Virtues of patience

Shriniwas Joshi’s middle “Be patient” (June 9) was delectable. Anecdotes narrated by the writer were brimming with humour, the importance of which should not be forgotten for sense of humour has tremendous power to change one’s life. So one must learn to be patient (having or showing patience) but not to be a patient (one who receives medical treatment).

However, patience should not be construed as a laidback attitude, a sign of laziness, inactivity, lethargy or indolence.

In order to live a balanced life one needs qualities of humility and patience along with purposeful action. With patience one can endure calamities, trials and tribulations.

TARSEM S BUMRAH, Batala

No smoking, please

Nonika Singh’s article “A ‘butt’ that is harmful to health” (June 3) rightly dubs tobacco as the second major cause of deaths worldwide. Her highlighting of its adverse effects on women addicts is timely and praiseworthy. Sadly enough despite warnings, smoking continues unabated.

Tobacco, a leafy plant, was introduced in India by the Portuguese. Inhaling the smoke of its dry leaves through a contraption of pipe called “hookah” spread among ruling classes and commoners. It became a status symbol of the elite.The advent of cigars, cigarettes and biddies, etc. gave further impetus to its consumption. Sustained anti-tobacco publicity through media is need of the hour.

S. S. BENIWAL, Chandigarh

Gold walls

A rational and true Sikh will never commend the proposal of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee to fix gold plates worth Rs 23.75 crore on the walls of the main prayer hall of the Gurdwara (news report, “Gold walls for Bangla Sahib Gurdwara”, June 17).

The Almighty will be more pleased if the devotees use the amount for the welfare of the needy people than gold- plating of the walls. The management should rethink over the issue.

 SUKHDEV SINGH MINHAS, SAS Nagar

II

The decision to have gold walls for Bangla Sahib Gurdwara is in keeping with the requirement of giving a beautiful look to the historical monument. It is not only a service to the Sikh community but also has wider implications at a time when the country is passing through a phase of new challenges and new opportunities. Problems of education of community children and amelioration of the condition of the 1984 Delhi riot victims fall in a different domain.

JAGVINDER SINGH BRAR, Patiala

Empower panchayats

Ranbir Singh in his article “Making panchyats work” (June 15) has rightly justified the genuine devolution of funds for Panchayti Raj institutions (PRIs). To empower PRIs, the third tier of governance, we need to search for alternative sources of financing which can make them self-sufficient.

The compulsory registration of births, deaths and marriages are in the domain of the functions of PRIs. There is a strong case for suitably fixing the fees for birth as well as marriage certificate. The registration of animals and pets, particularly dogs, can also be done by imposing some fees.

Dr M M GOEL, Chairman, Dept. of Economics, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra