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

How to control crimes against women

The article “Damned and condemned” by Sajla Chawla (Sept 18) has rightly portrayed the gender biased attitudes of our society. We must recall the words of the late Jawaharlal Nehru, “You can tell the condition of the nation by looking at the status of women.”

Until we stop holding women responsible for crimes committed against them, crimes would continue to happen. Women are victims 
of incest, rape and domestic violence that often lead to trauma, physical handicap or death. Rapes, murders and molestation are crimes, repeatedly committed against women in India.

Equally horrific are reports of foreign tourists being sexually assaulted. Crimes against tourists are contrary to our ethos of “Athithi devo bhava” and such incidents impact India’s image negatively.

India as a nation doesn’t know how to treat women as human beings who have a right to dignity and safety. We have to adopt positive measures to reduce crime in India. Drastic changes in the legal system are required as almost all judicial cases in India drag for years. People who are rich or have a political clout are almost never brought to justice.

The judiciary, civil societies, NGOs and the media should be proactive. Only then can violence against women be curbed.

RANI ASRA, Ferozepur

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

Travel agents

The news report, “Travel agents are biggest POs in Punjab”(Sept 6) by K S Chawla was informative. It is good to hear that the Punjab government has finally decided to take action against the illegal travel agents.

According to an old saying, “If you really want to make a million… the quickest way is to start your own religion.” However, today it seems that becoming a travel agent is the best way to rake in the moolah.

It is a fact that in Punjab travel agents are mushrooming. Today, travel and immigration agents are duping many innocent people. 

We know that many students and other citizens migrate abroad. The government is mainly responsible for this. It must ensure that its citizens get work.

RAMESHINDER SINGH SANDHU, Khasa, Amritsar

MPs’ demand

The Planning Commission has rightly rejected the demand for an increase in the corpus allocated to MPs for the development of their constituencies from the present Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore (editorial, “Revisit MPLADS; No justification for raising the corpus”, Sept 16).

The government spending, could if properly designed, serve as a vital ingredient to development. But today politicians think that politics is a business and not a mission. The rural and urban divide is widening despite availability of funds to develop constituencies. A government that truly represents and serves the people is needed.

AJIT SINGH, Windsor, Canada

Reduce pressure

The CBSE has done well by issuing a circular to the CBSE affiliated schools to reduce homework as well as the number of tests conducted by them in the name of CCE (continuous and comprehensive evaluation). Actually, schools are putting students under unnecessary pressure in the name of the CCE scheme.  

The CBSE issued samples papers for the formative assessment to be held in the middle of September 2010. However, many schools did not discuss these papers in the school and conducted the examination in the first week of September. Students were not able to prepare according to the CBSE pattern. 

SHASHI KANT, Patiala

Purity of honey

The editorial “Not so sweet: Fears over purity of honey must be allayed” (Sept 18) proves that even a serious issue like health is not spared when it comes to minting money. Our ancient ayurvedic texts mention many benefits of honey. Alas, today the quality of honey available in the market itself is suspect. Manufacturers should remember that their only job is not to make money. They cannot put the health of people at peril.

ANUP K. GAKKHAR, Haridwar

Ayodhya dispute

Recent articles on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid imbroglio including “Ayodhya verdict” (Sept 17) by Rajindar Sachar has revealed wide ramifications that a religious issue can have in our country. India is already facing many volatile situations. However, an amicable solution must be found to the Ayodhya dispute.

A multi-religious complex as mentioned in Justice Sachar’s article could be the answer to the dispute. India can show the world that we are truly a secular country.

HARPREET KAUR VOHRA, Ludhiana

No quotas

Reservations on the basis of caste are a dangerous trend. It was justified at the time of Independence. But now after six decades of Independence it has no relevance. The policy of reservations has dampened the spirit of the aspiring youth.

Today every section of society is demanding reservations. Now Jats are on the warpath to achieve this. Jobs should be given only on the basis of merit. If the reservation policy cannot be done away with, then it should be on the basis of economic criterion alone.

 RAM CHANDER NEHRA, , Hisar

Teacher-taught bond The article “How to discipline students” (Sept 14) by Balvinder was thought-provoking. Being a teacher, I feel that the guru-shishya tradition is the most pious one. It must be beyond selfishness. I agree that corporal punishment is no solution to the growing indiscipline among students but it is painful to hear about incidents of students slapping their teachers. Such incidents create distrust between the teacher and the taught. Both teachers and students need to introspect and must try to strengthen their bond. It can be done if a teacher works like a missionary and a student has firm faith in his sincerity towards him. I feel that a teacher should elevate himself to the height of greatness and generosity so that students have faith in him. SADHNA BALBIR, Jalandhar Cantt