M A I L B A G

Centre’s stand on Iran is right

Apropos your editorial “Iran in the dock” (Feb 6), India has rightly voted along with the majority at the meeting of the IAEA to report Iran to the UN Security Council. Any action against Iran will be taken by the top UN body only after the IAEA delivers its final report on the issue in March. Till March, all diplomatic efforts should be made to prevail upon Iran to comply with the IAEA regulations and NPT obligations.

As observed in the editorial Iran must realise that almost the whole world is against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. People want peace. They don’t want more proliferation of nuclear weapons. Peaceful use of nuclear energy is the need of the hour but obligations under international treaties and agreements cannot be glossed over. Left parties in India must see the situation in the right perspective and support the Centre on the issue.

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

Fleecing students

Many of the private engineering colleges in Punjab and Haryana are charging, in addition to high tuition fees, undue, excessive and unsupportable levies. For example, some colleges are collecting “building fund” to the tune of Rs 8000/- per student, raking in crores. In spite of this, deficiencies are noticeable with regard to the libraries, the staff, equipment at laboratories and workshops, and the like. Sports facilities are negligible.  There is an urgent need to rein in these colleges, rationalise the fee structure, and stop this rampant commercialisation of education.

MALKIAT SINGH, Mohali

LPG connections

While applying for an LPG connection, there is a provision which enables the company officials to inspect our premises to see if we are already using LPG for cooking, in which case the application will be denied. This is exactly what happened to me. This is absurd, as someone who has shifted to a new place, will normally borrow a cylinder while waiting for a new connection. LPG companies should amend such provisions and not harass consumers. 

Dr. ARCHANA DWIWEDI, Panchkula

Punjab’s pride

The reminiscences of KTS Tulsi, (Feb 06) was a welcome read for all Punjabis. KTS as he is popularly known is a household name across the country, often watched on TV for his eloquence and humanitarian efforts to help the downtrodden. We are yet to hear him recite the nationalistic and spirited poems of his esteemed uncle, the great poet Inderjit Singh Tulsi. As compared to the ‘established’ top lawyers in the country, age is still on his side. He is Punjab’s pride.

Vinod Tuli, Noida

Eliminating corruption

Instead of checking corruption, the functioning of the vigilance bureaus at certain places has become suspect in the eyes of all concerned. One reason is the absolute freedom given to the bureau. The officials misuse their power as the scope of making a fast buck is very high. There is a need to take measures to streamline the functioning of bureau, for the very aim of checking corruption is in jeopardy.

CHAMAN SINGLA, Bhucho (Bathinda)

Airport privatisation

The Airports Authority of India has failed to provide us with the world class airports we need. India cannot run away from the challenge of making its airports modern and of international standards. The bold decision to handover modernisation of Mumbai and Delhi airports to the private sector deserves praise. The government should go ahead and ensure speedy progress.

IQBAL SINGH SAROYA, Mohali

Remembering Kalpana

From a sleepy town in Haryana, Kalpana Chawla rose to touch the stars as a brilliant scientist and an accomplished astronaut. Her life story should be an eye opener to those in our society who still have a preference for a son and mourn the birth of a daughter.  Her memory cannot perish with that of the shuttle Columbia. All those who are indulging in the unholy practice of female foeticide should remember that they may also be blessed with another Kalpana.  

 Dr. J.S. Chugh, Ludhiana

Endless power cuts

The hapless residents of Zirakpur and surrounding areas have been facing power cuts for the past two months. Given four-hour power cuts throughout this winter, one shudders to think what we are going to experience during peak summer. What is more agonising is that no information is released in advance regarding these power cuts.

Domestic life, students’ studies, and businesses, have all been affected. Residents are cursing the day they shifted to this area. What is the Punjab Government doing in this regard?

SEEMA Bhatia, Zirakpur