M A I L B A G

Growth not at the cost of environment

The Tribune report rightly highlighted the illegal stone crushing in the Aravali range of Haryana’s Mewat district (Nov 14). Clearly, if we do not take care of the environment, Nature’s fury would spare none. Development must be environmentally harmonious, economically efficient and targeted towards equity with social justice.

Sadly, with society becoming more and more complex today, the education process has become so institutionalised that the study of ecology and environment has taken a back seat in colleges and universities. There is no attempt to introduce inter-disciplinary approach in education at various levels. How will isolated knowledge in the field of technology, seismology, economy, sociology or pure sciences help?

An engineer carving a road or a tunnel should also understand its social and environmental cost in the right perspective. We must be environmentally literate and critically evaluate the causes and effect of man’s activity of economic development which also results in the degradation of our environment.

Dr G.S. BHALLA & DALWINDER KAUR, GND University, Amritsar

Capital punishment

Despite President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s opinion, capital punishment must stay. It should be liberally awarded for murder and similar heinous crimes committed by terrorists, traitors, abductors, dacoits, rapists, policemen and others responsible for the security and defence of the people. Presidential and gubernatorial clemency should be granted only in exceptional and deserving cases only.

The principle of British jurisprudence that “not one innocent may be convicted even if it means a hundred guilty men escape” ought to be followed meticulously in India. Our police force has been extremely politicised and it is lacking in probity and principles. The courts should not repose excessive faith in the police as it is known to create and fabricate evidence to ensure conviction.

ARIDAMAN SINGH JHUBAL, Amritsar

Why higher taxes?

The Solan Municipal Council has recently increased the House Tax by 300 per cent. This is unjustified because the council has not provided any benefit to the taxpayer.

What about the council’s 1986 promise of providing a sewerage system in Solan? Water supply is poor and roads are a shame. Such is the construction activity in the town that the taxpayers’ number has gone up by more than 300 per cent. Where does all the money go? Councillors need to deliberate the issue seriously. There has been no fresh recruitment of staff.

Dr L.R. SHARMA, Solan

Give up smoking

I appreciate Shah Rukh Khan’s decision to give up smoking. As he is a role model to many youth, the latter should follow suit. At least 2,200 people die everyday from tobacco-related diseases in India. If Shah Rukh Khan takes the lead against the menace of smoking, it will help millions of youth. More celebrities should come forward to support similar social causes and help purify society.   

K.V. SHAMSUDHEEN, Dubai

Promotion blues

I would like to highlight the lopsided promotion policy of head teachers of primary schools in Haryana. The uprooting of JBT teachers at the ripe age of 57+ years or a few months before their retirement is wrong. It is also the most punitive step.

The Bhupinder Singh Hooda government should review the policy and retain the head teachers at their present place of posting as an established practice.

RADHA SACHDEV, Principal, Dina Nath Public School, Faridabad