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

Don’t deny justice to Army men

The editorial “Army Chief’s hard talk” (April 3) has rightly shared the concern of the new Army Chief General V.K. Singh on the “internal health” of the Indian Army. In the context of ongoing cases of wrong-doings it is right to say that the Army’s value system has to be different from the civil society and that ridding the Army of corruption has become absolutely imperative for an institution that must always be above board and which is crucial to national security. 

At the same time, the nation must look after its military personnel, their valid interests and honour. One cannot help recalling the recent observation made by the Supreme Court wherein it has slammed the Union Government for treating military personnel shabbily as regards emoluments and pension by “offering a pittance of Rs. 1,000 per month for a man who fought for the country at high altitudes and whose arm got amputated.”

The Supreme Court has further asked: “Is this the way you treat those brave Army officers? It is unfortunate  ...” There are many similar instances of denial of justice.

Wing Commander S C KAPOOR (retd), Noida

GURMIT SINGH SAINI, SAS Nagar

II

The bold decision of the Punjab Government not to enhance the retirement age is appreciable. It will create new job opportunities for our youth. The enhancement of upper age limit for entry in service will provide a chance to many who may have missed it earlier.

KAMALJIT MALWA, Mansa

Personal choice

Marriage is the union of two souls. In times of globalisation, religion, caste and boundaries are meaningless. It is for Sania Mirza and her family to decide and no other person has a right to comment on it. Marriage between Sania and Shoaib Malik might lead to better relations between India and Pakistan.

MAHESH KUMAR, New Delhi

Too much cricket

Commercialisation has robbed the glorious sport of cricket of its lustre (editorial, “Awash with funds”, March 23). Earlier we looked forward to a test series and India’s victory in a match would fill us with a sense of pride.

Now greed for money has led to a surfeit of cricket matches, in which our interest is already on the wane. All the three forms of cricket matches — T-20, ODI and test matches — have their peculiar charm. These can be easily clubbed together in a cricket series that should not be too frequent.

S K SHARMA, Panchkula

Quota for women

V Eshwar Anand has given a comprehensive picture of the quota for women in his article “Quota for elite women?” (March 19). Frankly speaking, the hue and cry for this Bill has been going on for past 14 years and the UPA government has rushed through the Bill for political gains.

As in Germany, UK and Australia, where there is voluntary party quota, why don’t the national parties in India allot 33 per cent seats to women? In case, the Bill is passed in its present form the elite women would benefit more than those of weaker sections. However, in our country reservation has become a norm. There are quotas for the SCs, the STs and the OBCs. The plight of women would not become better with reservations and it would be an exercise in futility.

SHER SINGH, Ludhiana

Lessons from goose

Sarvjit Singh’s middle “Encounter with a goose” (March 20) was lyrical and reminded me of Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. The goose is a metaphor for humans and beautifully enunciates the philosophy of life.

The answers to eternal questions of existence are embedded in our mind and self. Actually the whole gamut of Vedic teachings is presented in an enchanting manner.

ASHWINI KUMAR, Patiala

Dancing to tunes Uttam Sengupta’s middle “The dancing Vice-Chancellor” (March 22) made interesting reading. It brings to the fore the interference of the political heavyweights into the day-to-day functioning of universities and the working styles of vice-chancellors in general. The Vice-Chancellor, referred to in the middle, seemed to be a culturally rich and artistic personality besides being a scholarly person. Ironically enough, there are many vice-chancellors who are also fond of dancing but not to the beat of drums and nagaras, rather to the tunes of their political and official benefactors. While in some cases they do it because of inadequate financial resources, others succumb to government pressure to stay put and thus disgrace the high office. The tribe of VCs, which could resist government pressure, has vanished. I am reminded of a former VC of the Panjab University who, while introducing the five-day week in the university, had told the Chancellor and other bureaucrats who did not favour it, that it was he who ran the university. Eventually, the five-day teaching week was implemented and the upright VC is appreciated even today. Dr IM JOSHI, Chandigarh