II

It pains us as ex-servicemen to see the media, executive and legislature doubting the dignity and design of the armed forces. Every act of the Army Chief General VK Singh, arguably one of the most professional soldiers with indisputable integrity and unmatched image, is being commented and criticised by bureaucrats and politicians, who themselves carry official tags of being tainted.

The bureaucrats, who have never seen soldiers living in bunkers under continuous threat to their lives facing inhospitable terrains, project themselves as protectors of the government.

The constant corrosion of defence services has shaken the sense of pride a soldier had during the pre-partition days.

The Generals, Admirals and also Air Marshals should stand for the cause of the country rather than follow the politicians like faithful servants in the hope of plum appointments after retirement.

MULTAN SINGH PARIHAR, Hamirpur

Mismanaged AI

The union cabinet decision to give Rs 30,000 crore financial package to the beleaguered national flag carrier Air India is not a wise decision. It is the bureaucracy that has been mismanaging Air India all these years. Some of the routes legitimately belonging to it were offered on a platter to some favourite private carriers. Also, Air India is mandated to fly to certain un-remunerative remote destinations, for which it is running huge losses. Air India does not have spare plains to fly on several lucrative routes. Induction of Boeing 787 Dreamliners is a good step to stay competitive in the tough international air space.

HARJAP SINGH AUJLA, US

Imperfect teaching

It is surprising that most of the teachers are not able to pass teacher eligibility test conducted by many state governments. A teacher while filling students’ tender minds with ill-assorted and unwanted ideas full of imperfection commits a sin which can never be corrected nor reversed and can never be pardoned . Students’ minds are like moulds which have to be given a particular shape at an early stage. We can see many educated youth around us having degrees and certificates in hand yet disillusioned about the future course of action.

Imperfection starts with class room teaching. Those who are not capable of learning, have taken to teaching.

SUSHMA KUMARI, Hamirpur (HP)

Right mindset

It was shocking and thought provoking to read the editorial "Uncherished girl child" (April 12) in which the writer has rightly pointed out that our mindset is really eccentric in terms of accepting happily the birth of a girl child.

Recently, I saw a play, "Daughter of the Bin" which threw light on a similar subject. One of the scenes showcased how ruling parties do nothing to save the girl child but display their hoardings in every nook of the city. The play, however, revolves around a baby girl who is thrown by someone in the garbage and how a poor beggar adopts her and tries his best to keep her happy. I noticed the moistened eyes of the audience but I am sure, very few people might have actually got inspired from the play.

RAMESHINDER SINGH SANDHU, Khasa, Amritsar

Double standards

The recent bulk transfers of Gujarat officer by Chief Minister Narendra Modi, has been criticised by many leaders including some from the Congress party. Congress blames this move on year-end Assembly elections. The Congress is making sure that the coalition dharma is kept at all cost, even if it means having double standards. That is why their political ally and Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee did not attract the same criticism for sops announced as Bengal gears up for panchayat polls in May next year. Their barrage of allegations suddenly ran dry when the time came to judge Mamta.