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

Punjab govt must follow fiscal discipline

The editorial “Punjab’s mounting debt: The Centre offers a way out” (Oct 4) was apt. It suggested that the Punjab Government should accept conditions for sorting out the present financial mess by introducing fiscal discipline. The Centre’s willingness to absorb almost half of the present debt of Rs 71,000 crore is a rare opportunity for Punjab if the government shows the guts for trimming top-heavy administration, abandoning political profligacy, cutting power and water subsidies, introducing property tax, allowing an audit of local bodies by the Comptroller and Auditor-General, raising urban development income and reducing VIP security.

The rare chance offered by the Centre must be availed of by setting its finances in order. People may not mind fresh taxes if leaders undertake austerity measures for themselves and discard the policy of appeasement for vote banks.

Capt S K DATTA, Abohar

Memorable victory

What a great victory and what a great test match it was! Heartiest congratulations to team India for this unexpected and thrilling win over Australia. When skipper MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Sing were out after scoring two runs each and India were at 124 for eight, Indian cricket lovers were despondent.

But an 81-run stand for the ninth wicket between VVS Laxman, who was not even able to walk properly due to back spasms, and Ishant Sharma saved the day. Sachin Tendulkar’s first innings of 98 and second innings of 38 runs surely made a valuable contribution. But his second innings performance once again proved the lack of winning capabilities, which raises a question: should Sachin take a leaf out of Laxman’s book on how to win matches?  

With this victory, India took an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series. Kudos to India for their memorable victory.

BIDYUT KUMAR CHATERJEE, Faridabad

II

VVS Laxman, (very, very special Laxman) did a Herculean job with his invincible knock of 73 not out, at a time when every run mattered. Any good player can pile up a big score and take wickets in the normal course, but in the ‘line of fire’ the winning streak, is rare. Man’s true test of strength is in crisis. He played with a balanced strategy and turned the table in India’s favour.

He undisputedly deserved the “ Man of the match” honour, and therefore naturally, the cricket fans all over the country felt disappointed when it did not happen.

B.M.SINGH, Amritsar

Misleading report

To the news report “Scientists find flaws in poly houses” (Sept 19) I would like to add that our university has not found any flaw in the poly houses under ambitious Pt Deen Dayal Krishak Bagwan Samridhi Yojana. The shortcomings mentioned are only suggestions by the University and these are being taken care of by the state department of agriculture while getting these poly houses constructed.

It is correct that we have a research project on poly houses and we have suggested certain measures to improve the working of poly houses, including making double doors. Most of the farmers have already implemented this and some other suggestions.

There is a perfect coordination between the university and the state department of agriculture and allegations of lack of planning and coordination between scientists and bureaucrats are totally false and incorrect. Such unfounded reports only confuse the farming community and unnecessarily try to malign the excellent joint work by our university and the state department of agriculture.

Dr HIRDAY PAUL SINGH, Joint Director, (Information & Public Relations) CSK H.P. Agriculture University, Palampur

Admission scam

The Tribune investigation by Chitleen K Sethi has opened the eyes of millions of parents and aspirants and to some extent has shattered their dreams too. The Tribune has really done a bold job in uncovering the admission scam. It seems that the nation is heading towards disaster in all fields of life. It is doubtful that the vision of becoming a superpower will ever be realised.

PRIYADARSHI AJEYA, Kangra

II

Indeed, it was shocking to learn that unscrupulous agents sell medical seats in the country for hefty sums. Rather they have made a mockery of the system of higher education.

The editorial “Dubious medical admissions” (Sept 29) has rightly held that corruption is eating into the vitals in every walk of life in the country.

SUBHASH C TANEJA, Rohtak

Twain’s adventures  It was heartening to go through the middle “Mark Twain’s memoirs” (Oct 2) by Lieut-Gen Baljit Singh (retd). It can be easily said that anyone’s childhood would be incomplete without reading Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” His subtle sense of humour and insight into child psychology comes to the fore in these evergreen classics. One just cannot stop laughing at such realistic and amusing narration of some scenes. Twain’s wish that his autobiography be published 100 years after his death was probably his one last bid at being his humorous best. One really cannot amply praise the quality of his writing. He was so right when he observed, “I have been complimented many times and they embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough!” PARAMBIR KAUR, Ludhiana