M A I L B A G

Power sector: The first step to reforms

I endorse the views of Harbans Singh in his article “Privatising SEBs: The other view” (Perspective, May 22). He has rightly asked the government to examine the matter coolly and that no one resents reforms.

He makes a very important point that while aiming at improvements, reforms should ensure that results cannot be achieved by those who have not been enough through the mill and that the country is not short of such experts. It is a sad state of affairs that competent professionals have been increasingly marginalised in the management of power sector.

A glaring example of this phenomenon is that Er Padamjit Singh, whose knowledge of country’s power system cannot be matched by anyone and whose sacrifices and commitment to the profession are unsurpassed, continues to play a peripheral role as Advisor in the Punjab State Electricity Board after his retirement.

His experience coupled with ability to tackle multiple problems at a time could have been of immense help to the people of Punjab had he been given a position of higher responsibility and more so if he had been associated with expert committees on power reforms at the national level.

S. C. CHABBA, Ropar

A true hero

This refers to Humra Quraishi’s obituary on Sunil Dutt under the caption “Sunil Dutt a secularist to the core” (May 29). He was a true actor and a thorough social activist.

As an actor, his contribution to the film industry was matchless. As a politician, he never compromised with his principles of truthfulness and dignity. He was a hero and star in the real sense.

SANJAY CHOPRA, Hamira (Kapurthala)

II

Sunil Dutt symbolised courage, enthusiasm and zest for life. He had a burning desire to help the humankind in the best possible manner — be it in the form of spending some time with our jawans, tying rakhi to prostitutes, giving donation to hospitals, helping the poor people or undertaking a padayatra for harmony and peace. We will miss him very much.

Major PREM C. CHAUHAN (retd), Hisar

III

Sunil Dutt can be called Steel Dutt keeping in view the hardship, hurdles and humiliations he had to face in life. His love for Punjab is well known. Since his padayatra from Mumbai to Amritsar, there existed an eternal bond of friendship, love and understanding between him and the people of Punjab. Surely, he was a gentleman to the core.

K.J.S. AHLUWALIA, Amritsar

IV

Sunil Dutt has been rightly hailed as Son of India. May be as time passes, he will be called the great son of Mother Earth. He was always ready to help the poor and the needy.

SANJEEV GAUR, Chandigarh

V

So far nothing has been written about Nargis Dutt’s father. In fact, Jaddan Bai was married to Dr Uttam Chand Mohan of Rawalpindi. Both Sunil Dutt and Dr Uttam Chand were Mohyal Saraswat Brahmins of Jhelum and Rawalpindi districts respectively. What a coincidence!

K.N. BAKSHI, Chandigarh

VI

Sunil Dutt was a multifaceted personality. He practised what he preached. He did full justice to the role he was assigned — actor, social activist, politician and, above all, Union Minister.

As the Union Sports Minister, he encouraged sports persons to meet him directly instead of through federations for prompt redressal of their grievances. God has snatched a noble man from us at an inappropriate time.

BANSI RAM, Chakhajipur (Hoshiarpur)

Small family norm must apply to all In his article “Small family norm must for MLAs” (Sunday Oped, May 29), Subhash C. Jain has laid down the small family norm for MLAs and MPs only. Every citizen must contribute to tackle the rising population problem. In every election — be it Parliament, state legislature, municipality, corporation, panchayat, school, college, university, bank or any other organisation in private, public or joint sector — a person should be allowed to contest only if he or she has not more than two children. The moment this rule is violated, his or her election shall become void and thus ineligible to hold the post further. Persons contesting the elections should be at least graduates. This will help enforce the small family norm effectively. The main task of MPs and MLAs should be to guide the masses to adopt the small family norm. Voters should caste vote only to the person who has played an important role in stabilising the population growth. Article 47 of the Constitution should be amended by adding a new Directive Principle enabling the state to promote population control and small family norm. Article 51A should make it binding on every citizen to promote and adopt the norm. The annual growth rate of population should be brought down to zero from the present 2.5 per cent. To maintain proper ecological balance, housing, agriculture, industry and forests should get their due share on the earth. Prof ASHOK AGNIHOTRI, S.L. Bawa DAV College, Batala

Deficient language

This refers to “In the words of nani” by Khushwant Singh (Saturday Extra). It is wrong to say that “The joint family has sponsored words in Indian languages which do not exist in any other languages of the world”. The words dada, dadi etc. are there because the people they identify are very much there. If other languages do not have their equivalents, it is a shortcoming that needs to be addressed.

The phonetic and pronunciation patterns of English language are exasperatingly deficient as is the grammar. The Devanagri script, its grammar and pronunciation are the best in the world, thanks to the efforts of Panini.

GEETANJALI KORPAL, Amritsar