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

Can Rahul translate people’s aspirations?

The editorial “Rahul spreads his wings” (Aug 28) made interesting reading. The Indian political system and politics are very complex. To capture political power everything revolves around “votes”. Money and muscle power have started playing dominant roles. Political ideologies are giving way to political personalities.

Illiteracy, unemployment, poverty, corruption and other social evils are affecting independent and courageous thoughts of the people. Negative criticism usually misleads the common people. In such political conditions it is not so easy for a simple and sincere person to use politics as an instrument of social change.

It is not difficult for the Congress to position Mr Rahul Gandhi at the 
centrestage of Indian politics, but the moot question is: Will he deliver? While dealing with Indian politics, one needs knowledge, experience and wisdom. One must be mature enough to keep oneself on the right path despite all calculated efforts made by the vested interests.

No doubt, Mr Gandhi is emerging as a “man of the masses” but he still needs a “political mechanism” to translate people’s aspirations into a reality. The Congress as a political party will have to refurbish itself and make it an instrument of change. Its policies and programmes must cope with the challenges posed by the country’s “pressing socio-economic needs” and “market-driven economy”. Mr Gandhi should go ahead with all gusto and zest. Indian people are wise enough and will recognise his sincere efforts.

SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala

Plug loopholes

When a person loses all hope, he thinks that now the judiciary is the ultimate recourse to get justice (news report, “3 AP judges caught cheating in exam”, Aug 26). But the conduct of certain high court judges and the detail of their assets has lowered the image of the judiciary in the eyes of the public.

The apex court is toothless in taking any action against an errant or corrupt judge of a high court. In our system money power can derail and delay the justice system. The apex court should be vested with the power to summarily dismiss an errant or corrupt judge of a high court. Let us hope that the Union Law Minister puts before Parliament a comprehensive Bill to plug the loopholes in the delivery of justice.

MAJ NARINDER SINGH JALLO (retd), SAS Nagar

Great woman

Mother Teresa was a powerful woman, much admired and respected for her mission and countless acts of mercy (article, “She spoke of loving, caring and sharing” by Navin Chawla, Aug 26). We all have our own heroes¾ people we admire and respect, people who have made an impact on our life and made us look at the world with a different eye. Mother Teresa’s life is definitely an ideal for everyone. She was a wonderful human being and a great woman, and she will always be missed. The continuance of her mission will be a true homage to her.

HARISH K. MONGA, Feozpeur City

Absolute power

It is true that the politicians are more worried about their own wants and needs than the basic needs of the citizens (editorial, “Rain of misery”, Aug 23). Politicians do not join politics for the development of the nation but for their own welfare. According to Lord Acton, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Politicians can earn a good name for themselves if they open schools, free clinics or night shelters for homeless etc. If corrupt leaders remain a part of the government then no progress can take place. According to John F Kennedy, “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”

RAMESHINDER SINGH SANDHU, Khasa, Amritsar

Babu’s wayward ways

Questions raised over the nationality of internationally acknowledged chess wizard and national icon Viswanathan Anand by our clueless bureaucracy have landed the nation in severe embarrassment. This inexcusable faux pas is a classic example of a babu’s wayward ways. This case is neither the first nor the last.

R J KHURANA, Bhopal

II

It is indeed shocking and shameful to learn that the king of Chess Viswanthan Anand, couldn’t be conferred an honorary doctorate because of the insensitive attitude of the ‘babus’ of the HRD Ministry.

What a shame! It clearly shows that we have no respect for real champions. He may be living in Spain but he holds an Indian passport. Why are sportspersons treated as second-class citizens by the babus and politicians? Let us hope that such incidents are not repeated in future.

RAMESH GUPTA, Narwana

Speedy justice Justice JVV Satyanarayana Murthy needs to be complimented on creating a national record by disposing of 111 cases on a single day (news report “Judge @ high speed upsets lawyers” by Suresh Dharur, Aug 30). It sends an appropriate signal for other judges to follow in his footsteps. Keeping in view the scales of justice, litigants should not be made to suffer for the sake of filling the pockets of lawyers. Such a performance on the part of judges will restore people’s confidence in the judiciary. The proactive approach by courts will not only benefit the weaker sections of society and litigants but also enhance the prestige of the judiciary in the eyes of the public. Capt. S K DATTA, Abohar