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

Let’s cleanse the system of bad blood

HK. DUA’s front-page editorial, “India: Bold, beautiful and the ugly” (Nov 10) was interesting. India is a country of extremes. On the one hand, scientists, doctors, engineers, writers and other professionals aspire to reach pinnacle in their respective fields. On the other, we have unfortunate malnutrition children, corrupt officials, religion exploiters, inhuman militants and self-centered politicians.

We need to cleanse the system of bad blood. Most evils are born because of unduly delayed, unfair justice and the increasing population. The rot in the democratic system needs surgical treatment to discipline the bureaucrats and politicians.

India has the capacity to do away with its ugly part and be bold and beautiful if its people follow the sermons of Guru Nanak, Gautam Buddha, Mohammad and Christ.

Col KULDIP SINGH GREWAL (retd), Patiala

II

Mr Dua has very candidly reflected the three faces of our country. Yes, indeed we are able to hold our heads high on the successful launch of Chandrayaan. We are proud of our scientists at ISRO for the magnificent achievement.

However, the same cannot be said of our politicians who do not look beyond their own interest. There is corruption everywhere and criminalisation of politics has vitiated the system.

Moreover, what worries me is the least concern shown by our youth to take up science stream and choose space technology as their career. The most sought after professions are medical, engineering, IT and accountancy.

MUKAND LAL KAUSHIK, Chandigarh

III

I welcome Mr Dua’s opinion that our politicians should think service before self. But do we have any leader who follows this in letter and spirit? Like our selfless and dedicated scientists, politicians should also think and act big and beyond themselves.

For this, more and more politicians should think and act like statesmen.

National interest should be foremost in their minds. It is the duty of the people and other enlightened sections to exert pressure on them so that they give tickets to honest, dedicated and upright people to contest the elections and keep the criminals at bay.

GURDERSHAN SINGH, Chandigarh

IV

In his article, “Science Nobel Prize” (Nov 9), Pushpa M. Bhargava has observed that often politics, not merit, governs the choice of conferring the Nobel Prize, regarded as the world’s highest recognition of one’s talent and scholarship.

However, in the Indian context, it is not often, but almost always, the politics and seldom merit, governs the choice of national and state awards. In his front-page editorial, “India: Bold, beautiful and the ugly” (Nov 10), Mr H.K. Dua has given an oblique reference to this phenomenon.

Dr KANWARJIT SINGH KANG, Mohali

Bengal blast

I read about the landmine blast in West Bengal on November 2 and the providential escape of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and other VIPs. Prominent leaders are fond of travelling in long cavalcades. This exposes them to destructive elements. The incident has brought the issue of internal security back into focus.

It is surprising how the incident occurred despite the red alert in West Bengal after the serial blasts in Assam. Our VIPs should avoid unnecessary travel by road, particularly in long cavalcades, and if road journey is a must, the itinerary should be kept confidential.

BIKRAMJIT SINGH KOTLA, Vallah (Amritsar)

Ode to bravery

Multan Singh Parihar’s letter “Ode to bravery” was touching and informative. Clearly, the British won the First and Second World Wars because of the Indian soldiers who fought for them valiantly in Europe and Africa, braving and battling difficulties and dangers.

Daring soldiers came to Europe’s rescue at a time when it was in the jaws of death and destruction. The gallantry they displayed in the wars was unparalleled. So were their scarifies. Can the British every repay their Indian saviors for what they did for them?

In Himachal Pradesh, I have seen scores of women – still living – whose husbands played with their lives for the British, thereby widowing their newly-wed teenaged wives in the prime of their youth and bringing them untold and unending sorrow and suffering in their entire lives.

I bow my head reverentially to those unknown, unfortunate and unsung millions of Indian soldiers who could not return to India to catch a glimpse of their native land and of their near and dear ones.

MEHNGA RAM, Patiala

A striking parallel On the basis of certain facts and similarities projected in his article, “Naveen in Modi’s company” (Oct 20), Kuldip Nayar has drawn a correct parallel between Naveen Patnaik and Narendra Modi. Had the opportunity not been provided by the murder of Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati, the Kandhamal project would have been implemented on the eve of elections in Orissa and other states as well. Kuldip Nayar’s characterisation of the Congress leadership in the UPA government is also appropriate. On account of its dithering attitude, it lost the Assembly elections in Gujarat and other states where it was in power. However, it can still retrieve its stance against fundamentalist forces by ordering an enquiry into the Orissa violence. At least, it can proceed against those officers on the basis of the Governor’s report. All officials before joining their official duties swear to uphold the Indian Constitution. Not to act in such situations constitutes willful violation of this oath and rule of law. G.S. BAL, Jalandhar