M A I L B A G

Suicide in Jammu deplorable

I appreciate The Tribune for carrying an editorial “Suicide in Jammu” (Oct 14) and for covering the news item on the front page. Incidents of such kind are on the rise in the country in the recent past. In retrospect, one recalls the times when teachers were an ideal for the students and they were respected by all. Teachers were equated with God in our religious thoughts.Sadly, there is a steady decline of human values and the lofty aspect of philanthropic spirit for which India was once known. The editorial rightly suggested replacing the corporal punishment with fine; this appears to be a cogent alternative.

Today’s teachers are lacking in keeping a positive frame of mind and also virtue of patience while indulging in the pious endeavour of imparting education. The teacher in question was aware of the fact that the student’s parents were forced to migrate from Kashmir to Jammu owing to communal turmoil. However, instead of helping the student, the teacher provoked the end of a precious life for the meager amount of Rs 700 which the parents were willing to pay.

YASH PAL SINGH DHAULTA, Advocate, Shimla

II

The so-called private schools seem to be beating all records in torturing students. Strangely, most parents and even NGOs are complacent on this malady. Those who still go by the adage, ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ betray total ignorance of the efficiency of psychological techniques. ‘Spare the rod and prepare the child’ should be the motto in our democratic set up.

In any case, the likes of the teacher, Kirtan Singh, in our schools — whether in Jammu and Kashmir or Punjab — should be identified and thrown out of the system. The rod as a weapon of instruction must be eliminated from our schools.

MOHAN SINGH, Amritsar

Abu Salem as MLA?

For smooth functioning of parliamentary democracy, free and fair elections are a must. Those with criminal antecedents must be banned from contesting the elections, as directed by the Supreme Court on May 2, 2002.

The apex court has ruled that every candidate contesting an election should declare his criminal records (like convictions and charges), his financial records and educational qualifications. The Tribune report (Oct 23) that Abu Salem is preparing to contest the election and has managed to display posters at Azamgarh is cause for concern.

The Election Commission and the law enforcing agencies should stop Salem’s further advances in this direction. If such people win the elections, it will be disastrous for our democracy.

Dr S.K. AGGARWAL, Amritsar

II

I am surprised to know that Abu Salem is trying for a party ticket to contest the ensuing Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. All the political parties should give due attention to the past record of Abu Salem.

Nowadays, it has become a habit for criminals and underworld dons to wear khadi to prove their innocence. This is indeed alarming. No, Abu Salem should not be allowed to contest any election.

GAGANDEEP SHARMA, Ferozepore City

Post office shifted

The people residing in Shanti Kuti, Chakkar, Motor Barrier, Boileauganj, Shimla-5 and surrounding areas are facing hardship following the shifting of the Post Office from Boileauganj to Summer Hill, Shimla. The people are facing difficulty in going to the new post office. Even otherwise, the new one at one corner is very congested.

If the P&T Department is unable to locate a suitable place for the Post Office at Boileauganj, Shimla, then the state government should provide a suitable place for the post office in public interest.

ANIL TANWAR, Shimla

Kathlore bridge

The inauguration of the Kathlore bridge is the new hope for the people of Narot and Bamiyal blocks of Gurdaspur disctrict. The bridge now connects these Kandi areas with the rest of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

The new route is good from the business point of view. The Kathlore bridge has reduced the distance between Dinanager and Kathuva. We hope that the bridge will give a fillip to the development of Kandi areas.

TARNINDER PREET SINGH, Jatpura (Kapurthala)

 

People, not ‘men’, at work If Chandigarh is one of the most beautiful places of India today, the credit should necessarily go to the Chandigarh Administration. However, I would like to draw the authorities’ attention to one odd practice. This is regarding the practice of placing the signboard ‘Men at work’ on the roads where the work/repair is in progress. Paradoxically, behind these boards, one finds that almost half of the workers are women. These boards reek of patriarchy and stand in blatant disrespect to the contribution of the women labour force in nation building. Let’s acknowledge the women’s work by replacing these boards by new ones like ‘People at work’ or ‘Friends at work’. We live in a gender-sensitive and a gender-equal City. Let us show it in practice. After all, as they say, words can change the world. SANTOSH Kr. SINGH, Lecturer, Govt. College, Sector 46, Chandigarh