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Babus shouldn’t have language barrier

Allowing aspirants to take the Civil Services exam in regional languages doesn’t mean any disservice to the English language. It is also not going to create the so-called divide between “India and Bharat”.

The Constitution of India recognises a number of regional languages, which find place in the 8th Schedule. Nearly 70 per cent Indians live in the rural areas and a large number of them do not understand English. Therefore, a bureaucrat, who has to serve the rural people, must understand their language along with English for better governance. Only English-speaking bureaucrats having an urban background will not be in a position to serve the people due to lack of proper communication.

PURAN SINGH, Nilokheri

Shameful act

The recent MMS of TV actress Mona Singh that has gone viral once again shows the dirty attitude of people towards women, who are treated as sex objects.

Celebrities are soft targets because of their mass appeal. All these absurd acts are only spoiling India’s reputation, which has taken a hit after the Delhi gang-rape case. The authorities should take strict action and award exemplary punishment to those responsible for crime against women.

AANCHAL TANGRI, Panchkula

RANJIT K. CHANDAN, Balachaur

Crime against women

This refers to the editorial ‘Rapists progress’ (March 30). We have sufficient and stringent laws already in place to deal with crime against women. It’s the improper implementation of such laws due to which crime against the fairer sex are on a rise. The projects like 'Safe City' need to be extended to other geographical locations. On a national level, the government should ensure that every police station in the country has a policewoman. Also, there is an immediate need to deal more sensitively with rape victims. Once implemented, such projects should be monitored on a time-to-time basis.

KSHITIJ GUPTA, Narwana

Chandigarh model

Varun Suthra, in his Middle on March 30, has aptly narrated the rather ‘alien’ experience of ‘skilled’, ‘licensed’ and adventurous drivers hailing from Punjab or adjoining states when they take to the smooth, spacious and 'unfriendly' roads of Chandigarh or have to face the polite, well-mannered yet firm police there. In his inimitable way, the writer has satirised VVIPs, including the MLAs and ministers, who don't allow the police to function in Punjab cities and lose no opportunity to meddle in their professional duties and sometimes even get them transferred. In Chandigarh, there is no interference and it results in stress-free monitoring and reduced fatalities on the road. This success secret of Chandigarh traffic police deserves to be publicised and emulated. It is guaranteed to work.

MOHAN SINGH, Amritsar

Solid steps at BRICS summit With reference to the editorial, ‘Cementing BRICS: Summit promises institutions’ (March 30), I would like to add that the emergence of BRICS is going to strike the much-needed balance in the international politics. The five countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have taken the right step to create a common development bank. The logic is sound: The West-dominated World Bank and the IMF lend money on very harsh conditions and insist on following their questionable growth strategy. This strategic decision will immensely benefit the people of these five countries as the trade within this specific group will go up. It will also give a big fillip to infrastructural projects and generate a sense of unity among the nations, which wish to preserve democracy and oppose the growing hegemony of American imperialism in the world. It is a matter of great satisfaction that our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been an active participant in such international meets of great significance. Dr RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

Retirement age

This refers to the letter ‘Retirement age’ (March 25) by RNS, seeking a raise in the retirement age of teachers in Haryana. The idea is against public interest. There aren’t many jobs in the market and the youth can get employment only after the elders retire and vacancies are created. So, by delaying the retirement age, we reduce the chances of the youngsters to find jobs on time. This delays their settlement in life. The unemployed and unsettled youths tend to indulge in unsocial activities. Therefore, the Central and state governments should not consider the demand for increasing the retirement age.

KL NOATAY, Shimla

Battling old age

The middle ‘Getting over testing time’ (March 11) by Pritam Bhullar was a good read. I do agree with the writer on the frailties concomitant with old age. Just as a famous saying goes: Three gifts of old age – ills, pills and bills.

Unfortunately, in our country, there are no proper social as well as economic security systems in place for the aged and senior citizens. Most of the elderly have to depend on their children. An aged person feels more secure and comfortable in a joint family, which, sadly, is a rapidly vanishing system. One also finds solace in the company of children and grandchildren. Still, the feeling of loneliness never fails to overpower a person at the fag-end of his life.

HAR KULDIP SINGH BHATIA, Jalandhar

Child exploitation

Child labour remains a blot on the face our country even after 65 years of Independence. The government has failed to take appropriate steps to stop this abhorrent practice. Poverty-stricken children are used as slaves by the rich and powerful. These budding flowers hardly get a chance to bloom. They are crushed the moment they step out of the cradle. They are still used as slaves by the rich and powerful. They are also beaten up mercilessly and even sexually abused by their ‘masters’. Lax laws are only adding to their woes.

AS ARORA, Jalandhar