M A I L B A G

Who cares for Punjab?

Hari Jaisingh’s front-page editorial “Who cares for Punjab”? (Oct 22) succeeds in thwarting the rhetorical attempts of a frustrated Opposition to generate a mass protest in Punjab and may even force the thick-skinned to do some soul-searching and leave their vested interests for the sake of the state.

The editorial has been planned, penned and published at the exact moment when the masses to be led (or misled?) are yet in the process of making up their minds and its impact may awaken their better sense to prevail upon them. No doubt, the state, with its coffers empty, finding itself caught in a debt trap and facing a non-helping if not hostile Centre, has to think hard and rational if it has to ensure its own survival. At this juncture, little sacrifices at the individual level may help Punjab in heaving some sigh of relief.

India is a country where people are always on the run for freebies. Be it a sale or some sop, they fall flat. The SAD should, therefore, realise that whosoever joins their protest plan will do so for the freebies and not against the current government. Otherwise, why should have people ousted the SAD government?

It must be realised that a positive and selfless attitude may rather evoke a better response from the people and all the embarrassment that the failure of protest moves may cause, may be saved. And why should the Captain’s campaign against corruption convulse anybody? If you have done nothing, stay cool and nothing is going to happen to you. Otherwise, be brave enough to face the music!

Jagvir Goyal, Chandigarh

Maj Narinder Singh Jallo (Retd), Kapurthala

Turmoil: The editorial has sent the right message to the public in general and political parties in particular as Punjab is passing through a financial crunch. The anti-India forces take advantage of turmoil created by the so-called well-wishers of Punjab.

Dr T.S. Sidhu, Ferozepore

Departmental corruption: For a corruption-free administration the need is to trap the corrupt and irresponsible officials at the departmental level because the public at large is affected by lower-level departmental corruption.

Ramanand Bansal, Muktsar

Vote-bank politics: It is a known fact that Punjab has remained neglected for decades and paid a heavy price during militancy. In our immature democracy, the present system of government neither provides stability nor strength to the governments at the Centre and the states. People are feeling suffocated in the stronghold of greedy and corrupt rulers playing vote-bank politics.

In the Assembly elections, the divided Akalis fought the united Congress and lost, and are at present trying desperately for their party’s revival. Capt Amarinder Singh is a dynamic ruler and doing a lot against corruption. He has, however, to do more for the people’s welfare.

Jagtar Singh, Mohali