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

Haryana sports model must be emulated

The editorial “Players’ due: Haryana rewards them generously” (Nov 3) has rightly lauded the role of the Hooda government in recognising the valiant effort made by states’ sportspersons to win 37 medals in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games. The Chief Minister’s commitment to give government jobs to the distinguished players is a step in the right direction and it should be emulated by other neighbouring states which have equally talented young boys and girls.

The proposal of the Chief Minister to create sports infrastructure at village level in the state was long overdue and if implemented would go a long way to popularise and promote sports. It would not only revolutionise sports activities in the state but may also enable budding sportspersons to get a chance to exploit their talent to compete at the world class competitions.

The Haryana government should pay special attention to the women players who created a history of the sorts by winning many medals. This should send out a clear signal that daughters, who at present are being killed before they see the light of the day, would write the state’s destiny. Women players’ achievements prove that daughters are assets and not a liability.

Haryana must now also fight the anachronistic system of khap panchayats. If Rajasthan and Punjab have vowed to nip this evil in the bud, why should Haryana lag behind?

RM RAMAUL, Paonta Sahib

NIDHI SINGH, Shimla

Spurious liquor

It is a mater of grave concern that spurious liquor has claimed 20 lives in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district and the most shocking aspect is that here too the victims were poor working class people who fail to realise that spurious liquor can be fatal.

The editorial “Deadly brew” (Oct 30) has aptly pointed out that illicit liquor business flourishes in the state as many powerful politicians have close links with the mafia and defaulters are not punished. The need of the hour is to punish those involved, failing which, such types of tragedies will not be minimised.

SUBHASH C TANEJA, Rohtak

II

I don’t agree with the viewpoint, “undeniably tragedies like the one in Gujarat have shown that the policy of prohibition is not the solution.” To me it is beyond comprehension that how it is not linked with prohibition. In fact, prohibition is a must.

Justice Tek Chand’s study on prohibition is relevant. The students of schools and colleges may be taught at morning assemblies the ill effects of drinking, smoking and drug addiction on their health.

RIKHI DASS THAKUR, Hamirpur

Speaker’s plight

The middle “Speaker of my dreams” (Oct 23) by Amar Chandel is a reality concerning the intelligentsia of Indian democracy. The writer has rightly diagnosed the ills of our parliament democracy.

Indeed, the Speaker is today a helpless and vulnerable man who finds it impossible to run the proceedings of the House smoothly.

SUNDER SINGH GIANI, SAS Nagar

Fight corruption

Corruption has become a universal phenomenon. However, the magnitude of the problem has assumed alarming and distressing proportions in India as it is being fostered and bolstered by the nexus among bureaucrats, politicians and criminals (editorial, “Rampant corruption”, Oct 29).

Every year the vigilance commission observes “vigilance week” but nothing concrete emerges out of it. Invariably the small fry is netted while the big fish goes scot-free for the reasons best known to the powers that be. Numerous scams are unearthed only to be buried under the carpet.

I fully agree with the views expressed in the editorial that no government in New Delhi seems to have either the inclination or the ability to crack the whip. True the political will is lacking. Otherwise tackling corruption is not impossible. Transparency, responsibility and accountability are must for the successful functioning of a democratic government.

Impartial, fair, unbiased and unprejudiced use of various anti-corruption measures can help stem the rot. Legal action against the offenders, irrespective of their political connections or pelf or power, must be initiated. The onus to make India less corrupt lies fairly and squarely with the law enforcement agencies, which have a crucial role to play in the elimination of corruption. But they ought to be backed with a strong and unwavering political will.

TARSEM S BUMRAH, Batala

Joy of reading middles The middle “Middle on middles” (Nov 5) by Raj Chatterjee was a wonderful commentary on a middle writer’s struggle. I feel fortunate that I get to read thoughts of some wonderful personalities every day morning in the form of the middle in The Tribune. I am addicted to reading middles and on Sundays and the days when there is no paper (like on the day after Divali), I feel something amiss. Reading the middle is as important for me as a cup of tea at the daybreak. Middle writers send various types of middles. Some concern the days gone by, some are about the things no longer in use like a “bistar band” and others are about the daily rut of life. Some are refreshing like fragrance of flowers in a garden, some are soothing for the soul and still others remind us of our childhood days. BHUSHAN CHANDER JINDAL, Jalandhar