However, this one-way traffic is not a good decision. Sad to say, traffic challans are issued to parents who fail to follow the one-way traffic. Instead of challaning them, the traffic police should educate them and help ease congestion on the road. Also, there is no proper signboard indicating one-way traffic on the road.

Moreover, the teaching staff and students of the Teachers Training Institute and the Institute for Blind also face problems due to the one-way traffic. The traffic police should help the parents, students and commuters pass this stretch easily.

DR MANDEEP PRAKASH, Chandigarh

Dengue menace

Dengue cases are rising in Chandigarh and other cities. But the health authorities at the state and Central levels are doing nothing to check the spread of this deadly disease. Moreover, owing to lack of medical facilities in civil hospitals people often prefer private hospitals that are very costly and unaffordable for poor people. A precautionary measure like house-to-house spray during each season can control the mosquitoes that spread this disease.

KAMALJIT MALWA, Mansa

Submarine tragedy

That explosions on the INS Sindhurakshak led to the death of 18 sailors as well as loss to the tune of crores of rupees is shocking. Special navy officers and scientists should work together to find the reason. The government should grant funds for R&D. A regular monitoring of navy ships and submarines is necessary. The lifespan of a submarine must be specified after which it must be discarded.

SANDEEP SINGH, Hoshiarpur

Secular polity

This refers to the article 'Threats to secular polity' (August 14). Religion is not only an opiate of the masses but also a vehicle for achieving the seat of power and wealth. Countless empires have been built/ destroyed in the name of religion. Intoxicated by religious fanaticism, humans lose humanity and slaughter, torture, burn alive fellow humans. We saw this happen in 1947.

The holocaust of Partition could have been averted had both the parties agreed to the exchange of population under British supervision before Independence. The purpose of religion is to cleanse oneself of all social, moral and other evils. Forgetting religious animosities, every Indian should do his best to usher in the "Ram Rajya" of Bapu Gandhi's dreams.

SS BENIWAL, Chandigarh

Golden Forests

Sahara is facing contempt proceedings for failing to comply with SC orders to refund investors' money. Sahara may get some punishment under the contempt law but will the investors get back their money? Golden Forests lured gullible investors with the false promise of high returns. In 2003-04, the Supreme Court appointed a committee to auction the properties of Golden Forests and distribute the proceeds among the investors. Ten years have gone by, but the outcome is still eluding.

One feels that commissions or committees are not keen on completing their task quickly as that would bring their pay and perks to an early end. I think we should stop paying them the salaries once they fail to deliver within the stipulated time-frame.

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), Jalandhar

Train mishap

The editorial 'Pilgrims' untimely end' (August 21)' (August 20) rightly holds the Railways responsible for the rail tragedy in Bihar. Extra care should have been taken by the railway authorities in view of the religious occasion to avoid the loss of human lives. Some 15,000 people, other than passengers, lose their lives at unmanned railway crossings and in other accidents. For all the Railways is responsible.