We, the habitual shirkers!

APROPOS of "Everytime is holiday time" (February 7) by H.L. Kumar, it is really ironical that we, the people from the land of the Bhagavadgita which propagated Karma, shirk responsibility. We believe in enjoying more time in worklessness. The nation has incurred a colossal loss due to the plethora of holidays. Economic activity comes to a grinding halt when banks are closed for days at a stretch. Since our politico-administrative set-up does not encourage accountability, productivity remains at its lowest. We lack in national work-culture, which is further aggravated by the trade-union interference. The following measurers can help to reverse the trend of lethargy and shirking of work.

Except the three national holidays on January 26, August 15 and October 2, all gazetted holidays should be scrapped. The employees be allowed 15 days of casual leave, instead of the eight days recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission. However, to discourage their utilisation, the number of unutilised holidays should be encashable.

We should revert to the old practice for the six-day-week. The daily working hours should be from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

To ensure accountability, it should be mandatory (and not at the discretion of the officer-in-charge) for an employee to explain in writing any delay, which should thoroughly be assessed. The practice of overtime should be done away with in offices and banks where fixed public hour schedules are observed.

Productivity suffers not because of lack of staff but because of over-staffing. Empty hands create more hurdles that others can resolve. Creation of new posts should be need-based and not due to political factors, so as to accommodate certain sections of society.

VED GULIANI

Hisar

Right writer

This refers to Adil Jussawalla’s article, "The right way to write" (February 7). A writer is busy even when he is not writing. One cannot immediately produce prose out of nothing on a blank paper. Ideas are generated when a writer interacts in society. These threads of ideas are, other further clothed in the surface structure of words and sentences. The cognitive processing that is required during writing, ensures a deeper processing of the concepts of the people and more connection of the new information with the knowledge we already have in our memory. This task, of course, is not that easy as the writer thinks it is.

VIVEK SINH MARGIRAN

Kurukshetra

Bridging the gap

This refers to the article "Bridging the gap between aspiration and achievement" by T.G.L. Iyer (January 24).

Without peace of mind, we can’t do anything. People fret over minor matters. It can be insulting remarks or indecent behaviour which keeps on haunting us. We are not in a position to concentrate on our work. Because of this we commit mistakes at workplace or quarrel with our boss, peers, or subordinates. With a chain of bad reactions, and we find overselves getting more and more tense.

If somebody says something that hurts us, there is no need to react in the same fashion. If you find that the shortcoming pointed out by the other person is actually there in you, try to correct it and be thankful to that person. If you find his remarks irrelevant, don’t waste your time and energy.

No body can hurt your feelings unless and until you allow others to do so. Be positive to yourself and to others and then see the joys of living.

MUNISH BAHL

Panchkula

II

Stress can be due to various factors like, the inability to be a successful person in this competitive era, overpowering enemies, disharmony in relations, bad working conditions, low pay according to work, pressure of work, family or job problems etc. While stress can’t be totally avoided, it can be minimised if we remember and follow following points in our life.

The best way to win an argument is to avoid it. The best way to win an enemy is to befriend him. All days are not equal in life. Even while walking a hill, slopes do come in the way. If we manage to get a lemon, in place of an orange, it is better to make lemonade than to cry for an orange. Nagging and fault-finding are never good for health.

It is better to adopt a thankful attitude than to complain habitually. "Life is what our thoughts make it. An enthusiastic approach towards working life is better than an attitude of procrastination. The great things in our life are the little things which we do for others. True happiness lies not in receiving but in giving. A good deed a day, keeps tension away.

ANUP K. GAKKHAR

Jalandhar

Distinctive style

Abhilaksh Likhi’s article, "A filmmaker with a distinctive style (January 17) was interesting. Rajkumar Santoshi is, indeed, one of the most creative directors of recent times. Even though excessive violence in movies makes me sick, I loved watching Ghayal and Ghatak despite their gory contents. Surely, it takes a director of Santoshi’s calibre to make even detestable things lovable.

By the way, the writer of the article, while listing and analysing Santoshi’s films, has left out Barsaat. The theme of this movie was love and romance revolving round the debut-makers Bobby Deol and Twinkle Khanna.

SURENDRA MIGLANI

Kaithal