II

The editorial has aptly described that we as parents are only emotionally attached to our children without bothering for aspects of safety and security. Issues like the Norway kids episode are common in developed countries where the child is fully insured and secured right from the time of birth. One has to go to the family doctor for periodical check up. Significantly, the citizens use their right to complain the mistakes of others without facing undue harassment. Baby care centres are strictly watched as per law. You are penalised for ignoring norms like no baby seat in the car, safety belt or unattached child. Our country has multifarious hurdles in enacting such laws like emotional attachment, financial compulsion and poor enactment and implementation of rules.

AS ANAND, Ludhiana

Red corridor

The vulnerability of the Indian people and property at the hands of gun-totting groups is no longer hidden from anyone. Maoists are spreading like poisonous weeds in the remote areas of almost nine states. There may be those who justify their ends, but their means can not be justified on any account. The so-called red corridor is spreading and it is high time that each and every authority responsible for the security of the law-abiding citizen take whatever measures are required. Bruised egos should not come in the way of finding a solution. There is no harm in a fair and open discussion on the proposed NCTC. The differences can be easily eliminated. Terrorism is a common enemy; there must be no laxity or any bargaining in this respect.

Prof MK SHARMA via e-mail

II

Gen Kataria’s article “How to meet the Maoist challenge” (May 2) gave some practical tips on tackling the Maoists menace and should prompt the government to put on the thinking cap. The Maoist menace is now not confined to regional boundaries; instead it is challenging the very pride of the nation, making the Indian state and its machinery seem like hapless sheep in front of the ‘Red’ tiger. Truly, with no basic safety protocol in place to prevent future abductions and no anti-hostage policy, how are we expecting to fight the Maoists?  At the face of it, the Maoists seem to have a better strategy in place than the counter-insurgency forces.

Dr RAMNEET, Jammu         

Neglecting education

Jayshree Sengupta in the article “The unhappy Indians” (May 3) has convincingly brought out the maladies in education in general and accessibility of quality education in particular. Private schools are thriving in rural areas due to malfunctioning of government schools. Exodus from government to private schools is quite common. The government is busy with opening and upgrading schools without any consideration to nurture and maintain the existing schools.

Primary education is in a shambles with teacher absenteeism, poor infrastructure and work culture and distressed academic outcomes. The teachers in these schools do not admit their wards in the same schools, they send them to private schools at higher cost.

It would be rewarding if the government attempts to equip govt schools with attributes of quality education so as to make them attractive for all sections of the society. The problem is surmountable if the government shows a strong will ensuring accountability and commitment at all levels.

Dr S KUMAR, Panchkula

Spiritual overhaul

Most of the Indians consider it a sin to waste even a morsel of food. The residual food left in the plate is not wasted by confining it to the waste bin; rather it is offered to birds, animals etc. On the other hand is the news of tones and tones of foodgrains including wheat and rice being wasted in government godowns (News report ‘Colossal wheat wastage in Punjab, Haryana’, May 2).

The system needs infrastructural overhauling, but before that the people at the helm of affairs need spiritual overhauling so that the ‘sweat’ of the farmers in fields does not go waste.

Er KK SOOD, Hoshiarpur

Not a tradition

Dowry is no longer a tradition (“Dowry deaths”, May 4). It has occupied the status of one-sided business over the years. Crime records are replete with dowry deaths in multitude. It is a cause of concern that citizens like us have developed a myopic attitude for such a nefarious crime. Dowry given by parents of the bride is now akin to bribing her in-laws for looking after her throughout her life.

The so called “chalta hai” attitude must be overlooked and the realms of our thinking must be changed. The pliable government rules must be made rigid.

VASUDHA PANDE, Paonta Sahib