M A I L B A G

Politicians must heed Kalam’s exhortation

H K Dua’s front-page editorial “Some bare truths” (March 23) rightly examines President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s exhortation to parliamentarians to shun “political politics” and espouse “developmental politics”. The trading of seats in certain legislatures to grab power very recently raises doubts about our democratic system.

However, the conscienceless self-seeking politicians, facetiously called Aya Rams and Gaya Rams, who ruthlessly exploit every opportunity for self-aggrandisement, have no qualms of their nefarious activities. They are like ‘hari-chug’ or grazing cattle. They always look for a new El Dorado, which they get in the shape of ministerial berths or other benefits. They are devoid of national spirit.

Alas! Karein gey kya rafoo voh qaum key chaak-e-girebaan ko/ Jinhein apna phata daaman abhi seena nahi aata (“Chaak-e-girebaan” means collar slit). The people should spurn such politicians when they ask for their votes.

BHAGWAN SINGH, Qadian

II

Notwithstanding the President’s noble advice, it is doubtful whether the current crop of politicians will mend ways and follow the noble path of ideal democracy. What is the solution then? How can we get rid of the crooks, thugs and charlatans masquerading as political leaders, entering Parliament and the state legislatures through blackmail, deceit and muscle power?

I feel only judicial activism can stem the rot. We should get rid of the criminals and other bad characters.

KARTAR SINGH MEET, Jalandhar Cantt

III

Though the destiny of the man has always been determined by politics, today its wheel has taken a full circle. The Pappu Yadavs and the Arun Gowlis get themselves “elected” not by merit but by their money and muscle power. They fleece the people and rob the country.

SURJEET MANN, Sangrur

IV

The “bare” but bitter truths spoken by the President and highlighted by Mr Dua are a forewarning to the contractors of democracy. The President’s concern about the accused in murder cases being elected to Parliament is serious. The remedy lies in dispersing with this system inherited from the British.

King Vikramaditya was able to decide the ownership of the child claimed by two women — the real mother and the so-called fake mother. Our judicial system would have taken some 20 years to decide such cases disposed of by the King in a few minutes. Let us streamline the judicial system to ensure prompt justice. It must settle criminal cases against politicians expeditiously.

SHYAM SUNDER AIRI, Kapurthala

Nomination to IAS The Tribune carried a detailed report over the resentment among PCS officers due to the non-filling of the posts in the IAS cadre by not promoting them after their putting in eight years of service. The PCS officers may be right in their own perspective but the simultaneous resistance shown by them towards the introduction of outstanding officers from other cadres into the IAS cadre is not understood. Today, the IAS cadre governs the country and its members occupy all the top slots in the bureaucracy. If outstanding officers from medical, engineering, excise and taxation are also nominated to the IAS, it will only strengthen the brain force of the country with such persons who have better insight into some specific fields. The ground situation today is that hardly any officer from cadres other than the PCS is nominated to the IAS while a few years back, it was a regular practice. The process needs to be revived. Er JAGVIR GOYAL, Chandigarh

Exam or eyewash?

The Tribune has done a commendable job by clicking the photographs of many examination centres (March 3, 5 and 6) and exposing the hollow claims of the Punjab School Board. It is on open secret copying has assumed alarming proportions now.

The unabashed and unbridled practice of mass copying proves that our examination system has become rotten and obsolete. This chronic malady has ruined the lives of innumerable students. The teachers and the parents are equally responsible for the malady.

The government and the people should pay immediate attention to this matter to save the new generation from chaos and confusion.

GURDARSHAN SINGH, DUGGAL, Jalandhar

Regulate traffic

Owing to tax holiday and cheap power supply, the Kala-Amb area of Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh is emerging as the fastest development industrial town. Kala-Amb is the gateway to Himachal from Haryana. At the entry point, the main road is congested due to excise and police check-posts along with the Himachal entry tax barrier. This makes it prone to accidents, unnoticed by the authorities.

There is no ban on parking of heavy vehicles whose number has been increasing day by day with industrialisation. The workers of private contractor collect entry tax, overlooking the aspect of human safety. The authorities concerned should regulate the traffic and create more open space around the barrier.

Dr K.V. SINGH, Nahan (HP)