The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Thursday, January 25, 2001,
Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

M A I L B A G

Senior citizens

In other countries, senior citizens and children are given the maximum care. In our country the elders are the worst suffers, sometimes at the hands of their offspring and sometimes the government. What is the use of observing 'Seniors Citizens Day' when they are deprived of their rights by not implementing the recommendations of the Punjab Pay Commission concerning pensioners.

The authorities at the helm of affairs should implement the recommendations without further loss of time as most of the pensioners must be on the last leg of their life's journey. The burden on the exchequer will be meagre.

P. D. JOSHI, Hoshiarpur

Separatist trends

Serial bomb blasts, arms smuggling and circulation of fake currency show beyond any doubt that Pakistan's main aim is not just Kashmir, but the destablisation of India. Unfortunately, any talk of dealing firmly with Pakistan is dubbed as 'communal'. This is an insult to the Muslims of India, who are loyal to the country of their birth.

It must also be accepted that a segment of the Muslim population of India does fall prey to Pakistani propaganda and helps the terrorists. This is not a 'post-Ayodhya' development; it actually predates it. For instance, in 1972, when there were over 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war in India, those who managed to escape would go straight to the nearest mosque for shelter and help.

Separatist tendencies among the Indian Muslims have been nurtured by our own politicians to create their vote banks. It is necessary that those who support and help terrorists are death with an iron hand.

ANIL NAIK, Nasik

Ghalib's haveli

The report "Finally Ghalib reclaims' haveli" (Tribune December 28) was glad tidings for the admirers of the peerless poet.

Mirze Ghalib gave a new direction to Urdu ghazal. His verses touch almost every aspect of life. Even more than 130 years after his death, lovers of poetry read and hear his "kalaam" with relish and give vent to their feelings through his verses.

It is a pity that the Archaeological Survey of India did not care to declare the "haveli" of this unrivaled poet a protected monument to preserve it as part of the country's cultural heritage. The Delhi High Court deserves kudos for directing the Delhi Government to take steps to prevent its deterioration and preserve the structure in its original form.

BHAGWAN SINGH, Qadian

Census duty

Teachers are often put on various duties unconnected with teaching such as elections, preparation of voters identity cards and their distribution, up-dating the electoral rolls, giving polio drops, census duty etc. etc.

The Government must be aware that teaching work is badly affected when teachers are put on such duties. The sufferers are the students. Now the final examinations are approaching and the Government is planning to put teachers on census duty.

The Government should review its decision and engage educated un-employed youths registered with employment exchanges for census duty. This will not only save the loss of students but also help the educated unemployed youths.

S. S. UTREJA, Nangal Township

Dawood's property

The auction of the property of underworld don Dawood Ibahim has failed. Now the Income Tax authorities should take over the building i.e., buy it and set up an office there. This will save time and money being uselessly spent on an auction where there are no takers.

KHUSWANT, Jalandhar