M A I L B A G

Soft drinks: CSE report disturbing

This has reference to the editorial “Deadly Colas on sale” (Aug 4). The picture is indeed appalling if the latest study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is any indication. The study has shown three to six pesticides in 11 soft drinks brands of Coca Cola and Pepsi Co. On an average, these contents are 24 times higher than the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms.

In the United States, under pressure from parents, both the MNCs have reportedly stopped selling soft drinks in the schools there. Why don’t we follow suit? Perhaps we are not worried about the health of our children.

G.R. KALRA, Chandigarh

II

To quote William Shakespeare, “There’s small choice in rotten apples”. The same is the case with Pepsi and Coca Cola. The CSE’s probe regarding residue of pesticides in soft drinks need to be followed up at the highest level and the guilty must be punished.

RANJODH SINGH, Army School, Bathinda Cantonment

III

Thande Ka Tadka is the most appropriate jingle given by Cola companies because much more than the common man, the authorities are more familiar with the soft drinks’ ingredients. Jingles like Thande Ka Tadka or Pesticides Ka Tadka seem interchangeable.

The CSE report discloses the presence of a deadly pesticide, Lindane. This is confirmed carcinogen, Heptachlor, which has been banned in India and was found in nearly 70 per cent of samples. The CSE figures throw light on the disadvantages of consuming soft drinks. All those aping the West blindly should now open their eyes and accept the fact.

The CSE had raised its voice three years back on the issue, but the government kept mum. Had it taken effective steps at that time, the country would have been saved from the burden of consuming harmful soft drinks.

KANUPRIYA BARIA, Pathankot

IV

I do not know why the NDA and UPA governments have ignored the health of its citizens, especially children. Both Coco Cola and Pepsi companies are multinationals and are making huge profit. There is no check on the sale price. Apparently, the MNCs might have greased the palms of top functionaries in the government, which is not known to the public. Soft drinks manufactured by Coco Cola and Pepsi should be banned.

SHER SINGH, Ludhiana  

Ambala-Morinda route

I refer to the letter “Extend track to Sirhind” (July 18). Morinda is already connected to Sirhind on the Sirhind-Ropar- Nangal Dam-Una section of Northern Railway. This is a busy branch line for passenger and goods traffic.

The distance from Ambala Cantonment to Chandigarh via Dulko-Lalru is only 45 km whereas it is 119 km via Sirhind and Morinda. The suggestion of diverting Chandigarh bound trains from Ambala cantonment via Sirhind-Morinda, if accepted, will be most uneconomical.

However, to ease congestion on the main line during emergencies, goods trains can be diverted from Ambala cantonment via Chandigarh-Morinda for Ropar and onwards. For, the distance from Ambala Cantonment to Morinda via Sirhind is 74 km whereas it is 90 km via Chandigarh. The remaining track from Morinda to Ludhiana should be laid and made operational soon.

HARJIT SINGH, Ludhiana

A correction

The Tribune (Page 12, August 8) has reported that an Israeli air raid had killed 40 Lebanese people on Sunday in the southern border village of Houla, as claimed by the Lebanese Prime Minister Faud Saniora.

Please note that Mr Saniora later retracted his claim, saying that only 1 person had been killed in the raid. The retraction was reported by the international news agencies, but found no mention in the report published in The Tribune.

VARTIKA BASSI, Press &  Information Officer, Embassy of Israel, New Delhi