The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Letters to the Editor

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Farmers should get remunerative prices

This refers to the thoughtful and convincing editorial, “Food inflation: Crisis in agriculture needs to be addressed” (October 31). The Tribune has rationally questioned the Union Food Minister’s argument that the “changing food habits and increasing purchasing power” were the crucial factors responsible for the double-digit food inflation.

The food inflation has disturbingly registered an upward trend from 10.6 per cent on October 8 to 11.42 per cent for the week ended October 15. Vegetables have become dearer by 25 per cent, fruits by 11.96 per cent, milk by 10.85 per cent and eggs, meat and fish by 12.82 per cent.

The Tribune justifiably reminds the Centre of the Arjun Sengupta Committee’s popularly quoted report which finds 77 per cent of our really poor people trying pathetically to survive in this world on Rs 20 per day. The Reserve Bank of India has revised its interest rates 13 times since March 2011. Now, the RBI Governor is in a dilemma as to how to strike the much-needed balance between inflation and growth.

I support the argument that the crisis in agriculture must be addressed to ensure regular supply of vegetables and pulses. The government must give liberal help to farmers to increase their per acre production of different crops and they must get remunerative prices for their produce in time.

Dr RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

Women prefer husbands

In his middle, “Of men and husbands” (October 15), Mahesh Grover profusely quoted from ‘Oxford Dictionary of Quotations and Proverbs’ to give prominence to a woman’s perception of man “as a man” and “as a husband” in order to deflate the bloated ego of man.

Women, generally speaking, want nothing but husbands and when they have them, they want everything.

“No matter how liberated she is, every woman still wants a husband,” says PJO’ Rourke.

“The women — one half the human race at least — care fifty times more for a marriage than a ministry,” feels Walter Bagehot.

‘Karva Chauth’ or no ‘Karva Chauth’, wives do care and pray for their husbands’ welfare and long life, and the husbands should reciprocate their wives’ love and affection.

Over the years, ‘Karva Chauth’ has become a sort of ritual and an ostentatious custom. Several women, all over India, do not observe ‘Karva Chauth’. But they do care about, hold dear and prize their men. Rather they crave to be loved by their men.

“The perpetual hunger to be beautiful and that thirst to be loved which is the real curse of Eve,” says Jean Rhys.

The bond between man and woman has been there since time immemorial and will remain there in times to come with a little aberration here and there.

“Difficult or easy, pleasant or bitter, you are the same you. I cannot live with you — or without you,” says Martial.

In fact, woman and man can’t do without each other.

TARSEM S BUMRAH, Batala

Population explosion

The editorial, “Seven billionth baby: Time to tackle demographic dilemmas” (October 29), highlighting the problem of unprecedented baby-boom hanging over the country is thought-provoking and most timely.

The speed at which the population in the country is growing, India’s population would touch 161 crore mark by 2041, and by 2060, the country would earn the dubious distinction of being the most populous nation of the world. Under the circumstances, the lurking “population bomb” is bound to explode very soon. This will happen unless concrete steps are taken to meet the challenge posed by the explosive situation.

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

Indians in Iraq

It makes us sad to know about the plight of 8,000 Indians, who find themselves in trouble in Iraq (Quest for greener pastures leaves 8,000 Indians stranded in Iraq, November 1). These Indians, mostly youngsters, went to Iraq in search of lucrative jobs. They did not know what fate had in store for them. We, as parents, should respect the aspirations of our children. But we should not allow them to take any step which lands them in trouble. I have always believed that our youths should be encouraged to remain and work in India. It is better to create jobs in our own country. I agree we have to face many problems in India. But isn’t our country better than several other countries? If corruption prevails in India, we are hopeful that if we all continue to fight against it, we will succeed in getting rid of corruption. It may take time, but we will definitely succeed.

The government should also take steps to generate more employment. This can happen if the economic environment in the country is favourable for private investments.

We have to change our mindset. If problems exist in India, they exist elsewhere also. Zoravar and other para-legal volunteers are right when they say, “One’s identity is in one’s own country. Be the master of your own destiny in your country, instead of being just another faceless slave.”

NIKHIL YADAV, Ludhiana

Transforming students

This refers to the article, “They went to pupils’ homes and got them out of bed” (November 1). If teachers begin to inspire their students the way Rachel de Souza did for the students of Costessey secondary school in Norwich, things are going to change everywhere. An initiative of this kind would help in transforming students. They would learn to become responsible citizens.

Some of our own schools, where students are not eager to study, need such an initiative. Mahatma Gandhi always wanted to set an example for his students when he was a teacher. Initially, students may not like the teacher and his/her innovative way of teaching. But if the teacher is committed and works relentlessly for the welfare of students, he/she succeeds in winning their hearts and minds. If students find that their teacher loves them and genuinely wants them to grow, they won’t mind working hard.

RAJINDER SINGH, Ambala

Kabaddi’s future

We are happy to see the growing popularity of kabaddi in India (Kabaddi WC: Soaring demand for passes, transport, November 1). It is not true to say that people like to watch cricket only. If organisers of other sports do their job well and the government encourages them, they would also become popular.

GAUTAM SHARMA, Chandigarh