Anganwadi workers

Indeed it was shocking to learn that one has to pay to get a job as an anganwadi worker in Punjab. Anganwadi workers extend a helping hand to pregnant women, young mothers and children. Sadly it seems their role exists only on paper. The Punjab Government must wake up and do the needful.

SUBHASH C TANEJA, Rohtak

Security lapse

The finding of a crude bomb aboard a private airlines plane at Thiruvananthapuram is a serious security lapse. Fortunately, the lapse did not cause any harm. Steps should be taken to identify the culprits and they should be pursued and punished. The security officials should be trained to be more alert and vigilant to avoid such security lapses.

  MOHAMMED SADULLAH KHAN, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Patar’s achievement

It is heartening to know that Dr Surjit Patar has dedicated his award to “the tradition of poetry and language” (Nonika Singh’s article, “Caught in ethical tension”, March 24). Patar has been awarded the Saraswati Samman 2009 for his book Lafzaan di Dargah, which was published in 2003. Punjabi writers Dr Haribhajan Singh and Dr Dalip Kaur Tiwana have been awarded Saraswati Samman earlier, which makes him the third Punjabi writer to get this award.

Patar has written many books like Hawa Vich Likhe Harf , Birkh Arz Kare , Hanere Vich Sulagdi Varnmala, Sadi Deeyan Tarkalan , Patjhar di Pazeb and Surzameen . His book Hawa Vich Likhe Harf was highly appreciated. Punjabis should feel proud of his achievement.

M L GARG, Chandigarh

Great academician

The news report “Prof Amrik Singh dead” and the obituary, “An academician par excellence” (March 24) by Roopinder Singh, saddened me. For the first time, in 1981-82, when I was conducting research under the supervision of Professor Alice Jacob at the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi, I came across a book written by Dr Amrik Singh and Dr ON Sangha. Thereafter, I read several books and met Prof Amrik Singh too in Association of Indian Universities (AIU) Library building.

I met and heard him thereafter at various seminars in different part of the country. Undoubtedly he was a great academician.

OM PARKASH WADHWA, Rohtak

No need for sahayaks

To Col M S Behl’s (retd) letter (March 15) I would like to add that the sahayak is not a link between the officer’s residence and the office for communication of messages and files.

Sahayaks are actually domestic servants in uniform. They do all odd jobs that are not in conformity with the dignity and self-respect of soldiers. In my opinion, the sahayak system should be immediately abolished in the Army.