M A I L B A G

Honest citizens must help root out corruption

Apropos of H.K. Dua’s article “The growing cancer: What should be done to stop corruption” (Oct 16), the corrupt and the crafty have taken advantage of the loopholes in the system and have vitiated almost all the limbs of the government. Rather than the direct corrupt practices troubling the citizen when he comes in contact with the administration, it is the corruption of connivance which is affecting the common masses. Its effects are invisible but are very grave.

The might of the corrupt and the crafty was never felt to be so overawing as it is today. The nexus is so solid that it seems impossible to break it. Rather than protecting the honest citizens for their whistle blowing actions, the administration is often playing into the hands of the manipulators and subjecting the honest to avoidable persecution. The need of the hour is to consolidate and coordinate the efforts being done by some NGOs and individuals in isolation and put up a united fight against corruption so that people are made aware of the inherent dangers involved in tolerating this evil. The country will break into pieces and history will repeat itself if a major operation is not undertaken by the people to remove this malignant tumor from the body politic of the nation.

S.C. CHABBA, Ropar

II

The corrupt are getting more corrupt and the powers that be are sidelining the honest ones. It has led to moral degeneration of our generation. Politics is being used synonymously with corruption. What is more alarming is the indifferent attitude of people, who have accepted it as a rule of life.

I agree with the view that no concrete steps have been taken at any level to effectively address the menace. It is time each one of us remember the higher purpose of our creation and rise above our perception of self. True, it requires a great deal of courage but the rewards are worth the effort. Let us adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption.

RAJIV BHALLA, Chandigarh

III

This malady is so deep rooted in our system that this can pose a serious threat to the well being of our nation. Sadly, we don’t have a single case worth the name who has been 

prosecuted and convicted in the court of law. Angles will not come down from heaven to cure this malady but we ourselves will have to find a solution. We should strive to maintain our personal integrity at any cost.

The mass media — print and electronic — can play a greater role in fighting corruption. They should spread awareness on the menace and appeal to every citizen not to bribe any government official, MPs, MLAs and ministers.

Dr P.S. CHAWALA, Amritsar

Himalayas not for car rallies There is much jingoism in Himachal Pradesh these days in the name of the Himalayan Car Rally — Raid de Himalayas. It is claimed that the avowed mission of this rally is to increase awareness about the Himalayas with the spirit of adventure. However, I feel that the Himalayas are not meant for car rallies. The Himalayas are the source of perennial rivers that give elixir of life to those in the hills and the plains below. Their beauty is sublime. We will not be doing any good by polluting the pure air of the Himalayas by the automobile effluents. I have seen hordes of tourists enjoying the Himalayan region on bicycles; they enjoy every milestone on the way. Only such neat and clean expeditions should be encouraged, but not car rallies. The fragile ecology of the Himalayas is to be nourished and not shown the ruthless power of the machine. It’s our solemn duty to preserve and protect the Himalayas which have stood by our civilisation through tick and thin. DHARMENDARA SHARMA, Advocate, Kullu

Row over helmets

The controversy on wearing the helmet refuses to die down. The question is simplistic: in case of an accident, won’t the helmet protect you from a serious head injury and save your life? If ‘Yes’ everyone should wear helmets. If ‘No’, then everyone should be exempted from wearing helmets. Let them decide on their own as “Marzi Hai Apki, Aakhir Sir Hai Apka”.

Lt-Col J.S. ARORA, Chandigarh

Roads in bad shape

The condition of roads in Jalandhar’s Urban Estate is very bad. These roads are full of potholes. We were given to understand that roads would be constructed or repaired shortly, but little has been done.

After a downpour, the roads become sheets of water and one can’t locate the potholes until he/she falls into one of them. The authorities concerned should come to the rescue of the residents by getting the roads repaired promptly.

Dr JASBIR SINGH TALWAR, Jalandhar