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

World needs dedicated men like Borlaug

Dr Norman Borlaug, (editorial, “Needed, another Borlaug”, Sep 15) was keenly conscious of the hungry people and the poor farmers in the developing world and the stark contrast with the affluent and the developed part. He worked for the sake of the hungry and the poor and he remained dissatisfied because the Green Revolution did not wipe out hunger or poverty.

It was his greatness that in his Nobel Peace prize acceptance speech in December, 1970 he stated: “Almost certainly, however, the first essential component of social justice is adequate food for all mankind. Food is the moral right of all who are born into this world. Yet today 50 per cent of the world population goes hungry.”

Hunger still stalks many parts of the world. His successful methods of pest and drought-resistant wheat seeds changed the face of Punjab and of India. Green Revolution made famine a distant memory.

He will be remembered as one man who contributed most in weeding out hunger. His death comes at a time when the spectre of drought haunts many parts of India.

It is a good time to remember his legacy of working for the prosperity of all humans, especially the weaker sections. Indeed, the world today needs more scientists as dedicated as him.

DILBAG RAI, Chandigarh

KAMALJEET MALWA, Mansa

Power hike

I fully agree with the views expressed by letter writers regarding the power hike. On the one hand the PSEB is increasing the power tariff and on the other hand Punjab Government is providing free power to farmers.

Punjab Government must take bold steps to manage the PSEB and should try to lessen the burden on the common man.

Dr HARINDER SINGH KANG, Yamunanagar

Hungry poor

In his article, “Pangs of hunger” (Sep 5), Kuldip Nayar has touched upon a subject which the governments have overlooked. It is a pity that even after 62 years of Independence, we have not been able to provide two square meals a day to vast sections of our population. While, “dal roti” has become a luxury for the poor, farmers are the worst hit.

On the one hand they don’t get a good price for their produce and on the other hand they find it difficult to cope with rising prices of items of daily use. With their small farm holdings, they are not able to make both ends meet.

Dr Y P GUPTA, Shimla

Fight corruption

The editorial “Throw out rotten apples” (Sep 15) was hard-hitting and apt. In India, corruption is spreading like cancer and is affecting the lives of its citizens. Corruption must be fought assiduously and at al levels.

Dr RANBIR SINGH PANNU, Amritsar

Akalis’ dilemma The editorial “Limited exercise: Akali Dal avoids hard decisions” (Sep 14) has rightly stated that the two-day Vichaar Baithak of the ruling Akali Dal in Shimla has not served any purpose as it failed to take any hard decisions for pulling the state out of the red. The subsidies especially for the agricultural sector are proving to be the undoing of the government’s economic health. The Punjab Finance Minister, Mr Manpreet Singh Badal, did not seem to be happy over this development. The Akali Dal is caught on the horns of a dilemma on the question of subsidies. On the one hand it likes to continue with its populist policies to keep its rural base intact and on the other hand the government cannot remain oblivious to its financial condition. HEMA, Langeri, Hoshiarpur