M A I L B A G

Why Bihar tops in lawlessness

THIS has reference to the editorial “Benighted State” (Nov 20). The incident of kidnapping for ransom and subsequent murder of a doctor in Patna has grim lessons for the doctor community in particular. It is no secret that Bihar tops in normlessness and in criminalisation of society. This problem has been compounded by rampant unemployment, poverty and population explosion. Other parts of India are no stranger to these problems.

What makes a doctor vulnerable to the terror attacks? Some might argue that they are rich, disunited and unable to defend themselves and hence are soft targets. But what escapes attention is the hateful trade practices that most doctors follow today. They run after middlemen, touts and offer them hefty commissions in lieu of patients that they might send. With the passage of time, society has started viewing doctors as weak, ever willing to compromise their dignity and income for sake of profits. Which mafia don worth his salt would not milch such a community with no principles and ideals?

Doctors should ask themselves if education is only a means to earn livelihood. Why education does not reflect on the character and conduct of a person? If remedial measures are not initiated, the whole country would become another Bihar.

Dr MANOJ LAMBA, Kurukshetra

Message of peace

Apropos of H.K. Dua’s article “Balle-Balle is not peace: India, Pak have to cross many hurdles” (Nov 20), I agree with his view that people-to-people exchanges and the Balle-Balle mood have only a limited impact and that the people involved are not policy makers. But common men are the best ambassadors to spread the message of peace far and wide.

We, Indians, are warm and peace-loving. Pakistanis visiting India have told the media that the love and affection one got here cannot be expected elsewhere.

Some have even said that they did not feel like returning to Pakistan. The bonhomie so created will help people on both sides to live in peace as they have had enough of tension and trouble. This may, at an appropriate time, force the policy makers on both sides to see reason and channelise their energies towards nation building. Let’s not lose hope and look at this new sunrise as a sign of harmony and mutual prosperity through peace. Amen!

Lt-Col BHAGWANT SINGH (retd), Mohali

Shocking incident

The shameful attempt by two TTEs to rape two British girls in the Nizamuddin-Goa Express train is shocking. The rape of a Swiss tourist and Bangladesh women are fresh in memory. It is time we learnt to behave like civilised citizens. Such incidents lower our country’s image in the comity of nations.

BALRAM CHAWLA, Palwal (Faridabad)

It’s refreshing

Apropos of the letter “No more refreshing” (Oct 18), I do not agree with the view that Lata Mangeshkar’s voice is no more refreshing. Changes do come in the body and mental make-up of a person with the advancement of age, but that does not make a singer or musician unfit for performing his/her art. Rather with the passage of time and age, the voice of a musician becomes more matured and melodious.

R.S. CHOHAN, Mohali