M A I L B A G

Building a new capital for Haryana

I refer to Suraj Bhan Dahiya’s article “Time to start on Haryana’s new capital”. He has argued quite logically for Haryana building its new capital as the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence of 1857 (fought by Haryanvis on their soil) looms large in 2007.

The writer has correctly zeroed in on choosing the Meham-Hansi strip as the capital’s location, as this trip will not be under the shadow of either Chandigarh or Delhi, will be closer to Rohtak and Hisar, will have socio-economic potential, rich under ground water and canal water, suitable for landscaping, terrain for natural drainage and availability of land. He further suggests, quite aptly, that Haryana’s capital should follow the Lutyen’s style rather than the Corbusier style of buildings.

It is now up to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda (who is keen on a separate High Court for Haryana while keeping mum on the issue of new capital) to rise to the occasion and press the Centre on this issue.

VINOD CHOWDHURY, Reader in Economics, St. Stephen’s College, Delhi

II

I don’t agree with the writer’s proposal. For the new capital of Haryana, Hisar is the most suitable place because it represents Haryana in true Haryanvi sense. Hisar is an education centre having two universities including the noted Haryana Agricultural University.

Moreover, Hisar has reputed institutions like the Dayanand College and the oldest Government College. Further, it is directly connected by road and rail network to Delhi. It is also well connected to Punjab via Sirsa and to Delhi and Rajasthan.

Already, a new building to house the mini secretariat has been constructed at Hisar which is an industrial city also. From cultural, traditional, business and educational point of view, Hisar is the only suitable place for the new capital of Haryana.

S.K. MITTAL, Talwara Township

III

Undoubtedly, the places mentioned for the location of new capital as well as the separate High Court are well suggested but a decision has to be taken by the political masters in Delhi and Chandigarh.

A memorial for these martyrs, who 150 years ago had fought the first battle for the freedom on the soil of Haryana and which culminated into freedom of India in 1947, should be set up in the central heartland of Haryana at Meham or somewhere between Hisar and Rohtak.

This will go a long way in promoting Haryana’s rich culture and heritage for the younger generation.

ANTAR SINGH KOHLI, Chandigarh

IV

The writer has raked up an unnecessary controversy. The article virtually surrenders Haryana’s right on Chandigarh which has been a bone of contention between Punjab and Haryana.

The nation has spent considerable amount on Chandigarh’s upkeep and development as a Union Territory which neither of the two states can afford. Creation of a new capital would deprive the state of its valuable fertile land and severely affect the production of Haryana’s world famous milch cattle.

Land cannot be created and no amount of compensation paid to the farmers can ever replace the loss they suffer. Delhi and its surrounding areas like Gurgaon and Noida are cases in point.

Another moot point is how much land, accommodation and infrastructure do the 80 legislators of the state need? Is it necessary to build a new capital? No one has ever complained about the lack or inadequacy of any facility for the Haryana government at Chandigarh. Why, then, this suggestion for creating a new capital?

JAWAHAR LAL, New Delhi

Misuse of a banned drug This refers to the news about the arrest of a supervisor of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) for using the banned drug oxytocin. This drug is banned or available on doctor’s prescription in Panjab also. But the truth is that this drug is freely available in all the drug stores, especially in rural areas. The farmers and dairy farmers use it freely to take out milk from unwilling animals. I have seen buffaloes shivering with fear on seeing the man approaching with a syringe. Admittedly, it is a harmonic drug and can reduce the age of attaining puberty, especially in females. What other ill effects it can have on the milk drinkers is not yet clear. There is talk on the effect of diclofanic sodium on vultures. What about the oxytocin’s effect on these birds? Hormones are reported to have reduced the thickness of egg shells leading to non-hatching. Farmers are irresponsible and requests and warnings by the State Pollution Control Board have had no effect. Only stringent measures can bring about a change in the farmers’ mindset. SURINDER SINGH, Mohali

Water shortage

With the onset of summer, there is shortage of water in various parts of the region. This problem is partly man-made as we waste water. We use the bathroom flush many times, wasting about 15 litres of potable water. This loss can be well imagined if every member of the family does it.

An easy way to curb this loss is to keep a bucket of water with phenyl in the toilet and throw a mug of water in the flush after urination. This would save wastage of water to some extent.

V.K. SHARMA, Shimla