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

Judiciary needs drastic reforms

The views expressed in the editorial “Reforming the judiciary” (Oct 28) are really thought provoking. The present system of selection of high court judges leaves much to be desired. Besides, increasing cases of corruption among judges shows that the collegium system has grievously failed in selecting the right persons. Drastic changes need to be made in the selection and training of judges so that people do not lose confidence in the judiciary. A court should evoke the admiration of the public and the bar alike and the courtroom ought to be a temple of justice.

Since courts grant long and unjustified adjournments, how can the backlog of pending cases be cleared? A judge adjourning a matter on flimsy grounds should be held accountable.

Needless to say, the entire judicial set up requires reforms and the corrupt, inefficient and dishonest persons have to be weeded out.

SOM DUTT VASUDEVA, Former Additional Advocate-General, HP, Shimla

Democracy’s weaknesses

It is strange that even after six decades of Independence, we are yet to overcome our shortcomings (article, “Pitfalls of democracy” by Kuldip Nayar, Oct 31). It is equally baffling that it is the “high command” that calls the shots and has the final say. This leads to sycophancy, backstabbing and corruption — the mother of numerous evils in our country.

It is distressing to note that in every election, few women get elected. Money and muscle power seem to play a major role in elections. Hence, a large number of tainted candidates win. The great US President, Thomas Jefferson, was right when he said, “A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fiftyone per cent of the people may take away the rights of the other fortynine”.

GOVIND SINGH KHIMTA, Shimla

Be a vegetarian

It is a fact that vegetarian food is healthy and safe. It is a myth that vegetarian food is less nutritious. Rather it is wholesome. Many people in the west, including celebrities, have become vegetarians. However, the eating habits are a personal affair and every person has the right to choose what to eat and what not to eat.

 MAHESH KAPASI, New Delhi

Pak leadership

One fails to understand Pakistan’s leaders. They are deaf to logic and reasoning. They have turned a blind eye to conditions prevailing in their country. They spend huge amount of money in training terrorists who have often turned into Frankenstein monsters, sparing not even their own country and countrymen.

Thus, after the terrorist attack on the Indian embassy in Afghanistan, came the attack on the highly fortified Pakistan army headquarters. How long will the leadership in Pakistan remain oblivious to ground realities in their country?

D K AGGARWALA, Phagwara

IIT entrance

I fail to understand the HRD Minister’s remark that coaching culture discourages students to attend schools. The argument that raising the bar for the IIT entrance test will encourage more girls, too, is irrational. Instead, the HRD Minister must take a bold step and scrap all entrance exams and adopt a uniform policy throughout the country.

Teachers must give their best to groom the youth. The government, too, must reduce the burden on teachers and allow them to teach effectively.

Dr HARINDER SINGH KANG, Yamunanagar

PM’s offer

It is heartening to note that Dr Manmohan Singh’s talks during his two-day Kashmir visit has brought forward hard-line leaders like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to support a dialogue (editorial, “PM’s offer well-meant: J and K needs peace and harmony”, Oct 30).

The Prime Minister’s “quiet diplomacy” would go down well with the people of Kashmir who have lived in an atmosphere of distrust and violence for many years and Kashmiris would enjoy the fruits of developmental projects that the Centre has allotted to the state.

LAJPAT RAI GARG, Panchkula

Protect trees

Trees help control air pollution and also make the soil fertile. Thus, it is important to protect forests. Unfortunately, there has been illegal felling of sandal wood trees around Jawalamukhi.

The unscrupulous people who cut trees must be given deterrent punishment. It is our responsibility to protect the environment and to plant more and more trees.

RAVI DATTA, Kangra

Control diabetes

The editorial “The bitter truth” (Oct 26) has rightly warned that India, world’s diabetic capital, is heading towards a diabetic explosion. Indeed, the disease not only plays havoc with the lives of patients, but is also a huge economic burden and causes enormous productivity loss.

The high incidence of diabetes in India is mainly due to sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, obesity, stress and calorie-rich diets. Regular exercise, use of sugar substitutes and yoga can go a long way in controlling the disease.

Prof VIJAY SHEEL JAIN, Ludhiana

Indira, a charismatic leader  The late Indira Gandhi was an iron lady who changed the course of history and continued her search for truth throughout her life. Her commitment to a secular and democratic India was complete. In her last speech she said, “Every drop of my blood will keep India alive and strengthen it.” The lady always stood up for the poor and the downtrodden. She was charismatic, decisive and courageous. In 1984, when she ordered the Indian Army to storm the Golden Temple complex, she could not have realised that the action would be disastrous. Dr S K AGGARWAL, Amritsar