M A I L B A G

Hold Chief Khalsa Diwan
poll in time

As a literate Sikh, I am concerned at the ongoing tussle between the Ankhi and the Chadah groups within the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD), the role of Mr Tarlochan Singh, chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (was the intervention of the NCM at all necessary in this affair when under the aegis of the Akal Takht, a five-member committee stands constituted and has presently assumed charge of the CKD from the Magistrate, who was the administrator?), the expelling of a large number of members of the 500-strong CKD of one group with the impending elections to the CKD in mind quite obviously and the unnecessary interference by some in the SGPC in the affairs of this time-honoured and respected institution.

It must be understood that in the present times when the Sikhs and their institutions need to flower out of their “regional” image into not only the national mainstream, but also the international arena, where the concerns of the Sikh diaspora has also to be taken into account, a temporary stewardship of the CKD affected by the five-member committee nominee Prithipal Singh Kapoor and his team is hardly the answer.

In all humility, it is submitted to the Jathedar, Akal Takht, whether there was room for a change in the composition of this committee, where the inclusion of newer, younger and experienced Sikh visionaries eager to project the right image of the Sikhs and their institutions within the country and abroad would not have paid better dividends.

MAJ-GEN HIMMAT SINGH GILL (Retd), Chandigarh

Overladen tractor-trailers Winter is again here and so is the season of sugarcane. Tractor-trailers loaded with sugarcane now ply on the Punjab roads, especially the link roads, like the ones between Batala and Beas, Nakodar and Jalandhar or Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar. These vehicles make it difficult for motorists coming from both sides to see the road ahead. The situation is precarious when fog starts descending after sunset. Every year, there are a lot of mishaps and near-mishaps due to this. The cold weather has dawned and the days are near when the dense fog will start engulfing us. The authorities concerned should immediately ban tractor-trailers loaded with sugarcane and rice husk from plying on these roads between 6 pm and 6 am so that not only precious lives are saved but also traffic at night is smooth. SANDEEP GUPTA, Jalandhar

Unqualified architects

Mr Amit Sood, architect, has very rightly pointed out in his letter (Dec 5) how unqualified architects have been befooling citizens, local government, state and the Centre. The government should look into the matter and do the needful.

Architects have also been intruding the domain of structural civil engineers, in such an organised manner that most of us are not even aware of their role in the construction activity.

Only a civil engineer can tell whether the foundation and superstructure of a house should be of brick, plain cement, concrete or reinforced concrete. An architect is not qualified to be a judge of the appropriate width, depth and the required number of steel bars for laying a beam etc.

Civil engineers are trained to calculate all this to the last detail.

CHARANJIT SIGH CHADHA, Patiala

The real picture

The article “Drugs, liquor, opium everywhere” (Amar Chandel, Dec 3) gives the true picture of the rural Punjab, where many are now slaves to drugs. This picture of Punjab is ever worse that that of China in 1830s. Haryana is also facing a similar situation, as the Malwa belt bordering this state is also prone to drug addiction.

NACHHATTAR SINGH, Odhan (Sirsa)

Jews vs Arabs

Mr Khushwant Singh is a great secular writer and he has the right to express his views on the Jews and the Arabs. However, even if the Jews purchased the Arab land at a high price and developed it, that does not give them the right to expand their boundaries and sponsor state terrorism.

Drunk on the arrogance derived from the US support and their military power, they have never cared for justice, the UNO and world opinion, which will harm Israel in the end. The British also came to India with the consent on the Indians, but later colonised India. They, too, had to flee in the end.

Dr TARIQUE AHMED, Qaidan

Harassed retiree

Your correspondent’s write-up “Harassed retiree threatens suicide” (Nov 23) is alarming. The affected Treasury Officer, denied promotion and service benefits, had been transferred many times in a short period. Retired last year, he has seen his juniors being promoted because he could not bribe, many false cases slapped on him and his retirement benefits and medical bills not paid.

Your paper has done well by highlighting the plight of such people, most of whom have been suffering silently. Government needs to redress such grievances on priority.

M.P.S. RANDHAWA, Dhapai (Kapurthala)

Hema Malini

On finding Hema Malini visiting Parliament House for the first time as a member of the Rajya Sabha, many parliamentarians must have uttered: “Pehle Mile The Sapnon Mein, Aaj Saamne Paaya; Hai Kurban Jaoon”. Many others must have said: “Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi Hamen Pyar Kar Lay, Jhootha Hi Sahi”.

S.K. HANS, Jalandhar