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Rein in

“Punjab new hotspot on drug map” by Jangveer Singh (Sunday Tribune, March 17) presents a grim scenario of drug smuggling, which is possible only due to the connivance of peddlers of border villages and some people in the forces who are lured with quick monetary benefits. This menace has assumed alarming proportions as drugs continue to be smuggled into the state with ease, reflecting poorly on the police. The government must act fast as easy availability of drugs is going to ruin the youth.

Ravinder Singh, Jalandhar

II

The scourge of drug addiction has reached epidemic proportions as the government deals with it only cosmetically, targeting small couriers and leaving powerful people backing this heinous trade untouched. The government should focus on big fish. For any illegal activity to thrive, it requires strong political backing and connections, so unless these links are exposed, drug smuggling will only continue to grow.

Dr Vitull K Gupta, Bathinda

Original little master

Reference to “Shikhar, Sachin, Sunny and of all things cricket” (Ground Zero, March 17), despite being labelled aggressive, Sunny is a kind-hearted genius and brilliant orator. As a self-styled greatest fan of the original ‘little master’, if I had to select someone to bat for my life, it would be him and no one else, even Sachin would agree. Sunny’s twin hundreds in Karachi in 1978 were the evidence of his batting acumen. I hope he will someday discuss these innings during commentary. Another thrilling moment was the thrashing of Malcom Marshall on his way to 121 in 1983 at Ferozshah Kotla. Marshal was a bowler who could kill someone on the cricket field with the ball and the Indian team’s credibility was at an all-time low after its defeat in Kanpur.

Vijay Kaushish, Dehradun

Out of focus

Apropos Ruchika M Khanna’s article, “Punjab industry: All plan, no action” (Sunday Tribune, March 17), unless alternative cropping pattern is taken up, the state can’t really grow as agricultural production has reached a plateau and the industry is shifting. The industrial policy should be implemented in a way that consumer gets goods at a reasonable price, the manufacturer earns reasonable profit, and goods find wider markets. Red tape and shady deals should be checked for facilitating the state’s growth trajectory.

Gurmit Singh Saini, Mohali

II

It’s vital to push for the growth of MSMEs for self-employment among the youth. We need to motivate the youth towards entrepreneurship by strengthening infrastructure, training and finance. The user-pay principle should be followed with honesty, without which no infrastructural facility can be made efficient and equitable.

Dr MM Goel, Kurukshetra

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