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

Manna Dey truly deserves Phalke award

The editorial “Pursuit of perfection” (Oct 2) truly reflected the feelings of music lovers. Indeed, the news that the legendary playback singer Manna Dey has been chosen for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for the year 2007 is music to hordes of his admirers.

The award recognises his tremendous contribution to the music of Indian cinema. There is little doubt that he is a perfectionist to the core and whenever his flawless voice has touched a song it has become a classic. He deserves the prestigious award.

He dominated Hindi film music from 1950 to 1970. An immensely talented singer blessed with a golden voice he has a firm base in classical music. One of the greatest playback singers of Indian cinema he has given us evergreen songs that cut across time and age. A living legend, he continues to inspire many budding singers.

SUMAN KUKAL, Chandigarh

II

Well-known playback singer Manna Dey truly deserves the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award. The living legend who has recorded over 3,500 songs and dominated the Indian film music started his playback singing career with the film Tamanna in 1943.

He has a complete command over classical music. His songs like “Poocho na kaise maine rain bitai, Ah meri zohra jabeen, ‘Ae mere pyare watan’ and ‘Yeh dosti hum nahin chodenge’ are immortal songs that continue to linger on the minds of music lovers. However, the award has come to him rather late in life.

BIDYUT KUMAR CHATTERJEE, Faridabad

III

Dada Saheb Phalke Award for Manna Dey was much awaited and well- deserved. He is a versatile singer with a wide-range. Be it patriotic songs or playful numbers or qawalis, he has rendered them all with consummate ease.

MAHESH KAPASI, New Delhi

ISI-sponsored terror

The editorial, “Terrorism with ISI-mark: Pakistan not being honest about it” (Oct 2) has rightly observed that Islamabad is doing all it can to ensure that the perpetrators of 26/11 terror attack remain unharmed and India continues to bleed.

It is an open secret that Pakistan is waging a proxy war against India by using terrorism and promoting various terrorist outfits. The US and the world community are still doling out huge financial aid to Pakistan that is used for purposes other than the intended ones.

The time has come when the US and the world community should take stock of the situation prevailing in the sub-continent and Pakistan be bluntly told to destroy all kinds of terrorist infrastructure, including the training camps the number of which is going up with every passing day. Otherwise, it would be too late to maintain peace and stability in South Asia.

TRISHLA GARG, Panchkula

Fake murder

Five accused faced trial for a (editorial, “Murder that never was”, Sept 25) heinous crime i.e. murder. Later it was discovered that the “murdered” man is alive.

What further proof is required to show that the evidence adduced in the case was false. Evidence was cooked up and the conviction of the accused was secured. The judgement, however, is landmark as it delivered justice and awarded compensation to the so-called accused who had to suffer without any fault of theirs.

B S BHATIA, Chandigarh

II

The editorial painted the real face of men in khaki. The police often misuse power and many times their victims are forced to commit suicide.

The investigating agency should be under the control of an independent authority and a sound system of checks and balances should guide investigation procedures. Besides, training programmes must lay emphasis upon making the police sensitive and empathetic.

JIWAN DASS CHAKRAVARTI, Una

Prison reforms

V Eshwar Anand’s article “Right to life redefined: Speedy trial key to prison reforms” (Sept 30) was thought provoking. While emphasising the need for prison reforms, he has also highlighted the abysmal conditions of jails and suggested necessary amendments in the relevant laws.

Rampant corruption in jails has made the situation worse. It is time to amend the law and ensure speedy justice. Undertrials should not remain in jails for long period.

Maj NARINDER SINGH JALLO (retd), SAS Nagar

Stop lavish spending Jayshree Sengupta’s article “Cut wasteful spending” (Sept 23) has rightly highlighted the misuse of power by the government. It is true that India is a developing country and thus the nation needs more money to progress. India is facing many problems such as unemployment, poverty and illiteracy. Its infrastructure is poor and the government schools and hospitals are not up to the mark. The need of the hour is to take suitable measures. It is shocking to know that ministers spend huge amounts of money on their foreign jaunts. While many political leaders lead a luxurious life, millions live below the poverty line and cannot even meet their basic needs. Political leaders must give up their ostentatious way of living and concentrate on the development of the nation. RAMESHINDER SINGH SANDHU, Switzerland