M A I L B A G

Agriculture: dithering won’t do

Apropos of Dr S.S. Johl’s article “Dithering on diversification” (Feb 11), diversification is the buzzword in the agricultural research, education and extension system. The word is reiterated in the lectures of most bureaucrats and academics. But the stakeholder does not know how to perceive it.

It seems the Johl Committee’s recommendations have been lost somewhere. If there had been action, the situation would have been different in Punjab. The Punjab government also restricted its activities to displaying hoardings like ‘Industrial development and agricultural diversification’. But nothing concrete has been done on this front.

There is a need to take initiatives in the form of a mission called ‘Diverse’ which must be target-oriented. The achievements must be reviewed by a third party. The mission, with adequate funds, should consist of young, dedicated and intellectual researchers from the diverse areas of agriculture and extension workers.

Above all, a strong leadership under a person like Dr Johl, who has sympathy for farmers and worried about their future, is imperative. This approach will help bring the lost smile on the farmers’ faces.

SUKHVINDER PAL SINGH,
Ph. D Scholar, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi

II

Dr Johl’s workable proposal on crop diversification to check the depleting water table has not yet been implemented. I do not know what will happen to his latest proposal. He suggested a few incentives to farmers who adopt diversification as also ways to raise money for this purpose by saving the cost of storage and cartage. If the government is committed to agricultural reforms, it must implement them soon.

As the water levels of both Bhakra reservoir and Talwara reservoir are critically low, electric power will have to be purchased. June will be a crucial month. The authorities should ban plantation of pussa variety of paddy. In addition, no paddy plantation should be allowed before July first week. The government should give compensation to farmers for deficiency in the paddy yield through funds as suggested.

M.S. GILL, Kokri Kalan

Celebration of nature Basant Panchmi, which was celebrated with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm on Feb 13, heralds the onset of spring after a long period of biting cold and snow. Nature is now at her best with multicolored flowers and yellow mustard fields spreading fragrance, sweetness and warmth. Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom, is also worshipped. She is the source of constant inspiration and hope. Saraswati’s Veena symbolises sweet music of life that is possible through Sadhna. This way life can be an eternal bliss where there is no room for gloom and radiance is visible all around. I am happy that this year too we joined this celebration of nature. The song Mera rang de Basanti Cholaa symbolises patriotism, courage, bravery and martyrdom for a national cause.  Prof K.L. BATRA, Yamunanagar

Italian connection

Italian President Clampi with a big 200-strong delegation arrived in India to sign several accords to enhance bilateral cooperation in many areas. Italy is known to be a corrupt  mafia state in the European Union whose Judges are murdered and the President has been charged with various financial irregularities.

Earlier, in the guns deal, an Italian agent had refused to respond to the summons of the Indian courts. As we are already faced with the problem of corruption in our country, how would we benefit enhancing bilateral cooperation with another corrupt state?

DHIRENDRA SHARMA,
Centre for Science Policy Research, Dehradun

Punish the guilty

The editorial “Fake universities” (Feb 14) rightly observes that a mere closure of fake universities is not sufficient. This scandalous racket surely calls for punitive punishment for all the involved persons.

Unfortunately, it is always the courts which initiate corrective measures in the education system. Will we ever have an exclusive national regulatory body of the government that would put the derailed education system back on the track?

BALVINDER, (Former Principal, Govt College, Sector 11) 
Chandigarh

Hot flushes

The article “Hot flushes: Bane for women” (Health Page, The Tribune, Feb 9) has very nicely brought out the problems faced by menopausal women — hot flushes, mood changes and night sweats. However, the correct term is ‘flushes’ and not ‘flashes’. Hot flushes are caused by dilatation of blood vessels which occurs due to an imbalance in the levels of progesterone and estrogen, the latter decreasing with age.

Dr NEERU LUTHRA, Ludhiana