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

Misplaced concern over Punjabi language

The editorial “Row over Punjabi” (Nov 29) has aptly described the writers’ concern as “misplaced”. It is painful to know that in our country, matters even of educational curriculum are often used for petty political gains. It would be better if our political-minded writers leave these issues to be resolved by professionals alone.

Who does not know that a majority of our Punjabi promoting leaders prefer sending their children to English medium schools alone, if not to foreign lands? There is nothing wrong in that as the English language today is not the sole preserve of the British but is an accepted bridge of communication among people of many a country.

Though said in lighter vein, once Khushwant Singh rightly commented that the success of a book penned in Punjabi depends upon two things; one, a foreword written by him and two, a review published in The Tribune (English edition).

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

Menace of terrorism

Lack of progress in Mumbai terror attacks is disheartening. The government failed to punish the guilty and even the Kasab trial has not reached any logical conclusion. The need of the hour is to prepare a strategy with the help of Interpol and intelligence agencies of the world to curb the menace of terrorist activities.

NIRMAL KANTA, Mansa

Effective governance

The editorial “Responsive governance: Will babus do what is needed?” (Nov 30) has made the right observations about the working of the government. Simply initiating reforms on paper will not change things.

We have to simplify procedures and introduce a single window system effectively. The introduction of UID is a right step to bring efficiency in the system and will be helpful at all levels.

The use of technology to enhance the access to and delivery of government services to benefit citizens, business partners and employees will work as a tool to achieve better governance in the coming days. Then the babus will do only that what the system asks them to do.

 The existing administrative structures are unable to cope with the demands of programmes for which young and dynamic persons with technical skill are required. There is a need to focus on the state of affairs in the districts where hundreds of functionaries representing different departments are deployed to deliver developmental services which have already suffered because of deterioration in the functioning.

 HARISH K. MONGA, Ferozepur

Meaningful TV shows

The letter of Kshitij Gupta (Nov 23) is the voice of the common people. But TV channels cannot be tackled with law. They must exercise self-restraint and present sombre and meaningful programmes. They must try to inculcate right values of honesty and truthfulness among people through their television shows.

SUDESH KUMAR SOOD, Tarn Taran

Indo-China ties

H K. Dua’s article “China: Straws in the wind”(Nov 11) was apt and timely. Pakistan, which was a long-time trusted friend of the US, has been lured by China successfully to its side. It is necessary for China to oppose India, which is considered an enemy by Pakistan. China understands this arithmetic and so it cannot be friendly with India.

DEVI DAYAL ARORA, Kurukshetra

Policing the police

The editorial “An unholy nexus” (Nov 25) is an eye-opener. It is impossible to raise one’s voice against any politician or the police. Incidents highlighted by the editorial are not going to change the mindset of the law-breakers.

Still, the editorial’s advice to Badals to ensure the basics of good governance is appreciable. A recent book depicts the ‘real’ face of the Punjab police as most corrupt, callous, dishonest, caring a fig for the law. The question that arises is — who will police the police?

JAGDISH SINGH SARPAL, Chandigarh

Man proposes and God... Parambir Kaur’s response (letter, Nov 30) to Justice Mahesh Grover’s middle “99+1=100 per cent” (Nov 25) was as readable as the original piece. Although I agree with both Justice Grover and Parambir Kaur, I have always subscribed to the belief that, in fact, it is 100 + 0 = 100 per cent, where the zero per cent might be claimed as human effort. Man believes he is the doer but the fact is that every breath he inhales or exhales is not his doing but that of some other hidden force granted to him by the Almighty. Man has landed on the moon and travelled beyond and has developed a few artificial limbs (read components of the human body), but he cannot assemble all these parts and make the assembly breathe. For that matter, man cannot make the vegetable breathe like humans. All this is not to say that we do not need to put in our efforts and continue with our search of limitless and unfathomable wonders supporting various life systems. Only we do what He desires us to do and we bow before Him and pray to Him when he so desires us to reach Him. On our own we are all nothing but vegetation in another form. Perhaps all that we can wish for is that He keeps us guiding on the righteous path.  TEJINDER SINGH BEDI, Faridabad