M A I L B A G

Sensex fall: The other picture

I refer to Manoj Kumar’s report (The Tribune, Real Estate Supplement, June 10) that the investors who had invested in realty stocks considering the boom in real estate price have lost heavily due to the downfall in Sensex continuing for nearly a month. However, this is only half the story. The stocks have fallen almost over the whole market.

The aam aadmi who had invested heavily in stocks and stock borne Mutual Funds forced by the government/RBI sharply reducing the rates of interest in various saving schemes, and goaded by the galloping Sensex rates have lost billions. The Tribune Business Page had reported a day earlier that the Employees’ Provident Fund was saved this fiasco providentially due to the general lethargy in public establishments delaying such investments by the EPF organisation. Otherwise, the EPF would have lost over Rs 2,000 crore within last month.

The UPA Government at the Centre has done little and tends to suggest a nexus between the Indian Inc and the government in looting the innocent and ignorant aam aadami!

ARIDAMAN SINGH JHUBAL, Amritsar

Kalam’s advice

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has done well in making a sortie in a supersonic fighter jet at his age and thus set an example of being the Supreme Commander of the defence forces in real sense. He has rightly exhorted the youth to join the armed forces, which is a disciplined force.

In the past, the rulers used to send their wards to the Army to train them for future duties in a disciplined way. In many countries, Army training is a must for young boys before taking other jobs. As there is shortage of men and officers, Dr Kalam’s advice is timely. It is in the interest of future generations and of our own country.

M.P.S. RANDHAWA, Dhapai (Kapurthala)

The sleaze bomb

This has reference to the article “Sleaze-bomb is ticking: Nation must tackle sex business” by Rami Chhabra (June 7). The writer rightly labels prostitution as sleaze bomb ticking like a time bomb in our midst.

If prostitutes can claim workers’ night, then why not the thieves, dacoits and terrorists all thriving on immoral professions? It is misuse of God-given body and soul, violation of humanity, virtue and holiness. Prostitution is rape where hunger shuts victim’s mouth instead of muscle power. Queen prostitute is neither found in any lexicon nor in any world history.

PRAN SALHOTRA, Gurdaspur

Clash of dates

The dates of the All-India Entrance Test of the Indian Council of Medical Research and another entrance test for Kurukshetra University’s Bachelor

of Education course are clashing. Both tests are due on July 16. If the examinations are not rescheduled, hundreds of students will be deprived of taking both the tests. Hence, this appeal for rescheduling.

HARI KRISHAN SHARMA, Babyal (Ambala)

Image of IAS

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) remains the most prestigious and accomplished wing of the nation. The IAS officers work for the public and they are fully accountable for their acts of omission and commission.

I see nothing wrong with the kind of administrative system that we have at present. The only flaw in the system lies in the corrupt practices that have crept in since long. It is time our administrators worked efficiently and honestly to maintain the image of the IAS.

SAURABH KHULLAR, Shahpur Kandi (Gurdaspur)

Ban on recruitment

For the last four years, the Punjab government has banned recruitment to teaching and non-teaching posts in aided schools. As a result, private schools have come up in cities and towns, adversely affecting the future of thousands of urban poor children. In the aided schools, children study for an affordable price with good results.

If the government cannot establish good schools, then it has no right to ban recruitment in aided schools established by social organisations.

SANJEEV KUMAR, Bathinda

Bose: Demystify the suspense The womb of history conceals innumerable secrets of bygone ages. Three commissions have been constituted to unknot the final fate of Subhash Bose. In August 1945, the Japanese government made a terse announcement that Bose had died in the crash of its bomber in Formosa now Taiwan. The latest report of the Mukherjee Commission contradicting the earlier compounds the mystery. More so, by summary rejection of the same, by the Indian Government without assigning any reason, an arbitrary decision, hurting public psyche, which has borne expenses of the probe bodies. Bose, was a fiery revolutionary undeterred either by Gandhi or the British. Bose’s fate seems to be contained in the cans of the war-time archives of Japan, the US, the UK and British India. Another credible source, to solve the mystery, is the DNA test of the ashes purportedly lying in Japan’s Rankoji Temple. To demystify the suspense, let the GOI publish a white paper on the issue. V.I.K. SHARMA, Jalandhar City