M A I L B A G

Children must take care of their parents

Aditi Tandon’s report (April 11) about neglect of the 95-year-old woman, Rosy, by her own son, is really depressing. It is sad that parents who make lots of sacrifices in raising their children are neglected and even abandoned as unwanted by their children during their old age.

The law must come to the rescue of women like Rosy. It should be binding on the part of children to provide shelter and give maintenance allowance to their old parents. The old parents should have a right to share their children’s income and, if neglected, should be extended free legal aid to claim their rights from their selfish offspring.

NGOs and religious organisations should come forward to assist destitute women like Rosy to claim their rights from their nonchalant children who force their old parents to a state of despondency and nomadic life.

Dr J.S. CHUGH, Ludhiana

II

This story of the woman with her photo showing her wrinkled face, caught the serious attention of the readers, thereby touching their hearts and making them feel that there is no pilgrimage of greater importance than the mother and that the mother is the most secure place for her children.

The Tribune report produced the desired effect because Mrs Jean Rodrigues, wife of Gen S.F. Rodrigues, the Punjab Governor, arranged Rosy’s immediate rehabilitation.

R.K. JAIN, President, Senior  Citizens’ Council, Jagadhri

Scheme goes haywire It is reported that the Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) in Punjab, an important strategy in the fruition of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), has been sabotaged by the bureaucracy. Non-release of grant in time, either by the Centre or the State, speaks of the lack of commitment in the universalisation of elementary education (UEE). The state government has released only Rs 99 lakh (towards teacher’s salaries) instead of Rs 2 crore during 2004-05. Cases are not uncommon when the Centrally sponsored schemes go haywire due to the state government’s failure. The Centre is fully justified in withholding the release of due amount following the state’s failure to make the scheduled payment. If the state government is not committed towards UEE, Central grant or education cess will be of little help. S. KUMAR, Panchkula

Go in for Metro Rail

In the budget, the Himachal Pradesh government has rightly provided Rs 1,000 crore for tunnels and overbridges to reduce the travelling time from Kalka to Shimla by less than one hour. For this purpose, the government should go in for Metro Rail from Kalka to Shimla.

Minimum land is required for Metro Rail with minimum hill cutting. This will save the environment, jungles and project cost. Tourists will prefer to go to Shimla by Metro Rail and not by buses or cars. This will reduce fuel costs and pollution.

Traffic jams and the problem of parking of vehicles in Shimla and surrounding areas will also be solved. Above all, tourism will increase as also business and employment opportunities.

J.C. NIJHAWAN, Anji, Barog (Solan)

Repair roads

When you travel from Jammu to Chandigarh via Hoshiarpur, a badly damaged road with too many potholes welcomes you at Dasuya. The 30-35 km road has been in bad shape for years. Officegoers and students take around one hour to reach Hoshiarpur. A sugar mill is also located on this stretch. Tractors carrying sugarcane to the mill get overturned in the road, causing huge loss to men and material.

The Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar road is also in the same condition. Though the road was taken up for repairs a few years back, it was stopped midway. The old people, the physically challenged and the sick are the worst sufferers. The government should repair both roads on priority.

VINOD KUMAR SUD, Jammu

Welcome step

The Haryana government’s decision to appoint one teacher for 40 students in government primary and middle schools is welcome and is a step in the right direction.

Mr Phool Chand Mullana, Education Minister, deserves full credit for this decision. The decision is expected to not only put the whole system in order but also give it a new shape.

NIDHI MALHOTRA, Panipat

A lesson in humility

Harish Dhillon’s middle “A lesson in humility” (April 6) is highly touching, though heart-warming. The ordained is unstoppable. Such is life.

P. MOHAN SACHDEV, Dehradun