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

Address demographic contrasts

The editorial “The educated killers” and the article “Now we are 1210 million” by B G Verghese (Apr 7) are fine commentaries on the census 2011 details and portray diverse aspects of the country’s demographic contrasts and peculiarities. It is being smugly projected that the decadal growth rate of population has declined by 3.9 per cent and that it is a positive sign. But this is statistical jargon and we should not be misled by it. The moot point is that we have added another 18.10 crores to our already bursting population. This large growth will further strain our resources like land, water, air, food, energy, etc.

Population grows in geometrical progression and those knowing the fundamentals of mathematics can comprehend the enormity of this pattern of growth every year. The skewed sex ratio, even in the most developed and educated states like Haryana, is a worrisome retrograde development and is linked to our social ethos which should have been studied by our demographers decades ago to harvest progressive trends at this stage. Population growth is not a phenomenon, which can be controlled in a short span of time. It needs long-term planning which has been lacking.

The incentives now being offered by some states to the parents of single-girl child, are welcome, but these should have come long back i.e. in the sixties and seventies. The state should come forward in removing insecurities from the minds of those parents who do not have a son to look after them in their old age. The girl child should get maximum support, educationally, socially and financially.

L R SHARMA, Haripur, Sundernagar

II

The editorial has aptly described the dismal scenario of Haryana. Despite achieving commendable economic growth rate, the state is still weighed down by its social backwardness. Like prosperity, its population growth is growing unevenly. It is shocking and uncomfortable to know that a daughter is still seen as an economic burden and is particularly unwanted in areas with a highly literacy rate.

The questions always arise on the adequacy of existing laws and awareness campaigns. The political leadership should take effective measures to change the societal mindset that favours girls over boys.

ANJU D ANAND, Chambaghat

High-security plates

The editorial “Secure the vehicles: Implement high-security registration plates” (Apr 9) has raised a valid point. High-security registration plates are tamper proof, non replaceable and non reuse-able. In case of theft, the police can easily trace the vehicle. Computerisation of vehicles’ data can help trace location of stolen vehicles easily.

Under such circumstances number of vehicle thefts will automatically decline and the crime rate will fall drastically. On behalf of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Central Road Research Institute and Automotive Research Association of India have already approved various vendors to provide high security registration plates.

In compliance to the Supreme Court orders, transport officers have to ensure that the required plates are expeditiously fitted on the vehicles. Advantages of modern technology must be derived for better social environment and to reduce crimes in society especially those which affect women and children.

S.C.VAID, Greater Noida

Cheap housing

To the news report (Apr 10) about Haryana Chief Minister’s statement advising the builders while inaugurating the seminar at Surajkund to complete the projects on time, I would like to add that more than the timely completion of housing projects, it is more important to make these affordable to the common man.

Even when the government agencies invite applications from investors, speculators are in such a huge number that a needy person instead of getting a house, loses his hard-earned saving as interest income to banks for getting a loan to apply for the dream house he is never allotted.

ABHAY KUMAR JAIN, Mohali

Governance model The editorial “A feather in Anna’s cap” (Apr 11) was apt. To tackle corruption in India, we certainly need an anti-corruption law. Hats off to the whole-hearted support of the Indians at large to the leadership of Anna Hazare. We can learn from Anti-corruption & Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) in Korea. The advertisement of ACRC in Korean media is worth praising. There is a strong case for India to develop its own standards in terms of good governance. We can call good governance SMART administration comprising of simple, moral, accountable, responsive and transparency attributes. To adopt and accept the normative approach to human resources in governance, it is essential to understand the simple model consisting of six human development activities such as spiritual quotient development, intuition development, mental level development, physical development, attitude development and emotional quotient development. The synergy of these six aspects is an essential requirement for good governance. Dr MM GOEL, Seoul