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

Why doesn’t EC question Dera’s politics?

The silence of the Election Commission on political activities of Dera Sacha Sauda in the name of religion has put a question mark on its unbiased approach. No religion or sect can participate in election campaigns. Silence on the issue amounts to failure on the part of the Election Commission. Every right thinking people should oppose influence used by religious leaders on their followers. Such a practice is against the soul of our democracy.

The activities of Dera Sacha Sauda regarding open political support to particular persons and parties should be considered a violation of the election code. Deras should be brought under the election code like others religious places-mandirs, masjids, churches and gurudwaras. The Election Commission should take some action so that elections are free from the influence of any religious sect or dera.    

PARMINDER SINGH, Ludhiana

Teacher-pupil bond

Teaching has become a profession and is no longer a mission. In the days of yore, a teacher’s achievement was not measured on the scale of money, rather his or her relationship with the students was the bedrock of respect. No attention is paid to this aspect while teaching these days. Building a good rapport with students involves many skills like proper communication and listening. Special training programmes should be held in making the teachers proficient in bonding well with the students and allied skills. Values should also be enshrined in the scheme of education. 

Dr S KUMAR, Panchkula

Balanced judgement

The Supreme Court has not only delivered a very balanced judgment but has also done so without delay keeping in view the sensitive nature of the case.

The court played a very mature act, first by asking the government to withdraw its December 30 order and later asking the petitioner to withdraw the case in the interest of all. Though it may be considered a loss for the Army Chief, the judgment is most apt in the interest of the nation and its institutions. It is hoped that the Army Chief will continue his service to the nation as the judgment is in no way against his integrity and professionalism.

Brig HS SANDHU (retd), Panchkula

Actually cruel

There is a lot of cruelty happening behind the scene in the ox-races than meets the eye. Many of the ox-owners hire a jockey, called a 'chavak' in village parlance, 4-5 months before the actual race. The jockey trains the ox in a closed room by pricking its skin and hitting it with nail-mounted stick. At the same time, the jockey makes a particular noise. This goes on for about two hours each day.

During this torturous training period, the animal shivers and makes loud noises. This way the animal associates the pain with a particular voice or shriek and the jockey. Immediately after this session, the animal is taken for practise where no stick is used but the shrieks of the jockey stimulate it. On hearing those particular sounds, the animal starts running to escape from the person.

The 'chavaks' charge Rs 4,000 to 7,000 per month depending upon previous 'performance’. The sport started as a recreation but now has turned ugly with new and crueler techniques being used to win the race.

Er KAMALJIT SINGH DHAMI, US

II

Rural games are a part of our rich culture and tradition. Vices like injecting steroids, stimulants, pain killers, etc prior to cart races or dog races have crept in the otherwise traditional games. In the absence of any stringent checks, these malpractices have attained such a level that ultimately these races had to be stopped. In the race courses, because of very strict laws of doping, jockeys avoid all sorts of malpractices with their horses.  

All out efforts should be made to check inhuman practices so that cruelty to these poor creatures can be stopped, but not the race.

Dr KIRTI DUA, Ludhiana

Relishing bygone days   It was very delightful to read the middle ‘Satnam’s Samosas’ (February 11). The first thing that comes to one’s mind while remembering college or university days is the canteen, its owner and the specialty of that canteen. Remembering college days rejuvenates the soul. My most unforgettable moments are those which I spent with my friends at the ‘Nescafe’ canteen of my college. No matter how much we got tired after our presentations, lectures, exams or seminars, ‘Nescafe’ used to be the one and only place where after having Munna bhai’s maggi, ice tea or coffee, we forgot all our worries. Munna bhai himself was a B Sc graduate and a fun-loving person. Kudos to such a place in every college or university. NAVDEEP KAUR BASRA, Ludhiana