M A I L B A G

Harassment of Mallika must stop

There is something curious, and very disturbing, about the manner in which the Mallika Sarabhai “case” is unfolding in Gujarat. Sitting at this distance as one is, and dependent almost entirely upon what the media is reporting, one naturally does not know the “facts” of the “case”. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid the impression that there is some connection between the registration of the case against her, and the fact that she was someone who spoke against the ruling government at the time of the infamous communal riots in Gujarat.

Also the impression that the young woman who has filed a case against her and her academy is only availing herself of a “wave” set into motion recently by the high profile and widely reported Daler Mehndi case.

If these impressions or suspicions are unfounded, would it not be appropriate, and fair, for the Gujarat government to do something towards removing them? To ensure that justice is not only done, but appears to be in the process of being done?

It may turn out eventually that there is nothing else in common between Mehndi and Mallika than the letter “M” they share in their names. But till that is established, is not one within one’s rights to expect that all undue pressure upon her be removed and every civility observed?

B.N. Goswamy, Chandigarh

Irreparable loss

The sad demise of Punjabi folk singer Surjit Bindrakhiya is an irreparable loss to Punjab. In his death, the state has lost one of its illustrious sons. His lilting and sonorous voice will always enthrall the hearts of the masses. Bindrakhiya never believed in singing vulgar songs for cheap popularity. All his hit albums are immaculate and did not show any vulgarity. He never tried to vitiate and downgrade the culture of Punjab.

He was the only singer in Punjab who found a place in the Limca Book of World Records with his brilliant “haike” of 28 seconds. The career of a prominent singer has been cut to size in its prime.

ANJIV SINGH JASWAL, Chandigarh

II

Surjit Bindrakhiya emerged on the Punjabi folk singing horizon like a pole star. In his passing away, Punjab has lost a fine singer whose pulsating folk songs with a strong rustic flavour permeated straight into the hearts of millions of his fans across the country. Bindrakhiya shot to limelight at a time when the racy-n-raunchy numbers were riding the crest of popularity.

A true ambassador of Punjabi culture, Bindrakhiya stood against the corrosion of rich cultural heritage of Punjab and strongly voiced his indignation over the westernisation of Punjabi music. Bindrakhiya, the heart-throb of countless of his fans and friends across the globe, will continue to live in their hearts for ages through his lilting love tunes which evoked nothing but love and longing.

Manish Dhiman, Chandigarh

NIT experiment

On behalf of the students of different National Institutes of Technology (NITs), I thank Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, Union HRD Minister, for his significant contribution to technical education. Being a student of NIT, Nagpur, I feel that Dr Joshi has rightly changed the name of the college from REC to NIC as also the whole study system.

Now, we have surprise tests, quizzes, assignments etc throughout the four-year course. It will directly have a direct bearing on our Semester Performance Index and the Cumulative Performance Index. We will have to be more attentive and sincere towards our studies. We are also focussing ourselves on research programmes in different fields of engineering.

Parveen M. Sahai, IV Semester (B.Tech), NIT, Nagpur

Elect the young

Five states are on the election mode. Political parties have selected candidates on the basis of their “winnability”. Did any political party look into the antecedents of a candidate before giving him/her the party ticket? The Election Commission has, of course, made it mandatory for candidates at the time of filing of their nomination papers. But criminalisation of politics is so acute that no political party seems bothered if the candidate is a history-sheeter with a criminal record. What matters most today is the candidate’s money power and muscle power to win the election.

I appeal to parties not to encourage those with a shady background. Besides honesty and integrity, age and education of candidates should be considered. In this regard, we should emulate the US, the UK and Russia. We should also request our ageing leadership to retire voluntarily and pave the way for the young. If the political parties couldn’t care less about it, we, as voters, should elect only those who are young and dynamic.

Lt-Col. BACHITTAR SINGH,  SAS Nagar