M A I L B A G

Punish all the guilty in kidney scam

Aarti Kapur’s piece, “Indian Kidney, Global Trade” (Saturday Extra, Feb 9) was timely. The scandal of this magnitude could not have happened without the indulgence of many transplant surgeons and nephrologists. The renal transplant operation is a highly skilled and labor intensive surgical procedure. It cannot be possible with just the “kingpin” who, in this case, is just an ayurvedic doctor.

There has to be a network of kidney agents, nephrologists and transplant surgeons involved and unless it is probed thoroughly the guilty will again go scot free as in the past. This network has adequate cushioning and camouflage from politicians and people in influential positions.

Unless “unrelated and paid donors” are restricted and closely monitored, cadaver renal transplantation will never take off in our country. The demand for organs exceeds the supply and hence, the temptation is to propagate unrelated and paid organ donors. The government should take stern measures to punish all those involved in the racket.

Dr KIM MAMMEN, Renal Transplant Surgeon, Ludhiana

II

The article exposes glaring loopholes in the law and the state government’s failure to provide easy, early and cheap access for organ transplant. The present system is riddled with corruption and inefficiency.

It is hard to explain how Amit Kumar was able to run such a widespread multimillion dollar kidney trade in the NCR. Clearly, it raises questions about the role of the authorities. The media has done a great service in exposing the scandal.

An impartial inquiry into  the whole scam from Gurgaon  to Amritsar will help identify  the real culprits (including  politicians and bureaucrats) involved in the scandal.

The government should have a core policy making group consisting of experienced grassroots social scientists and health analysts to take steps for overhauling the existing organ transplant and public health system.

Dr VITULL K. GUPTA, Bathinda

Shed prejudice

I read Khushwant Singh’s piece, “Shed prejudice against Islam” (Saturday Extra, Feb 16). One should shed prejudice against any religion. A religion is a division of faith in various sections of humanity accompanied by difference in appearance, dress etc. If every one has the same faith, appearance and name, it would have been difficult for God to count His product, that is humanity, from atop!

While various faiths reflected outwardly by turban, long hair and a veil, a trouser or dhoti add colour to His creation.

MOHINDER BEHL, Gurdaspur

Metro Man

Harihar Swarup’s profile, “Builder of modern marvels” (Perspective, Feb 3) brings into the basic fact that it is not only money which is needed to complete a work rather it is the will of a person who has to perform it. This has been proved by our ‘Metro Man’, Mr E. Sreedharan.

He not only provided Delhi with an efficient public transport system but also proved to be a real Bharat Ratna. One does not require any medal from any government to become a Bharat Ratna; it is the deed of a man which is remembered and not the man himself.

TUSHIMA and ANMOL, Patiala

 

Science City: A fascinating project AJ Philip’s write-up, “Science, not maya” (Spectrum, Feb 17) about the Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala, will go a long way to attract the students, youth, teachers and the common people towards this wonderful world of science. Indeed, Science City imparts both education and entertainment. The functioning of all the projects, as described by the writer, is fascinating. However, the entry fee of Rs 100 for students and Rs 150 for adults is beyond the socio-economic reach of the students belonging to the poor and the marginalised sections of society. The maintenance of Science City should be the the responsibility of both the Centre and the state. There should be no entry fee at all for visiting Science City. This will encourage the inculcation of scientific temper amongst the people, especially the students and the youth. Don’t make the visits to Science City by the poor people out of their reach. But if the rich or other “haves” wish to help Science City in some way, they should be encouraged. On their part, the teachers must take up follow up programmes to keep their own and their students’ spirit of inquiry intact. SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala