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The early marriages of the girls is not only a clear violation of their basic human rights but also deprives them of a chance to bloom. Due to early marriages many minor girls become mothers exposing them to greater risks during pregnancy.

The editorial has rightly concluded that while the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 has a provision for making the child marriage null and void, society and the law have to ensure that such marriages are not allowed in the first place.

DILBAG RAI, Chandigarh

Indo-Pak ties

Harsh V. Pant in his article “Indo-Pak peace process: Being too optimistic is not wise” (March 1), reveals ground realities affecting the progress of talks between the two South Asian neighbours.

The policies adopted by Pakistan prove to be a big hurdle in achieving normalcy. The aim of the ISI is to maintain a permanent state of conflict with India no matter what it costs. Huge expenditure goes into funding the Pak-based terrorist groups to continue low-intensity conflict against India and to fuel violence in various parts of country. This has affected the economic progress on both sides of the border. Another important aspect is the creation of the ISI’s sleeper cells in India, which must be tracked and neutralised before any harm is done to people.

Comprehensive change is required in the attitude of Pakistan before it is engaged in meaningful talks. Otherwise the very purpose of meetings will be defeated.

SHARDA BHARGAV, Jalandhar City

Indian weddings

Indian weddings are undeniably ostentatious (editorial, “Big fat weddings: Curb wasteful spending”, Feb 24). But such extravagance does not affect the rich people, who parade their wealth on such occasions and invite political bigwigs to impress people. The sad part is that quite a large number of poor people borrow money to solemnise the marriages of their daughters.

The wastage of food at such social events might not be 15-20 per cent but a lot of it definitely goes to waste. Generally more food is prepared than is actually needed.

It would be much better if the marriage ceremony is kept a simple affair and the money thus saved is given to the Prime Minister’s relief fund or some charitable institutions. Wasteful spending must be curbed.

BHAGWAN SINGH, Qadian

Status of girls

The editorial, “Missing girls: Punjab ought to be pro-active”(March 2) gives a shocking account of how girls are treated in Punjab. It is a shame on the part of both the government and the police that they have been unable to trace the 781 girls who went missing in 10 years.

Surely, somewhere, something seems to be wrong. Corruption and greed for money plays a major role in the discharge of duties by the investigation agencies.

It makes one hang one’s head in shame to know that, on the one hand, the ratio of females to 1,000 male children is plummeting at an alarming level and on the other hand, there is a sharp increase of infertility among Punjab’s males on account of rampant drug abuse.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Bhagat Singh’s dream

Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s name is being invoked by various political parties in phoney ways for serving their own selfish ends (news report, ”Scramble for Bhagat Singh’s legacy”, March 3). Had Bhagat Singh been alive, he would not have touched these political parties even with a barge pole.

The real tribute to the martyr, therefore, lies in seeing through the games of these parties who are  busy grinding their axe instead of fulfilling his dream of making India free from exploitation in any form.

SACHDI NANDA, Chandigarh

Coping with old age

There is no denying the fact during the span of old age, the body is compelled to “welcome” uninvited guests like diabetes, cataract, knee and joint problems, hypertension and renal ailments (middle, “Song of old age” by PC Sharma, Feb 18).

In old age a person is confronted with two problems. Firstly, he has to tackle incurable diseases and secondly feelings of insecurity and helplessness grip him. Society must give the elderly due recognition.