Urban land & housing problem

THE government has taken the right decision in repealing the Urban Land (Ceiling & Regulations) Act, 1976, through an Ordinance. This Act was introduced with a lot of fanfare and tall claims in the name of distribution of urban land among the poorest people of the country. It worked as a vote-catching device to the then government whereas in practical life this Act did more harm to the country than doing any good. Corruption had spread all around, and the service class had become rich overnight because of this negative legislation.

Since the land freezed under the Act now stand available to society, guidelines for its proper utilisation are yet to be given by the government.

We need a sound housing policy. There should be wider roads sufficient to take the load of traffic after another 100 years. Every complex should be a self-supporting unit, properly served by a nearby market with modern facilities. Playgrounds for children, proper parking facilities, a common aerial view and comfortable living should be taken into consideration.

The concept of living in flats is to be promoted since the total land available is limited. Promoting its vertical use is the only solution.

S.R. MITTAL
Ludhiana

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In the name of MES

The MES is responsible for construction and maintenance of buildings and other installations at military stations and cantonments all over the country.

Almost every day newspapers carry one or more advertisements on behalf of garrison and chief engineers inviting quotations for undertaking such work. But it is disconcerting to see these advertisements that give six different names of this organisation — Military Engineer Service, Military Engineer Services, Military Engineers Service, Military Engineers Services, Military Engineering Service and Military Engineering Services.

Sometimes two advertisements published side by side give different versions of the MES. Since these advertisements are released through the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity it would be easy to maintain uniformity by giving the correct name of such an important organisation — Military Engineering Services.

RAJENDER SHARMA
Chandigarh

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Save the sublimity of music

Music is a wonderful art. Even the newborn babe feels the soothing effect to the lullaby. Music accompanies all social events, whether marriage or funeral, religious or community fete, war or peace. It lifts us out of the individual self, rescues us from vulgarity, and takes us to a higher ethical plane. It transcends national boundaries, and elevates us to the global plane. So, it can be the panacea, to unite this battling world, and spread the message of love and peace.

But a corrupt and rich class, which pays for most of those writers and musicians, aided by see-through female dancers, is squeezing out all seriousness and sublimity of this art. Even good musicians have reduced themselves to the position of vassals of vice and vulgarity. Currently all our political and economic institutions have fostered musical vice and vulgarity, causing a cultural slide.

The modern music merchandise, accompanied by the dancing of scantily-clad glamour girls, is not only ignoble but also poisonous, because it is divorced from ethics. Such lustful music has driven away its sublimity and solemnity, and made it sensational, sensual and violent, creating unrest in society. In consequence, we are submerging in a sink of vice and vulgarity, sleaze and crime, whether at home or at public places.

In our own interest, we should not shut our ears to what is being sung, near and around us. The double-meaning dialogue, decadent numbers, melody and dancing have lost the touch of social roots, and degenerated. The sensual crowd that is innovating new forms of carnal coquetry, and throwing at us vulgar tones and undertones of mercenary music, must not be allowed to use DD as its megaphone to spread vice and vulgarity in society.

B.C. MAKHAIK
Shimla

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Contemptuous behaviour

This has reference to the news-item "CM's convoy bullies family on road" (The Tribune, Jan 31). It is a very shocking incident and shows the contempt in which the so-called VIPs and the police hold an ordinary citizen. The syndrome of security guards and escort vehicles has percolated down not only to district-level officers but also to municipal commissioners. It is amazing that the Chief Minister of a state on the brink of bankruptcy should think of travelling with a cavalcade of five vehicles. When Chief Ministers fail to set examples, lesser officials cannot be refrained from indulging in similar extravagant displays.

In no other democracy in the world would such a contemptuous behaviour of a politician towards the public, and the questionable conduct of the police be tolerated. It does call for the severest disciplinary action against the offending policeman and the driver of the escort vehicle which tried to roll over Maj-Gen (retd) Grewal's car. Since this is not the first incident of its type, the officer in-charge of the security staff needs to be hauled over the coals.

The so-called VIPs too should have some consideration for the other users of the road. The shock and trauma delivered to the small children will perhaps have a lasting psychological effect. The only redeeming feature of this sordid incident is the telephone call from the Chief Minister to the retired officer expressing regret over the police behaviour.

Lieut-Col J.S. SANDHU
Chandigarh