial support. In view of the expected increase in elderly population, there is an urgent need to work out suitable government and non-government initiatives in providing both short-term and long-term succour in the form of pension, old age homes and free medical care.

Brig H.S. SANDHU (retd), Panchkula