L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Vital elements of being an Indian

In the article, “Narrow proclamations of identity” (Perspective, Feb 21), Sajla Chawla did a fine job in dismissing the cocoon-like definitions of our “identity”. We Indians are crazy about soothsayers and godmen. We spend more time in prayers, ritual ceremonies and listening to religious discourses than those abroad.

As masters of improvisation, we barter old clothes for new utensils. We love to bargain irrespective of the ‘fixed price’ brands. Bending rules, jumping traffic signals, hooting horns and playing loudspeaker come naturally to us.

We are the most talkative people in the world. Extremely gregarious, we are known for our easy and open nature. We are experts of emotional manifestation and old hands at making a public display of grief.

GAURAV JULKA, Ferozepur City

In bad shape

I read Prabhjot Singh’s article, “Why is hockey ailing?” (Sunday Oped, March 21). India is really in bad shape in World Cup hockey. It should have won the World Cup in India held after 28 years.

Admittedly, we were not serious about the Cup. Worse, we could not even form a proper committee.

I endorse the view of Olympian Aslam Sher Khan that senior players must be inducted in the panel. Needless to say, honest and competent persons should be inducted in the team. Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill, who is honest and seasoned bureaucrat, must act and save Hockey India.

O.P. GARG, Patiala

Save the tiger

The article, “Tiger: On the verge of extinction” (Perspective, March 21) by Lt-Gen Baljit Singh (retd) was timely. Our national animal is on the verge of extinction. We have very few tigers today. Are the authorities controlling our forest reserves trustworthy or not? It is our moral duty to save the tiger.

We have lost a huge forest cover. The government should ensure that our wildlife and forest resources are not plundered by the forest mafia.

AJAYVIR SINGH, Patiala

Selecting judges

The appointment of the judges must be transparent and only competent and efficient persons should be appointed as judicial officers. Judicial probity is closely linked with proper appointment of judges. The health of the judiciary depends on the persons appointed as judges.n

G.D. GUPTA, Jagadhri (Haryana)

Women deserve equal rights and privileges  The Tribune’s Spectrum (March 7) was thoughtfully planned and creatively conceived as the feature “Second Season” by Chetna Keer Banerjee, the meaningful book reviews, including “Cloistered in their world” by Kanwalpreet, “Newsmakers” by Humra Quaraishi and “Standing tall amidst men” by Nonika Singh, focused on the hopes, aspirations and problems of women of Punjab and Bundelkhand in particular. We, as a big nation, have to be gender-sensitive and mentally prepared to accept women as equal human beings with equal rights and privileges. The Centre and the states and our society as a whole have to create such positive circumstances which encourage women to challenge the age-old negative social taboos and assumptions which have impeded their socio-economic and political progress for centuries. Unfortunately, we wish to see women only as ideal mothers, sisters and wives and still seem to be hostile to their equal share in the ancestral property and democratic discourse on running our households. The success story of the Women’s Reservation Bill is going to inspire the women of the whole country, but unless they are actively involved in all the productive works which men have been doing for ages, their actual empowerment will remain a far cry. On the whole,Spectrum (March 7) was a purposeful exercise in strengthening pro-people journalism. RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad