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

Return grabbed lands

The series of reports published in The Tribune shows that Justice Kuldeep Singh has done a tremendous job regarding cases of loot/grab of shamlat and village lands in Punjab. The illegally occupied shamlat /village lands should be returned to the original owners forthwith. A proper scrutiny by a senior district head should be conducted into such cases and the ministry concerned informed. The reports on land grabbing incidents are disheartening as shamlat lands belonging to villagers seem to have been misappropriated without the fear of law.

P.C. Luthra, via email

Act on shamlat findings

The Tribune has proved to be a good friend of the peasantry, panchayats and the common villagers by reporting a series of findings on land grabbing incidents in Punjab. This will go in the history of The Tribune as the most effective coverage on land mafia as well as the nexus among politicians, bureaucrats, police officers and the revenue department right under the nose of the Punjab government, which claims transparent governance.

I salute Justice Kuldip Singh and members of his team for bringing out the truth that had been lying in the grave. The micro-level findings of different village lands along with the scrutiny of the records which had been pushed under the carpet by officials and the system are appreciable. Justice Kuldip Singh has done a commendable job and great service to Punjab. Now, it is the duty of the Punjab government to do justice and punish the guilty. The law should take its course so that people’s confidence is restored in the system.

RS BRAR, Ludhiana

Prioritise court cases

In the courts, while some cases are decided in one or two years, others linger on for decades. At least 50 per cent cases should be heard on the basis of seniority of time. Among the remaining cases, the most important cases and senior citizens’ cases should be heard on priority. Of the senior citizens’ cases, at least 75 per cent should be heard as per their seniority. Only then will the litigants get relief to some extent.

Joginder Singh, Kaithal

Divert trains

Its matter of cheer and pride for the people of the Tricity to get rail connectivity to more destinations. This became possible with the efforts of Pawan Kumar Bansal, whose short stint as Rail Minister proved a blessing for this area. Many new trains have been introduced from Chandigarh in compliance to the Rail Budget.

About 35-odd mail or express trains are running towards Amritsar and Jammu daily on the Ambala-Ludhiana section from different corners of India. As a result, the  section remains oversaturated.  Therefore, out of these, four or  five trains on the Ambala-Ludhiana section could be diverted through the Ambala-Chandigarh-Ludhiana section.

This will give Chandigarh good connectivity to various destinations and the problem of saturated rail tracks would be solved.

M.P. SINGH, Mohali

Retain ‘Thought for Day’

The change in the design of The Tribune pages is welcome, but I miss the column ‘Thought for the Day’. As we come across very few positive things in our daily lives, the ‘Thought for the Day’ was like a silver lining. For a long time, I have been collecting stamps and coins and recently, I had started writing ‘thought for the day’ in my diary. These thoughts by great personalities who have visited this beautiful planet have been very touching, moving and inspiring, and I share them with my family and friends. My request is not to stop this this column.

Harpreet Singh, Ludhiana

Letters to the Editor, typed in double space, should not exceed the 200-word limit. These should be cogently written and can be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribuneindia.com

‘Know thyself’

This with reference to the Thought for the Day (November 7). As a student of philosophy, I think that Socrates never said that he was intelligent. Once when his disciples said: "Master you are the wisest…", the great philosopher responded beautifully, uttering, "I know one thing that I know nothing." Still, his best quote is: "Know thyself."

Sanjeev, Amritsa