M A I L B A G

Restore people’s confidence in the system

This has reference to H.K. Dua’s article, “Tragedy of politics: Power brokers are capturing the system” (June 9). Our politicians and bureaucrats are becoming richer and the tax-payer poorer, resulting in the widening of the rich-poor gap which would never be bridged in the coming decades. Eradication of poverty and unemployment are now things of the past. Now our parliamentarians are only fighting for power by hook or by crook.

Nothing should be added to the Editor’s column that public confidence in the politicians’ honesty and sincerity has been eroding for long and the general public are being punished with rising prices of essential commodities. There seems to be no hope of any improvement in the present corrupt system. Whither democracy?

SUNDER SINGH GIANI, Dialpura (Patiala)

II

Earlier, IAS and other civil service officers were known to function impartially and fearlessly and politicians and the Press acted as watchdogs over the executive. While politicians are now turning unscrupulous and highly self-seeking, some bureaucrats serve their political bosses and indulge in self-aggrandisement.

The media and intellectuals should try to involve citizens in issues of vital national importance like good governance, eradication of corruption, women’s empowerment, environment protection through sustainable development and energy conservation.

D.R. KAPOOR, Panchkula

III

Mr Dua has rightly stated that public faith in the politicians’ integrity, honesty, character and sincerity is shattered. Considered to be a man of the modern world, Pramod Mahajan could handle every job with some finesse both in and outside his party. People used to see him as the future Prime Minister for his rare organisational capacity, his affability and ability to reach out to the people across the divide.

However, Pramod had his personal family-related problems and was ironically shot dead by his own brother. What is revealed after his death — a stink of corruption, drug, crime and depravity so common with most of today’s politicians. His son Rahul Mahajan has been arrested under the Narcotics Act and the story goes on.

Dr S.K. AGGARWAL, Amritsar

IV

I fully endorse Mr Dua’s views on the unscrupulous politicians. As for the Rahul Mahajan episode, his story is no different from others. A large number of youth including girls, many of them students, mostly from affluent families, are hooked to drugs and other abuses, with parents remaining unaware for long.

Their de-addiction and rehabilitation should be our first concern and not their prosecution. We should be part of the solution, not the problem and reach out to the misguided youth. Prosecution should be the last resort.

Wg-Cdr C.L. SEHGAL (retd), Jalandhar

V

Mr Dua’s article reminds me of W.B.Yeats’ words: “Things fall apart/ the centre cannot hold/ The best lack all conviction/ while the worst/ Are full of passionate intensity.”

The country, which began on a promising note, has degenerated and landed itself into social, moral, cultural and political morass despite rapid strides in science and technology. Politics is no longer a mission but a profession to grab power and money.

I agree that the sooner the nexus between the politicians and the power-brokers is broken, the better it would be for Indian democracy. The solution lies in massive political awareness, judicial activism and a responsible media.

AMRIT SACHDEVA, Kaithal

The burden of schoolbag The Human Rights Commission should look into the problem of students carrying heavy school bags. In Kerala, the children have been freed from this burden mainly because of the constant pressure of parents, doctors, the Human Rights Commission and the Education department in that state. In Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh too, the school children should be freed from this burden. This issue, being very old, all parents are tired of suggesting reforms. There is some hope now for our children here to feel light and get rid of the unnecessary weight on their backs. SURAJ R. K. KAPOOR, Solant

Correction

Kindly refer to the editorial of June 13, 2006 issue of your newspaper titled “Voting from abroad.”

It may be pointed out that the last para of the editorial regarding making arrangements for NRIs to vote abroad through postal ballot is incorrect. The factual position as envisaged in the proposed Bill on Voting Rights is as follows.

It has been decided by the government to enable the Indian citizens absenting from their place of ordinary residence in India owing to their employment, education and otherwise outside India to get their names registered in the electoral rolls of the concerned constituency of their place of ordinary residence in India had they been in India so that they would be in a position to cast their votes in elections to the Lok Sabha and to the State Legislatures in case they happen to be in their constituency at the time of polls.

MALAY MISHRA, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Govt of India, New Delhi