M A I L B A G

Scrap quotas and build competence

Quotas have failed to achieve the desired aim even in the public sector and the government. It has failed miserably to build competence and promoted only lethargy among the beneficiaries of the quota system. The zeal to compete and build up competence has taken a back seat as jobs and promotions are being offered to them on a platter.

One solution would be to provide extra facilities to build up competence on economic and not caste basis. The emphasis should be on inculcating zeal for competing and making one deserving. This will be a real service to the economically backward sections as it will give them a sense of achievement and pride.

Lt-Col BHAGWANT SINGH (retd), Mohali

II

A key point linked with reservations and requiring the attention of the government and the private sector is disinvestment. The government doesn’t want to retrench a single employee following disinvestment. The PSUs that are disinvested might have many SC/ST employees. Thus, handing over stake in a PSU to a private firm with the condition of no retrenchment will easily make room for SC/ST candidates in such a private company.

Why is it, then, that reservations are needed in the private sector when SC/ST employees are already being transferred to such private companies (through disinvestment)?

MOHIT JHANGIANI, New Delhi

Keep your environs clean Unfortunately, people have adopted a most callous attitude towards keeping the environment clean. Our air is being poisoned with the byproducts of an expanding technological society. Man does not realise that his progress is seriously disturbing the ecological balance. We breath polluted air containing obnoxious gases, ash and dust particles. Without our knowledge our lungs are slowly becoming garbage dumps for these pollutants. With the passage of time, it will become difficult for us to inhabit our own planet. It is time we stopped nature’s suffering due to the atrocities committed by human beings. If each one of us, in our own little way, help in keeping the environment clean, we will be leading more cleaner and healthier lives. If we do not realise the need to keep the environment clean, it may be too late to repair the damage done. SIMRAT KAUR, Ludhiana

Of caste and varna

Apropos of Pushpesh Kumar’s letter (Sept 25), the evolution of caste system from varna was gradual due to the inheritance of occupation for generations. Our politicians should accept this concept instead of blaming the so-called upper castes. In the varna system, no varna was considered upper or superior. The division was merely to regulate the professions. When the caste system did not exist during the Vedic period, the question of caste-based reservation does not arise.

KULBHUSHAN SHARMA, Shri Brahman Samaj, Patiala

Questionable role

Apropos of the report “Centre, State lock horns over projects” (Sept 9), it is surprising how the Chairman-cum- Managing Director of the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVM) is issuing such orders as repatriation of HPSEB employees. The Himachal government should take serious note of such orders.

The CMD should not forget the fact that the state government is a partner in the SJVN, a joint venture of the state and the Centre. The HPSEB employees have played a very significant role in bringing the 1,500-MW Nathpa Jhakri Project to its present stage of production.

It would be in the fitness of things if the government took over the Nathpa Jhakri Project by adjusting the Government of India equity from the revenue earned from the project.

Er C.L. GUPTA, Chief Engineer (retd), Jaidevi (Mandi)

Freedom from bondage

A great deal of uncertainty is pervading this ever-changing universe. The ultimate purpose of life is, undoubtedly, the quest for pleasure. Yet, there is no specific definition of pleasure. Pleasure and pain are just stages of the mind, undergoing constant inter-transition. You have to constantly find your own truths in life as you are the king of your own universe. Real liberation is the freedom from the bondage of thought.

VIVEK CHAUDHARY, Faridabad

A bad practice

The Supreme Court banned corporal punishment to students in schools. The Orissa government has recently directed all government and private schools in the state to refrain from giving punishment to the pupils.

The school boys slapped the girl students of Saraswati School in Dhanas recently. This was highly reprehensible. The punishment caused them mental tension and humiliation. One girl tried to commit suicide and the other was admitted to the PGI. The schools must enforce discipline in the schools with some parameter of decency and socially acceptable methods.

M.L.GARG, Chandigarh

Stray dog menace

Stray dog menace has been increasing day by day in Guru Nanak Avenue, Majitha Road, Nagina Avenue and Rishi Vihar. Pet dogs are also getting affected due to this menace. I would request the Municipal Corporation officials to look into the matter and provide us relief from this problem as soon as possible.

PRABHLEEN SINGH, Amritsar