M A I L B A G

Dr Ranawat and India

IT is surprising that Dr Ranawat, a brilliant student, who was rejected in India, has become a top US surgeon. Even more surprising is that instead of being sorry, we rush to remind the world that this stalwart owes his success to India and not to the USA. Since he was born in India, so he is our “dear Ranawat”.

We forget to mention that there are thousands of Ranawats whom we are disappointing every year just because they have no hold on the system. Whenever something worthwhile happens we lose no time in finding its roots in India and call them “our Ranawat” and “our Kalpana”.

What right have we got to call them ours? A strange duality indeed! I think it is nice of the USA to recognise the contribution made by Indians to their country. Can we do the same? Can we, for example, admit that English people gave us railways, education and legal systems that are still operating as such and that we have failed even to modify these systems to suit our needs. Perhaps, we can’t.

Mr Ranawat should thank God that he was not swallowed by our monster of corruption. Otherwise he would not have got the opportunity to examine the knee of Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Joga Singh
Kurukshetra

Language policy

This refers to the news report regarding the celebration of Hindi Week by different Central Government institutions and banks. The Government of India has declared Hindi as its Rajbhasha (Official Language).

According to the Rajbhasha implementation policy, which is applicable to all the Central Government employees, institutions, offices, undertakings, banks, etc, it is mandatory that all the letters addressed to them in Hindi should be replied in Hindi. But the bitter truth is that many offices and employees do not follow this policy, and several even go to the extent of flouting these instructions.

Here I am quoting an instance. My father, who was a retired employee of the State Bank of India, sent some letters about his medical bills addressed in Hindi to the Regional Office-II, State Bank of India, Chandigarh. But this office replied to his letters in English instead of Hindi vide its letter No 7210 dated 13.2.1999 and No 2304 dated 6.7.1999. By doing so it not violated the instructions as given in the Rajbhasha implementation policy? If yes, can we expect from such an administrative office, under which thousands of branches of the bank are working, any action against any branch violating the above mentioned policy?

This is one example only. There are several offices and employees who continue to violate the Rajbhasha implementation policy, but there is no action forthcoming against them. In such a situation, declaring Hindi as Rajbhasha will be a mere declaration. To make Hindi actually Rajbhasha, it requires to be made a usage language in everyday life, and strict action should be taken against those flouting the implementation policy.

R. K. ARORA
Amritsar

NSC nominee

We were surprised to read “Apex court errs on who inherits” (25.9.2000). The Supreme Court’s judgement in the Khanchandani case, holding that the nominee for a National Saving Certificate, much like the nominee of a life insurance policy, is not entitled to succeed the amount payable to him thereunder but only holds the same for the benefit of those who succeed it under the law of succession, deserves to be complimented.

A nominee is “a person of trust” appointed to receive the money on the death of the appointee and is accountable to the successors of the person who made the nomination. The only purpose of nomination is that it ensures quick payment. Deriving a personal benefit need not be the sole consideration for acting as a nominee. The consideration is the mutual trust between a nominee and his appointee.

The Government Savings Certificates Act, 1959, has not been enacted to create any statutory testament. The language of Section 6 shows over-anxiety for the absolute protection of the paying authority from the heirs in accordance with the law of succession governing them, rather than create any statutory testament in favour of the nominee. It cannot override the applicable law of succession.

The Supreme Court’s verdict is praiseworthy.

NARINDER KHOSLA
and S. K. GOYAL
Chandigarh

Governor’s visit to village

On September 27 the Governor of Punjab, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob, visited Gurdaspur’s border areas and a village. His main concern was district development, education, computer education, sports and playgrounds, drinking water and such other basic needs.

He was face to face with teachers, villagers, farmers, children and the common man. Returning from Gahlari village on seeing a board “English Medium Primary School”, he suddenly stopped his cavalcade and talked to the students of the school and those returning from the college. Security and sycophancy were his little concerns. In a short time he made a big impact on the population.

Lieut-Col M. S. BEHL (retd)
Gurdaspur

Reduction in STD tariff

The proposed reduction in the STD tariff from 8 per cent to 33 per cent depending upon the distance of the call is a good step and TRAI indeed deserves appreciation from all telephone users for this gesture of kindness. At the same time, rentals and local calls left untouched.

A little understanding will reveal that a reduction in tariff is going to benefit only the business community, as its members are the major users of this facility for business transactions. This means another soap by the government for all business houses. In other words, the government has rewarded the businessmen for their loyalty, and contributions made to their funds while fighting various elections.

This tariff reduction is of no use to the common man. If the government is really interested in providing relief to the consumer, first it should reduce the monthly/bi-monthly rentals, increase the number and duration of local calls and thereafter consider an STD tariff reduction. This has clearly shown that the BJP government is dominated by businessmen and is not concerned about the masses in general.

The leaders of the ruling party must realise that it is the public which has decorated them with these high offices. If they are unable to change their approach, the public will be forced to change their leader during the next election.

A. P. BHARDWAJ
Chandigarh