II

It is a travesty of business ethics that we see the government providing relief in terms of compensation while the owner gets off lightly. The factory did not have a safety certification. Let this incident not go the Uphaar tragedy way which  took two decades to be resolved in courts. The Punjab government  seems to be engaged in wiping the tears of the industrialist rather than the public that has suffered.

The other industrial units owned by the blanket factory owner should be immediately shut down till they can be thoroughly inspected. The workers rendered jobless should be paid at the owner's expense.

NRIPINDER SINGH AULAKH,Bathinda 

Delaying tactics

BG Verghese in his article ‘Hopelessly mired in the past’ (April 11) has aptly pointed out that the government too has much to answer for endlessly delaying the execution of death penalties and disposal of many petitions. The Sachhar report’s key recommendation in favour of moving from reservation to an equal opportunity regime remains pending.

There is no doubt that procedures do matter but not if they inherently ignore outcomes. Every action in the interest of the nation must be result oriented if the country is to make progress, mindful of shutting the door to corrupt practices.

SUBHASH C. TANEJA, Gurgaon

II

When people compare the statistics of development in China vis-à-vis India, they must also perambulate the political set up, its commitment, stringent implementation of laws and speedy justice delivery apparatus in China. In the name of democracy, the “Luddites” are out to destroy the “idea of India”. It is true “bold policy makers… are hounded after the event” and “judgments are too often made ex post facto with the wisdom of hindsight’ in India by the Opposition, commissions of inquiry and institutions like the CAG. Bureaucracy, instead of fast tracking the processes is increasingly becoming an impediment and holding the system hostage to procedures.

Lt-Col BACHITTAR SINGH (retd), Mohali

False hope

I have some different views regarding reincarnation, existence of after-life and immortal souls (Pritam Bhullar’s middle “Losing a Life Partner”, April 14).

Scientists continue to make attempts to understand the mysteries of nature and there are many scientific studies which explain the delusion of near-death experiences. Many of the phenomena associated with near-death experiences can be biologically explained.

It has been shown by psychologists that the near-death experience is a product of the dying brain and shaped by the individual’s cultural expectations. The temporal lobe is especially prone to inducting hallucinations, memory flashback, and other visions after death when undergoing oxygen deprivation.

In experiments, scientists have been able to create delusions like the vision of going through a tunnel, seeing a soothing light and an illusion of being outside one’s body. Nevertheless, a lot of research is still needed to understand the working of the mind. Believing a falsehood just because it gives us hope and relief from pain is against human spirit.

Er KARANDEEP SINGH CHAHAL, Amritsar

Anna dear

The conflict between the leaser and the lessee is age old with the former wanting his asset back after the expiry of the lease and the latter refusing it on the plea that it is required by him for a useful purpose. So is the case between the HP government and the army. Indeed the army, like a good tenant has spared no efforts to retain the original charm and beauty. More than this, Captain Kennedy would be turning in his grave for naming the ground on his love, Anna.

It is, indeed strategically important for the army, as has been proved during the three wars from 1948 to 1971, when Annadale was extensively used by the commanders of the western command to conduct operations. In 1962 during the Chinese aggression it was used for evacuation in Kinnaur district. Also year after year, it is used to serve the far-flung areas of the state.

Col MAHESH CHADHA (retd), via e-mail