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

Fight graft to ensure justice

I fully endorse the inference in the editorial “Selection of CVC” (Sept 9) that the government’s track record in tackling corruption has been dented while sending wrong signals down the line. In a similar vein, The Tribune has expressed deep concern and dismay over the massive siphoning off of billions from India (editorial, “Flight of corruption”, Sept 16).

I agree with another opinion that there is a need to revisit the constitutional protection provided to civil servants under Article 311 of the Constitution (editorial, “Tackling corruption”, Sept 15).

Justice and fair play demand that the selection of the Central Vigilance Commissioner, out of the three empanelled candidates, should be done in due consultation with the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. I feel that the CVC should be a retired Supreme Court Judge while his other colleagues in the commission should be from the administration, the corporate sector and social activists of national repute. The CVC should be empowered to confiscate the ill-gotten property and impose penalties and fines. It should not merely be a recommendatory body. It should be modelled on the Indonesian pattern to stem the rot in the system.

In the wake of revelations by the then CVC, Mr Pratush Sinha, that 30 per cent Indians are totally corrupt, 50 per cent on the verge of being corrupt and only 20 per cent are honest, Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily had taken umbrage over Mr Sinha’s observations, saying that his statement had brought down the image of the country in the eyes of the world.

Significantly, Mr Sinha has also revealed that the conviction rate in corruption cases is only 4 per cent. Notwithstanding the government’s reservations on the issue, India is ranked 84 among 180 countries as per the International Transparency’s Corruption Perception Index, 2009.Social, economic and political justice would be a chimera for the aam admi if corruption is not checked in the country.

Dr PREM SINGH DAHIYA, Rohtak

Teachers’ true role

To the editorial “A slap most foul” (Sept 11) I would like to add that many times the behaviour of the teacher towards a particular student is unsympathetic. Some teachers are in the habit of making discouraging and disparaging remarks which can provoke a sensitive and tender student to react and retaliate in an unbecoming manner.

A teacher should be like a good psychologist and should read the mind of the erring student and counsel him instead of nagging and belittling him all the time. A considerable number of teachers act like boorish bureaucrats who refuse to listen to any justification given by the student what to speak of considering it compassionately.

A student may have some personal and family problems which impede his performance and which need to be addressed to. Both the teacher and the taught deal with human material and so tend to respond to emotional disturbances in a negative way also. A teacher is expected to be an ideal parent, an unfailing guide and the best friend of the student, all rolled into one.

CHAMAN ARORA, Ferozepore City

Broad gauge

The Kerala heritage train running in the picturesque hills of Kerala has been bid adieu and a broad gauge is being made instead (news report, Sept 20). Himachal Pradesh too should project a demand for the conversion of Kalka-Shimla narrow gauge into broad gauge. There couldn’t be a better opportunity than now when the National Highway 22 is being made into a six-lane expressway. Broad gauge railway can be laid simultaneously. It will bring in prosperity not only to the locals but also to the public at large. In fact, the rail link can be extended to Indo-China border for security reasons, as it would link Lahul and Spiti as well as Leh and Ladakh. More importantly it will become much easier to transport materials to the remote areas.

Col MAHESH CHADHA, via e-mail

Gill’s impudence

The editorial “Graceless Gill” (Sept 16) was timely. Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill has behaved most improperly by not allowing Mr Satpal Singh to stand with Sushil Kumar for a photograph. Earlier, he insulted renowned badminton player P Gopi Chand also the coach of Saina Nehwal and asked, “Who is he?” when Saina went to meet Mr Gill along with her coach.

The rude behaviour of our sports minister is deplorable. Mr Satpal has shown true sportsmanship by remaining silent. As Thomas Carlyle says, “Silence is more eloquent than words” Mr Satpal’s behaviour speaks volumes of his humility and good manners. Mr Gill must tender a public apology.

J B S NANDA, Ludhiana

Glucose, not sugar

In the article “What diabetics should do during pregnancy” (Sept 15) the word sugar has been used several times. The finding of sucrose (sugar) in urine has been reported rarely, but has not been shown to be of any clinical significance. In a diabetic patient, there is impaired metabolism of glucose in the body, which leads to excess of glucose in blood and urine.

So culprit is glucose not sugar, which is controlled with insulin by checking and maintaining the level of glucose in the blood.

Dr AVTAR SINGH CHOPRA, Kurukshetra

Retired personnel

Rajbir Deswal‘s middle “Generally speaking” (Sept 14) was like a whiff of fresh air in times when the bureaucracy and babudom are at its worst. Today, no official has the courtesy to attend to “retired personnel” irrespective of their status. Often they are treated as aliens because they don’t wield that authority which they had during service.

The writer has done well to highlight the touchy issue. Everyone has to retire one day. We must have due respect for the retired personnel and lead our juniors by example.

HARBANS SINGH, Ambala Cantt