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The article was interesting, explicit and an informative piece of writing. Before Mr Chengappa assumed the office of The Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune, his profile published in The Tribune briefed readers that he was born in Ferozepur. It was concurred that maybe he was born of south Indian parents settled in Ferozepur. Now his article has unravelled his Punjab connection.

It is gratifying to have “Punjab da puttar” Mr Chengappa at the helm of affairs of The Tribune, the voice of the people. We are proud to be Indians first but we are also proud to be sons of Punjab. It is this spirit that plays a crucial role in keeping India’s unity and integrity intact.

Sports mail was a regular feature of The Tribune and appeared twice a week during Prem Bhatia’s tenure. It became a weekly feature later and was stopped altogether. Could it return with the return of the “puttar”?

TARSEM S. BUMRAH, Batala

Real Badal The pen-picture drawn by Navin S Garewal (May 1) does not fully fit in the frame of Parkash Singh Badal, the four-time Chief Minister of Punjab. His indecisiveness and procrastination (not ambiguity) is harming the state. His real and unforgettable contribution to the national cause lies in maintaining communal harmony in Punjab. Simultaneously, he de-fanged the hawks in his party. He kept his cool during the heydays of terrorism. He maintains a pleasing personality sans arrogance. But he showed parochialism for settling the inter-state disputes with Haryana. His major drawback has been that unlike Sardar Partap Singh Kairon he did not develop a robust vision for developing Punjab. The state, once a sword arm of India, is grappling with twin problems of economic morass and social malaise due to the excessive consumption of liquor, intoxicants and drugs in the rural areas. One doubts if the younger Badal i.e. Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, will be able to vanquish the two enemies of the state. RAM NIWAS MALIK, Gurgaon

Heartening success

The editorial, “Overcoming odds” (May 8) has rightly highlighted the success of Dr Shah Faesal from Jammu and Kashmir who topped the prestigious civil services examination. His success proves that anyone can achieve his goals with determination and hard work.

That a person from a village of militancy-hit Kupwara area could be a topper is heartening. Both he and Sandeep Kaur, the peon’s daughter, have been successful despite the fact that they faced many odds. How one wishes that the Public Service Commissions of the states were also as upright and fair as the UPSC and provided equal and fair opportunity.

Brig HS SANDHU (retd), Panchkula

Governors’ removal

The editorial “No arbitrary removal” (May 10) aptly highlighted that the post of the Governors must be given the dignity they deserve in the discharge of their lawful duties and they must not be made puppets in the hands of the Central Government.

The Centre should refrain from dismissing Governors who are the appointees of the previous government. Every government at the Centre wants incumbents of their choice, but it is unfair to remove Governors.

GURMIT SINGH SAINI, Dubai

Divisive census

Census is basically a head count of the population of the country (editorial, “Counting castes”, May 8). A secular, democratic and forward-looking country with clear aims and objectives needs to know only the approximate number of people within its territory.

Anything which is divisive in nature and will lead to contradictions and fractures within society must be ignored.

JAGVINDER SINGH BRAR, Patiala

Self-styled godmen

The editorial “Fall from grace” (April 26) was timely and depicted the true picture of self-styled godmen and their activities. There is a widespread resentment in the public against such fake godmen.

India has a rich spiritual tradition and religious leaders have a large following but the misdeeds of some self-styled godmen shatters their faith in them. The public is shocked by their dubious actions. People must be cautious and should not follow such godmen blindly.

TD BHARDWAJ, Phagwara

Prevent suicides

Nonika Singh’s article “Quitting life early: Suicides are preventable tragedies” (Apr 29) was timely. Often when a serious call for help is ignored, individuals get desperate and resort to suicides. Life is not always the easiest of things. May be due to depression or an adverse reaction to something, people find themselves on the brink.

Suicides can be prevented if the opinion of a counsellor or a psychologist is sought to tackle mental illnesses. People should remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not of weakness. In fact the key to suicide prevention lies in being able to recognise the symptoms and the warning signs well in time.