M A I L B A G

Parliamentary system deteriorating

THE people of this country are deeply concerned about the deterioration in the functioning of our parliamentary system. The Founding Fathers of our Constitution could not have imagined that these temples that are our legislature would be reduced to arenas of babble, vulgarity, abuse and improper and unbecoming conduct.

It is indeed tragic that corruption has acquired such monstrous proportions that all other issues have been relegated to the background and intelligent discussion, dignified debate and oratorical skills in Parliament and assemblies have become the causalities!

Nothing would be more disastrous and fatal for parliamentary democracy than for the people to lose faith in the system, faith in those they elect to represent them and to speak for the underprivileged, the less fortunate who till today struggle for survival, living in sub-human conditions, deprived of the basic necessities like education, drinking water, health care, shelter, roads and employment.

MAJOR VIJAI SINGH MANKOTIA, MLA, Himachal Pradesh

Acts of terrorists

The recent dharnas by the separatist parties and the National Conference against alleged human rights violations by security forces bely the actual intimidation of masses by the brutal acts of terrorists. How can these parties condone the inhuman act of terrorists, while highlighting isolated incidents of HR abuses by security forces? Human right violations are a blot on the face of humanity irrespective of whoever is indulging in them.

So, it would have been appreciated by all and sundry if these dharnas and protests had also highlighted brutal incidents of terrorist violence besides the human right violence by security forces in the state.

RAKESH PANT, Jammu

Booze Brigadier A Brigadier has been sentenced to imprisonment for selling huge quantities of military quota liquor in the open market (December 14). How shocking! What a shameful degradation from the pristine glory and grandeur of the top brass known for unswerving discipline, dignity and exemplary code of conduct!  This “booze” Brigadier is not part of the fauj we knew and worked for—and some of our valiant comrades died for. It just shows the full-blown rot that has set in in our armed forces as well. Unfortunately, some of the defence officers are becoming spitting images of their civilian counterparts. We need watchful eyes, stringent laws, speedy trials and deterrent punishments meted out to the offenders to weed out the canker of corruption afflicting our country. Wing Commander SC KAPOOR (retd), Noida

Early Sikh immigrants

I have been requested by an author from Alaska who writes science fiction, for help. He is talking of a very early period when Sikhism was just in the beginning stage.

He says: “I am writing a story set in an alternative universe in which a small American town is thrown back in time to 1632. I was doing some research about Sikhs and I was wondering if there was any contact by Sikhs with Europe in the early 17th century? I have found someone mentions of Sikh migrants in the 16th century, but I don’t know where they moved to from the Punjab. Can you help me?” E-mail to : srk@imkemex.com

Swarn Kahlon, Chandigarh

Neglected filmmaker

It is sad that The Tribune did not carry a report on the death of Pramod Chakravorty, a leading filmmaker of 1960s and 1970s, at the age of 85 on December 12. His life history could be a source of inspiration for many as he rose from the level of a dish-cleaner in a restaurant. Later, he also worked as a supervisor in a rubber company and a film editor in Films Division before becoming an assistant to director Raj Khosla for Milaap (1955).

He got a break as director with 12 O’Clock which, however, flopped. Then he wielded the megaphone for producer-actor Om Prakash’s Sanjog. Later, he launched his own production company, Natraj Films, and produced and directed Ziddi (1964) which turned out to be a big hit. It was followed by movies like Love in Tokyo, Naya Zamana (which he considered his best), Tumse Achha Kaun Hai, Jugnu, Azaad, Patita, Dream Girl, Jyoti and Shatru. He paid great attention to music in his movies.

SURENDRA MIGLANI, Kaithal

Time management

Apropos of your editorial, “More tax, less revenue” (December 15), I wish to compliment the Finance Minister for admitting delays in passing the Budget and the financial Bill as the basic cause of poor performance.

To my mind, midterm review of the Indian economy is essential for replacing postmortem approach by the realistic prognosis approach by taking corrective measures in the rest of financial year.

Time management in India is the need of the day for making the funds available which were allocated in the Budget proposals for the development activities. There is a case for timely announcement of the Minimum Support Prices so that farmers improve their decision making process for sowing crops and diversification.

Prof M.M.GOEL, Dept. of Economics, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra.