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

Concerted efforts to tackle security threat

The article “Tackling terror threats: Beef up India’s security” (Jan 29) by Lt- Gen Kamal Davar (retd), contains useful suggestions to hone security. Many recommendations got diluted with the passage of time. There is a dire necessity to form National Security Commission to undertake a comprehensive study of all factors of security and intelligence afresh.

The forces meant for guarding the land borders (BSF, ITBP, SSB) should not be thinned out from their primary frontiers of duty to be placed in the hinterland for other purposes. Porous borders offer opportunities to anti-national elements and terrorist groups to exploit the situation in their favour to disturb peace.

The CRPF is responsible for all kinds of internal security matters and should be fully enabled in this respect to function effectively. The dangerous tendency of some politicians to take sides of terrorists and make pronouncements to their advantage must be avoided as it creates confusion in the minds of jawans facing the terrorists.

S C VAID, Greater Noida

Ber miracle Kudos to Dr J S Bal, Dr DR Sharma and Dr Paramjeet Singh who “revived 400-year-old dried-up ber trees in the Golden Temple Complex” (Kanchan Vasdev’s news report “PAU experts perform green miracle”, Jan 28). Dukh Bhanjani Beri is the sine qua non of environmental planning of the sacred premises. Ber Baba Buddha, the oldest Indian ber tree is the historic spot from where Baba Buddha supervised the construction of the complex. Dukh Bhanjani Beri marks the original eastern extremity of the legendary pond, in deference for which the Amrit Sarovar was created towards the west and the low-lying site was not materially altered. This feature points to the respect that the Sikh Gurus gave to ecology of the place. Guru Nanak Dev and his nine successors created an “ecology of consciousness” that would always aim at universal weal (Sarbat da Bhala) encompassing all forms of life. He invoked reverence for nature. Modern-day environmentalists must learn from the example of PAU experts. Dr S S BHATTI, Chandigarh

Environmental issue

It is strange to note that the state government considered the recommendations of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) as “their views” (news report, “Green ministry’s views not preconditions: State”, Jan 24). The environment clearance in respect of any hydroelectric project has to be obtained from the MoEF before taking up the actual construction of the project.

Ignoring recommendations regarding minimum riparian gap between the two hydroelectric projects before allotment of any project would create many complications for both the government as well as the respective IPPs independent power producers.

Interestingly, the state government is fully aware about the necessity of keeping an adequate gap between two hydel projects and its resultant environmental impact. The issue in dispute is only of the magnitude of the required gap between two projects. The Shukla Committee has recommended the gap of five kilometres and the MoEF a gap of two kilometres whereas the state government is silent on the magnitude of the minimum gap, but wants to maintain some reasonable gap between the two projects.

Under such circumstances, when the state government is boasting of serious concerns on environmental issues, it is not understood why it is not appreciating the recommendations of the Shukla Committee and that of the MoEF. On the other hand, the IPPs should also realise the likely implications on such issues in their own interest.

The lack of observance of necessary environmental protection measures would only result in a situation like the recent verdict given by the Supreme Court in the case of the Adarsh Society Tower in Mumbai.

KRISHAN, Shimla

Punjab’s growth

The editorial “An exercise in half-truths” (Jan 25) has rightly observed that Punjab should come, at least up to, if not more than the national economic growth. In fact, a common man is not bothered about the statistics of growth. His basic needs i.e. clothes, home and bread (may be without butter) need to be provided for.

He is not interested in high-rise, posh and swanky houses, or pizza or burger, or big cars. He wants safety on the roads. If small and marginal farmers should be given free electricity the Punjab government should see to it that their children get education and healthcare.

The trend of acquiring lands from farmers and selling to realtors, builders and investors at exorbitant rates and thereafter selling the built-up houses at even higher prices has created a gap between the people with the result that the rich are getting richer and the poor poorer.

Punjab’s leaders need to focus more on vital and simple issues concerning the common people instead of lobbying for plum berths in the government and the party. Their words must match the deeds. The door to the realisation of happy life opens with end of corruption and nepotism.

GURMIT SINGH SAINI, SAS Nagar

Research quality

The article “Improving the quality of PhD research” (Jan 4) by Ramesh Gupta and subsequent letters “Regulating research” by Rajender Goyal and “Quality of research is more vital’ by Sanjeev Trikha, caught my attention. If Indians really want to move forward in frontier areas not only of scientific research, but also of social sciences with new vision, the quality of PhD theses that students produce (its number is more than 8,500 per year in India) year-after-year under the so-called active guidance of their peers, they have to really be honest and sincere.

For the poor quality of PhD research, only the non-innovative, dishonest, lazy and greedy guide is responsible and not the student who is malleable and can be given any shape by a master craftsman.

RANBIR SINGH, New Delhi