Well done, Nisha: The letter was really an apt sketch of corruption in our education, social and administrative system. If this is the treatment meted out to a topper of the most prestigious university of our region, then God only is a saviour of the other not so brilliant students.

Courageous people like Nisha have taken the bold step of exposinge problems faced by us youth. The history of our own northern region is a witness to the uncontrollable proportions the problem of unemployment assumes. This has been one of the prime reasons why our youths have been forced in the past to hold the gun instead of the pen. Now our decision-makers should leave no stone unturned in bringing the guilty to justice and in getting the rightful dues to the bold and the brilliant like Nisha.

ANANT DHUPAR, Shimla

Don't pay bribes: The Tribune deserves all the praise for printing the letter. As an observer from a distance who frequently visits India, I am disgusted at the rise in corruption, which under the present government has reached an all-time high.

The predicament of the author, rather than an exception, has become a rule in the land of Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas and Bhagat Singh.

Instead of paying bribes for securing jobs, people should follow the example of Nisha Kaura, and publications like The Tribune should keep on providing them space to air their views.

PARAMJIT BAHIA, UK

Well done: Hitherto, it was a talk of the town and considered to be political propaganda against the present Punjab Government that the posts from the level of peon to DSP are for sale in Punjab, but today a brave daughter of Punjab has dared to bring in black and white in the shape of an open letter to her grandpa (Mr Badal) asking him to lend her Rs 2 lakh for paying bribe to the agents of the government for her appointment to the post of primary school teacher. (No doubt she has the qualifications for the post of lecturer).

I fear she may have to face the odds for her straightway writing, but she has paved the path for the youth to highlight corrupt practices of the representatives of the people. Congratulations to this brave daughter of Punjab.

P.N. GUPTA, Sangrur

Catch the agent: To publish such a scandalous letter without positive proof in an esteemed paper like The Tribune is very unfortunate. The agent demanding Rs 2 lakh from the candidate for a JBT post cannot be unknown to Nisha and if he escapes punishment, it is derogatory for the government. If the author of the letter bluffs, she needs to be taken to task.

DURGA DATTA SHARMA, Abohar

Party fund: I am writing this from my personal experience. In December 2001, my wife was to appear in an interview for the post of draughtsman at Chandigarh. After countless efforts, I felt very lucky that I was able to approach a member of the ruling group. I was told: "Bhai Sahib, get a parchi, kam tuhada ho jaiega, tin lakh lagange" I was shocked to hear all this and expressed my helplessness to give bribe. I was told that this was not a bribe, "election sir te aa gaye han, eh taan party fund hai".

SURINDER SINGH, Kharar.

Another sufferer: My son is also a sufferer like Nisha Kaura. He had cleared the written test for the post of Panchayat Secreatry. We were shocked to learn that candidates with much lower qualifications were offered appointment letters. Despite being an M.A. and holding two professional diplomas, he was not considered fit for one of the 900 posts of Panchayat Secretary for which even matriculates were eligible.

JASVIR SINGH, Patiala

A slap: The letter is a slap on the face of the system. Punjab is not the only state to be so inflicted. Many other states are in the same rut.

R.N. PAL, Hisar

Fabricated?: The letter appears to be febricated. It is a well-known fact that the selection of T.G.T. & J.B.T. teachers is based on the B.Sc & B.Ed. marks. The high percentage of marks obtained in M.Sc cannot be counted for merit. The candidate has not even mentioned the basic degrees essential for the selection. So the claim of high merit does not carry any weight.

ONKAR SINGH, Patiala

An ambiguity: By publishing the letter, I think you have done injustice to the ruling alliance without ascertaining whether Nisha Kaura is a qualified teacher or simply she has acquired 83 per cent marks in her M.Sc (Chemistry) examination. The name of the middle man between the candidates and the culprit minister should be published in the interest of the public.