M A I L B A G

Graft: Who will stem the rot?

H.K. Dua’s diagnosis of the ailment called “corruption”, in his article “Conspiracy of silence: Politicians are comfortable with corruption” (April 8), is very accurate and points towards an alarming situation. It sends shivers down the spine of the common man who is suffering badly in his day-to-day life due to this monster. He is losing hope for a remedy because of “callousness, indifference and humiliation” of those towards whom he looks for a cure.

The nexus among the politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, criminals and “those who can buy their way to get things done they want” will not allow a common man to raise his voice, because these people are controlling the levers of power at various levels. The common people “who are victims of corruption and the system of governance” are finding it hard to penetrate into the fort of corruption and the present-day corrupt system. Was this the Ram Rajya for which our freedom fighters had sacrificed their lives during the British rule?

The writer has suggested the remedy to “simply refuse to vote for a candidate who is known to have smudged his or her record”. But an honest person, having a clean image, won’t join politics or contest in the elections. The common man can only pray for the emergence of a Subash Chandra Bose, a Bhagat Singh and a Lala Lajpat Rai to stem the rot.

NETAR CHAND CHANDEL, Hoshiarpur

II

It is a moving article pertaining to the painful and unwelcome ingress of corruption into our polity. Today, unfortunately, no segment of society is free from this evil. Understandably, a few politicians are the main culprits, who initially propagate this evil practice through their nexus with the so-called “loyal” bureaucrats, greedy industrialists or businessman along with criminals, who are out to make a fast buck. This carries on ad nauseam, till the next elections, when new actors come on the stage.

As has been rightly suggested, we can fight corruption if we vote to power leaders of high integrity, professional competence and proven track record of selfless public service. But that’s easier said than done. However, till then, a vigilant media, the public-spirited among the intelligentsia, the academia, and the concerned governmental and non-governmental agencies must get together to synergise a strong national will to fight and eliminate this shameful scourge. The sooner, the better.

Brig GOVIND SINGH KHIMTA (retd), Shimla

III

H.K. Dua’s article “Conspiracy of silence” (April 8), after his front-page editorial “People must assert” (March 1), is yet another noble attempt to shake the conscience of people, lest they should sink themselves in an era of becoming “victims of corruption and the system of governance it has engendered.

Most candidates are so engrossed in mudslinging that they have no time for nation building. They brought in film stars to woo the innocent voters. It is a pity that none of our leaders has come forward with an agenda to take care of the health of the people even on World Health Day on April 7.

I agree that politicians are silent on the issue of corruption, much to the disappointment of the people who are ultimately its victims. It is surprising that weeding out corruption has not been included in the campaign agenda of any political party in the current elections.

SHASHI KANT GALHOTRA, Panchkula

Party hopping at its peak I have been reading in The Tribune reports of party hopping by politicians in the run-up to the elections. The main reason for the changeover in almost all cases is non-allotment of party ticket. It is surprising how the ideology and loyalty of the individual can take a U-turn overnight. It is thought that a person is associated with one party or the other due to the belief in its ideology. Such a sudden changeover clearly brings out one’s greed for power, position and pelf. There seems to be nothing like party loyalty these days. Opportunism is the order of the day. All parties, without exception, welcome defectors to their fold with great pomp, implying that they do not mind the treacherous, opportunistic and greedy behaviour of these party hoppers. Leaving aside a few top leaders of two main political parties, who probably cannot defect due to personal compulsions, every politician in the country seems to be on sale. This is very sad for the country. It is greatly difficult for the electorate to chose from among the infidels. Lt-Col BHAGWANT SINGH, Mohali

India Shining abroad

One can appreciate the letter of Mr Hitesh Jhangiani, “Is India Shining?” (April 7). He is concerned about the downtrodden who are not the beneficiaries of the economic feel-good factor as claimed by the government.

The feel-good factor has reached abroad too. Our diplomats are busting with its impact. Whenever the Indian diaspora contacted the Indian Missions, they were sympathetic and acknowledged communications regarding grievances in India.

Now these diplomats have abandoned the courtesy and decency of acknowledging complaints, but have resorted to ignoring them. Reluctantly we have started asking British agencies and even our local MPs to take up our cases with the authorities in India. Our government would be very proud of our diplomats for contributing to India Shining in this manner.

KAILASH CHAND, Worsetershire (UK)

Poll manifestoes

Most political parties have released their respective election manifestoes. As we are aware, after the elections, most political parties forget about their manifestoes. People are befooled by them with promises made because manifestoes cannot be challenged in the courts.

Since politicians do promise people in elections with open arms but do not implement the same after capturing power, the ruling party should be punished if it is unable to implement its manifesto within a specific timeframe. Even leaders at the local level should be made accountable for whatever they have promised to the people in their constituencies so that empty promises being made by the politicians to befool the people could be stopped.

SANJIV KUMAR, Hoshiarpur

The city of Multan

Four things, namely, dust, hot weather, beggars and graveyards are gifts of the city of Multan. This was taught in our schools. Multan was considered to be the hottest place in the region with dust, large number of beggars and graveyards.

Our cricketers have achieved remarkable success and brought laurels to the country braving hot weather conditions and they richly deserve special appreciation and congratulations for having won the Multan test.

KULWANT RAI GARGA, Mansa