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

Interrogating Headley will not help

I agree with the views expressed in the editorial “Calling Headley’s bluff: Question him but don’t scuttle his US trial” (March 29). The US does not want to extradite David Coleman Headley to India, because he is capable of spilling too many beans.

Headley has been enjoying powerful connections in both the US and Pakistan. While interrogating him, the FBI has collected sensitive information, which can be embarrassing to both the US and Pakistan. Since the US has vital military and strategic interests in Pakistan, the US authorities are more interested in keeping the sensitive information under wraps.

I don’t think India can extract any sensitive information from David Headley in respect of his involvement in the 26/11, if it investigates him in the US. His testimony in the US will be just like a television interview between the two equals. He won’t be under any pressure to answer questions. I also agree that the life sentence in India is in fact a 15-year prison term. We must review life sentence.

HARJAP SINGH AUJLA, New Jersey, USA

Political untouchables

The recent furore over Amitabh Bachchan has ratified the undemocratic principle of political untouchability embraced by the Congress. The party should see reason and shed its tunnel vision.

Surely, the Congress has no right to speak of socialism, secularism and democracy.

O P COUSHIK, Kurukshetra

Single women

Nonika Singh’s article “The single woman syndrome” (March 29) shows that a whiff of fresh air is blowing (vis-à-vis gender issues) across the globe, except India. She quotes Advaita Kala to emphasise that this emerging trend is confined to metros. Still, many single women face problems.

Bold and determined women can of course carve an independent identity anywhere. Otherwise discrimination against the fair sex, as abominable practices like female foeticide amply prove, is rampant.

AKHILESH, Garhshankar, Hoshiapur

Check malpractices

Bihar deserves kudos for planning to regulate and control coaching centres in the state (news report, “Bihar to tighten grip on coaching centres”, March 22). In fact, private coaching centres have mushroomed not only in Bihar but also in every nook and corner of the country. They exploit gullible students.

Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal should take a cue from Bihar and introduce legislation at the All-India level to regulate the functioning of private coaching centres. Lakhs of parents will only be too grateful if malpractices prevalent in the coaching centres are curbed.

J P GARG, Chandigarh

Go cycling

Mother earth abounds with flora and fauna. However, rising pollution levels pose a serious threat to rich natural resources. Instead of using cars, jeeps, scooters and motorcycles we must switch over to cycles. Cycling will not only help reduce the problem of pollution but also has many more uses. It is easier to park and provides exercise too.

PANKAJ GOSAIN, Kandaghat, Solan

Life’s essence

N.S. Tasneem has given the essence of life in the middle “Canopy of moments” (March 30). Life can be summed up in one sentence for one who has lived it or has lived most of it. It is only past which is real and alive while the future is uncertain and only wishful.

Winner of Sahitya Academy Award and numerous other honours the writer’s life has been a beacon of light for others. He has done well in describing the essence of life, which speaks volumes, is eloquent and explains the footprints on the sands of time.

Dr RAJINDER SINGH, Jalandhar

Drug addiction

Drugs are ruining the lives of youth (article, “Growing-up pressures” by   Harpreet  Sandhu , March 30).  It is a matter of concern that drug abuse is increasing day by day.  Universities, colleges and schools are easy targets.  In Punjab, politicians do precious little to find a solution to this problem. Strict action against drugs peddlers is the need of the hour.

JATINDER KOHLI, Jalandhar City

Wheat glut

K S Chawla’s article “Managing the glut” (March 30) was well-researched. The loss of thousands of tonnes of wheat lying in the open during two financial years speaks volumes of the lackadaisical attitude of the successive governments in expansion and upgradation of storage facilities.

It is a sad state of affairs that the recommendations of the commissions appointed to suggest remedial measures are seldom implemented by the governments for reasons best known to them.

In an age of technological advancement we are still grappling with the problem of poverty and hunger amidst plenty. Stocks rotting in the open should be released to the hungry at half the procurement price. Otherwise, it will be rendered useless for human consumption.

KULDEEP SINGH, Una

Army’s health

General VK Singh’s expression of concern regarding the internal health of the Army is relevant, timely and appreciable. Senior officers should set an example of integrity and uprightness, for their subordinates. Corruption if weeded out at the top level would send a correct signal down the chain of command.

Brig VK SHARMA (retd), Chandimandir

Cancer registry is welcome The move to set up a cancer registry unit in Punjab, which will cost Rs 40 lakh funded by the Centre, is welcome. The population-based cancer registry will be located at Bathinda, the area that has the highest incidence of cancer cases in Punjab. It is hoped that the Punjab Government will establish a multi-speciality hospital at Bathinda, so that cancer patients would not be forced to take the “cancer train” to Bikaner. It is very important to establish the reasons of high incidence of cancer at Bathinda. The government should establish an expert committee to guide investigations and analyse results. Dr G S DHILLON, Chandigarh