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Removal of names from blacklist

The editorial “No more on blacklist: Green signal to ex-militants” (May 17) takes a balanced view of the removal of names of former militants from the blacklist. The best thing that will come out of this magnanimous gesture of the government will be their visit to their former homes and hearths and a pilgrimage of the Golden Temple.

While on their visit to their respective areas, they will be able to interact with the local residents. They will also like to gauge the pulse of the people. Dr Jagjit Singh, at one time the foremost protagonist of the movement for a separate state, while living in exile in England was under the impression that a majority of the Sikh population in Punjab wanted an independent Khalistan. But on return to his homeland, he discovered that the demand for Khalistan was too feeble in his home state.

When these former militants return to their homes, they will find the people more or less satisfied with the current democracy. That impression will mellow them down substantially. I know at least one person, Ganga Singh Dhillon, who wants to visit Punjab. He is a much-changed man now. Such people will be able to visit their homes and seek solace from their visits. Some may decide to live on in Punjab, the land of their birth.

HARJAP SINGH AUJLA, New Jersey, USA

II

The decision of the government to remove the names of 142 wanted persons from the blacklist is welcome. The Khalistani movement in the Western countries is almost dead. The persons in the blacklist have become mature enough and are leading peaceful lives. But they wish to visit their homeland. Hence the decision of the government deserves appreciation and praise.

Dr AMAR JIT SINGH GORAYA, Griffith NSW, Australia

Petrol price hike

The recent unprecedented hike in petrol prices has disturbed everybody. The image of the Centre is otherwise also at the lowest ebb due to failure in curbing price rise, rising unemployment, wide economic disparities, major financial scams and inefficiency (editorial, “Why petrol price hike: Need to understand oil politics”, May 17). The Union Government has a reasonable excuse to justify the increase in petroleum prices due to sharp increase in crude oil prices in the international market.

JASWANT SINGH GILL, Ludhiana

Education mess

The editorial “The rot deepens” (May 18) rightly castigated the authorities responsible for creating an educational mess. The concluding line “A Punjab minister has got transferred an inconvenient but upright IAS officer who tried to stop the rot in Punjab’s education” tells the SAD (pun intended) story in its true perspective.

The reason for a phenomenal and sudden rise of remote and backward Bathinda, which was earlier popular only for being the largest consumer of alcohol in India, as an educational hub of Punjab can now be explained well.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

II

It is shame on the part of educationists to allow mass copying at Bhatinda Engineering College (news report, May 17). Barring the college from conducting from various tests is not in the interest of the students rather severe and exemplary punishment to those involved will send out the right message.

HARISH DIDO, Chandigarh.

Joy of giving The middle “The pleasures of giving” (May 17) by Jupinderjit Singh was interesting. In today’s materialistic world nobody bothers about others’ welfare. It is a fact that helping a needy person gives one immense pleasure. Helping others is a satisfying act and a step towards spirituality. It brings us closer to Almighty. Serving mankind is a way of serving God. Charity is a value that is fading fast in today’s world. This is perhaps the basic value which needs to be inculcated in childhood. In old times sadhus  used to gather bhiksha from prosperous households. Sending back a bhiksha seeker empty-handed was unheard of. It was a habit that children emulated from their elders automatically. Small acts of assisting genuine cases in cash or kind never go unrewarded. ANITA KATARIA, Patiala