M A I L B A G

Fooling the people, clergy style

Apropos the article “Sins of clergy” by Pushpa Bhargava (Jan 2), I entirely agree with the opinion expressed by the writer. The masses of India are being fooled by the maulvis, pandits, priests and granthis who are the products of madarsas, mandirs, churches and gurudwaras where they are brainwashed with fundamentalist ideologies and outdated beliefs and myths, backed by imaginary legends and miracles attributed to their respective gods and prophets. They are then sent out as missionaries to mislead the masses and divide society by preaching religious dogmas.

As a result of this, we now see ever-increasing religious processions/rath yatras of all shades blocking our already crowded roads. Loudspeakers loudly dispense their doctrines to the unwilling general public.

Charlatans masquerading as godmen are the protégées of our influential politicians, which further increases their clout. We need to stop activities of these people in order to protect our vast illiterate population.

Brig W.S. CHOUDARY (retd), Panchkula

Saving the girl child

I welcome the decision of the Haryana Government to announce 2006 as the Year of The Girl Child. It deserves praise for announcing various welfare schemes for the girl child on this occasion. But all these schemes will be minimised if the Haryana government does not resolve to deal with the cases of female foeticide, rapes and dowry deaths with a firm hand.

GIAN CHAND VERMA, Yamunanagar

Concession for students

The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education has taken a good step from this year to provide extra time of 15 minutes for students to go through the question paper before an examination. It will enhance the ability of students to think properly and write well.

J.B. THAPA, Hamirpur

II

In this world of severe competition, where the students should be quick to answer all the questions within the minimum possible time, we are crippling their competence by providing laxity in time. Moreover, distribution of the question paper 15 minutes before the answer-sheets will definitely result in chaos. Students can indulge in queries thereby adversely affecting the discipline at the examination centres. The decision should be reconsidered.

ONKAR SINGH, Bhojowal

Brave lovers! THIS refers to the periodic notice headed “Dear readers”, prompting readers of the paper to contribute to the letters’ column. However, the readers who respond to the tempting notice are soon disenchanted when they find that their contributions, by and large, get rejected and thus their brainchild seldom appears in print. In fact, The Tribune seems to behave in this matter like the Keatsean La Belle Dame Sans Merci who, by nature, opted for young/handsome knights, ruthlessly jilting the old/chronic ones. A beautiful but heartless beloved responds to communications by numerous wooers very rarely. While most of the guys give up the exercise in utter disgust, a few persist and are rewarded with an occasional response. For that glorious/invigorating moment the brave guy puts up with countless indignities in glum silence. The contributors to The Tribune would, therefore, be well-advised to enter the slippery arena with the adventurous spirit of a brave lover, failing which they are bound to meet disappointment. TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

The right note

In my letter published in The Tribune on 24 February, 1973, I had suggested incorporating the year of printing in bank-notes of all denominations as was given in the printed image of a one-rupee-coin which is carried in the currency notes of the same denomination. The Reserve Bank of India has done well to incorporate the year of printing, besides a number of new, in-built security features in currency notes of one-hundred-rupee denomination. These features should be incorporated in other notes as well.

LALIT BHARADWAJ, Panchkula

Defend the uniform

This is with reference to the news item captioned “Defence uniform”. You have rightly cautioned against the improper disposal of readymade combat dresses. This poses a threat to our national security and is punishable under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

No unauthorised person should procure, purchase, store, stitch and sell any combat dress. Moreover, such dresses, badges, insignia, etc, should be sold only to identified army/police personnel. Terrorists wear uniforms of defence services and the police while launching attacks. Easy availability means a quick switch-over is always possible. Wearing of defence uniform/police uniform by a civilian should be made a cognizable offence.

M.L. BATURA, Karnal

Death not dreadful

Apropos Mr A.J. Phillip’s middle (Jan 2), death is indeed not dreadful. Since we know that it is inevitable, why not welcome it, happily, without demur? It is admitted that though a birth may not take place, death cannot be avoided. Sculpture and crown must tumble down. Further, to take the venom out of it, let’s recall a poet’s words: “One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more.”

BALJIT KAUR, Jalandhar