L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Put peace talks on fast track

I endorse H.K. Dua’s views in his front-page editorial, “Put peace process back on track” (March 26). Indeed, peace talks must not only be resumed but also put on the fast track. The constituency of peace should expand everyday in the positive direction for lasting peace on both sides of the divide. Track I or Track II travellers, the end result for both is peace in the subcontinent and a peaceful settlement of the disputes between the two neighbours.

Both countries share a common heritage, culture and language. So as neighbours we must live peacefully. Why waste money mindlessly on defence? Instead, the funds can be deployed for poverty eradication in both countries. Let us be realistic and have a meaningful economic cooperation. If we live in peace, it will help promote economic advancement in both countries. We should encourage more people-to-people contacts. And with the passage of the time, the people’s emotions and sentiments will be such that the borders will become irrelevant. The peace process should hopefully be powerful enough to overcome the hurdles put up by vested interests.

GURDERSHAN SINGH,Chandigarh

II

Admittedly, the people of both India and Pakistan would like to live peacefully. This is possible if Mr Dua’s five-point agenda is implemented in toto. This will also restore peace and normalcy in the subcontinent.

I particularly commend the concluding paragraph of the editorial which underlines the fact that the days of hatred and wars have gone and a new era of peace and mutual understanding should begin right earnest.

SUNDER SINGH GIANI,Dialpura (Mohali)

III

Both Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif have realised that making peace with India is a better proposition than recurring wars and have thus set aside the Kashmir issue for future generations to resolve the tangle in an atmosphere of mutual trust. Peace should be on the top of the agenda of the new government in Pakistan.

PRAN SALHOTRA, Gurdaspur

Teachers’ selection

During the recruitment of PGI/TGT teachers, the Punjab government has appointed candidates on the basis of marks they obtained at graduate and PG level. However, the universities have different criteria of paper setting and marking. In GNDU, Amritsar, for instance, even university toppers got marks between 73 and 79 per cent which, in other universities, is between 78 and 86 per cent.

As the lecturers’ post are 10 in General category, these seats are further divided into 5:5 (male and female). In five lecturers’ post (female), candidates belonged to Panjab University, Chandigarh, and Punjabi University, Patiala. The post-graduate toppers of GNDU, Amritsar, got jobs as TGT. Like other states, in Punjab too, the merit list should be prepared on the basis of the written test and experience so that each one gets equal opportunity.

MONICA MALHI, Phagwara