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

Ecosystem needs small, gentle creatures too

House sparrow or ‘Brahmni Chidya’ has become an endangered species (“House Sparrow”, March 22). Birds and animals are co-sharers of the bio-diverse ecosystem. Excessive deforestation, industrialisation, erection of mobile towers, polluted food chains and the indifferent attitude of human beings towards animals have affected the winged creatures.

The excessive use of chemicals, pesticides and other artificial products has affected the food chains of birds and animals. Water bodies and ground water have been polluted by human and industrial activities. It is the collective responsibility of the society and the State to take effective steps to stop the endangered species like sparrow, vulture and other common birds from getting extinct. The government must convert some preserved areas into natural habitats for birds and create ‘bird sanctuaries’ and eco-parks. We must develop compassion and care for birds and animals.

AMAR JEET KUMAR, Mohali

ANJUDEEPAK ANAND, Solan

Universal message

Though our movies are flavoured with dance and music, they appeal less to the West. The world is more interested in reality and so real subjects and issues attract them to a great extent. The article "The Elusive Knight" (March 20) by film producer Bobby Bedi has rightly elucidated that Bollywood films do not enthrall world audience because the issues raised in films are not universal. Movies should have content that inspires people. According to Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, "All theory, dear friend, is grey, but the golden tree of actual life springs ever green".

In Bollywood, very few directors touch real subjects. Madhur Bhandarkar is one such director who makes most of his films on real subjects. For instance, his movie, 'Fashion' threw light on the black side of the glamorous film and modelling profession. Aamir Khan is an actor who is a class apart since he takes up only quality work that also inspires people. It is no surprise that his movie 'Lagaan' was nominated for the Oscars.

Bollywood movies need to more meaningful, inspiring and motivating. 

RAMESHINDER SINGH SANDHU, Amritsar

Valuable monument

Youngsters must visit Khatkar Kalan museum in Nawanshahr. The museum possesses the pen used by the executioner for signing the trio’s (Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev) death sentence; the two original pages of the jail diary in which Bhagat Singh took notes of the books he studied in the jail and a copy of the judgment of the 1st Lahore conspiracy case with Bhagat Singh's notes in his handwriting on the copy. The museum also displays certain memorable belongings of these revolutionary martyrs.

The exhibits seem to be silent reminders of the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs. But it is unfortunate that the valuable monument is not graced by the public. It needs to be projected and developed as one of the most valuable monuments in Punjab, rather than building new ones.

HARPREET SANDHU, Ludhiana

PM’s prerogative

To appoint or drop a minister from the Cabinet is and should be the sole prerogative of the Prime Minister (“Trivedi’s exit”, March 20).

It is clearly mentioned in the Constitution that a minister remains in office as long as he enjoys the confidence of the prime minister. Here the PM had not lost confidence in the concerned minister. Then, is removing Dinesh Trivedi at Mamata’s behest not a violation of the spirit of the Constitution and also the erosion of authority of the prime minister?

Coalition partners should always remember that the sanctity of the Constitution and the authority of the prime minister should be preserved at every cost while running the affairs of the country.

RAVINDER KUMAR JAIN, Ludhiana

Govt for the people

Not being paid pay and perks for performance of duty of officially higher responsibility by a government is denial of justice, to say the least. Raising it in legal forum, takes its own time which shatters a person psychologically and physically. I have personally been fighting my cause at the legal and government level, and now at over 65 years of age, I am still waiting for my dues from the Irrigation department of Punjab. The matter is subjudice in the Apex court. The Punjab government might bail itself out by flaunting loopholes in the administrative machinery in the Supreme Court, but the people at the helm of affairs will also have to answer queries in the ‘court of God’, no smartness will work there.

SD SHARMA, Pathankot

Handling success, failure

Sachin’s pen portrait in the editorial was commendable (“Such is Sachin”, March 19). Critics have already blamed Tendulkar for his slow batting to get his 100th century and held him responsible for the defeat against Bangladesh. It revived the criticism that Sachin plays for records. You have hit the nail on the head with the remarks “But nothing can take away the sheen from the achievement”. Sachin has handled both failure and success with equanimity. About such a man, Shakespeare has aptly said: His life was gentle and the elements, So mixed in him that nature might stand up, And say to all the world “This was a man”.

VIJAY SHEEL JAIN, Ludhiana