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

Whistleblowers must be protected

The editorial “Protecting whistleblowers” (Aug 7) rightly called for enacting a law for providing security to the whistleblowers in India as they will always be under threat in a society that’s ruled by corrupt bureaucrats and politicians.

It is shameful that the people who are trying to expose corruption are facing harassment. The RTI is a major legislative step in the Indian anti-corruption movement. The principal premise of the RTI is that through the promotion of transparency and accountability, corrupt practices are exposed.

However, the murder of RTI activists and whistleblowers who tried to expose corruption in various government departments is shameful. There are a number of other cases of failed murder attempts, fake police cases and threats. This is seriously affecting the morale of the RTI activists and anti-corruption activist throughout the country.

For strengthening the spirit of democracy, we not only need a whistleblowers protection act in India but its implementation should also be backed by strong political and bureaucratic will.

HARJEEV K. KHANNA, Ferozepur City

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor, neatly hand-written or typed in double space, should not exceed the 150-word limit. These can be sent by post to the Letters Editor, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030. Letters can also be sent by e-mail to: Letters@tribuneindia.com
— Editor-in-Chief

KIRTI DHAWAN, Jalandhar

Don’t politicise games

Dissensions in the Union Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympics Association are posing an obstacle in the way of equipping the nation with making arrangements for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. Commonwealth Games, being India’s biggest ever sporting event is being eagerly awaited for but the factions are not only widening the political divides but also fanning an advancement of disinterest and detachment among the potential audiences. The Central Government definitely needs to take stock of the situation. Let this be a political issue no more.

JAIDEEP MANDER, Adampur, Jalandhar

Omar means well

To the news report “PM for all-party meet, says Sushma” (Aug 6) I would like to add that unfortunately there is an error of perception on the part of BJP leader Chaman Lal Gupta. There is no gainsaying the truth that the Chief Minister of Jammu and  Kashmir is young, dynamic and  democratic to the hilt.

The tradition of Kashmir has been that of multiculturalism, not of uniformity in the religious sense. This multicultural character also brought with it a spirit of democracy because without accepting differences you cannot be democratic. As of now under the instigation of Pakistan and some of the regional parties the majority community of Kashmir wants to create monoculture or a mono religion which leaves no room for democracy to which Omar is wedded to. Mr Gupta has lost sight of this fundamental fact. It is a sad commentary on things that a seasoned politician like him should utter discouraging words at this critical juncture rather than encouraging the young Chief Minister so that he can deliver goods to the best of his capacity.

PREDHUMAN K JOSEPH DHAR, Chandigarh

Implement traffic rules

The middle “The three on two wheels” by B K Karkra (Aug 4) was sarcastically edifying and educative. It drove home the urgent need of abiding by traffic rules while driving on the road. One should feel proud of obeying traffic rules while driving. But in India people feel pride in violating traffic rules and brag about it. It is an established fact that the number of deaths by accidents in India is more than that by diseases.

A cell phone in the present age is undoubtedly a boon for the people but it has its nuisance value also. These days a mobile phone has created an additional hazard for the road users. People make indiscreet use of mobile phones while driving on the road.

They thus not only put their own life in danger but also put others’ life too to at a great risk. Just as there is a rule that helmet is compulsory for a two-wheeler user, the use of a mobile phone while driving is also proscribed. But nobody bothers about rules. There is an urgent need to implement rules. People driving on the road too should realise that human life is precious.

SURINDER KUMAR MAHNA, Karnal

Rafi forgotten A great singer and an outstanding human being Mohammad Rafi’s contribution to the Indian film music has been monumentally matchless. Sadly he has been forgotten by the nation, more so by Bollywood (news report, “Rafi lives on for his fans”, Aug 1). Rafi perhaps was the only singer who was not typed and could sing any song with ease. He had a rare distinction of ruling music industry for over four decades except for a short period when his contemporary Kishore Kumar was in greater demand. Still a great fighter, he regained supremacy before his untimely demise.  A thorough gentleman, he always believed in healthy competition and fair play. To quote an incident, during the Emergency due to some reasons Kishore Kumar was blacklisted and his songs were banned on national radio and television, a God-sent opportunity that any one would have encashed upon. But Rafi pleaded with the then Prime Minister and got the ban lifted. Due to unknown reasons this humane gesture has been underplayed by the film industry. It is never too late. The least the film industry can do is to institute an award in his memory. By the same token, Rafi being a great son of Punjab, I appeal to the state government to institute an annual state music award to upcoming singers and declare his ancestral village a state heritage. Col RAMESH DAVESAR (retd), Pune