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

Tatra trucks: startling revelation

Based on his personal experience Maj-Gen Raj Mehta (retd) has laid threadbare the controversial machine, the Tatra truck (“Truck with controversy”, April 23). He makes a startling revelation that the use of indigenous tyres, batteries, some engine parts, etc, were not manufactured to the original exacting standards, which rendered the outstanding Tatra truck substandard.

If a simple part like tyres or a battery can degrade the efficiency and performance of an otherwise outstanding truck, then it puts a question mark on the quality of our indigenous products.

A variety of defence equipment like tanks, aircraft, etc, use a large percentage of indigenous components to reduce dependence on imported material. Indian manufacturers, backed by strong R&D, are capable of producing world-class high quality items, but if they have to take the help of bribes, they will dish out cheaper second-rate stuff.

 Wg Cdr CL SEHGAL (retd), Jalandhar

Farm-industry synthesis

BS Ghuman’s article “Going green with growth in Punjab” (April 24) explored the concept of good governance, if Punjab is to come back on its past trail of exponential economic growth. There should be sound synthesis of agriculture and industry along with adequate infrastructure in the state with fiscal prudence in the expenditure. Talking of Right to Service Act, 2011, the writer is sanguine of good governance. These guidelines are salutary and torch bearers, but who can stop the government from wasteful expenditure like the one spent on fleet of luxury cars for the CPSs. In the absence of any vast publicity to Right to Service Act enacted by Panjab Government, no perceptible change has occurred till date, red-tapism persists and the cases requiring immediate disposal are pending. Can the Right to Service Act not be made as successful as the RTI Act? It needs strong will rather than expenditure.

GURMIT SINGH SAINI, Mohali

Value of books

We all need to value the importance of books. April 23 is celebrated as World Book Day and the date coincides with the death anniversary of famous author William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes and the birth anniversary of Maurice Druon.

We must encourage schools, colleges and universities to project and celebrate World Book Day. Functions should be held in school and college libraries and new book stores should be opened.

Books are a valuable source of knowledge encompassing infinite benefits. Reading expands our vocabulary, writing skills, keeps our brain working positively, updates our linguistic skills and expands our imagination.

We particularly need to encourage the younger generation to discover the pleasure of reading enabling them to gain knowledge on difference subjects and improve their practical and theoretical knowledge.

HARPREET SANDHU, Ludhiana

Imbalanced progress

The news report that the HP government will conduct a fresh census of the Western Tragopan (April 23) is a cause of joy and worry also. India has four species of the Tragopan and all of them have been on the endangered species list since 1980. However, for a start, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has set up a captive breeding centre at Sarahan, near Solan, exclusively for the Western Tragopan. That after two decades its population has risen by just over 800 is indicative of the fact that the recouping strategies are also difficult to sustain once natural balance gets off-track due to un-bridled “development”.

Lt-Gen BALJIT SINGH (retd), via e-mail