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

India must concentrate on security first

Apropos the article ‘China’s assertion of power: Incursions can hit capital inflows’ (May 14) by Charan Singh, the writer has vividly explained that all super-powers of the world ensured security for their countries first and economic growth automatically followed. We are giving top priority to economic growth and relegating security while dealing with China.

China intruded in the DBO sector and showed dominance for 20 days and then withdrew as nothing happened. It dictated us to dismantle a tin shed at Chumar. How long will we accept its aggressive behaviour following the philosophy of Sun Zu as to how to handle India. China has surrounded us in the Indian ocean, taken over Gwadar port and made a strong military base at Gilgit in Pakistan. Can we achieve the $100-bn trade target with China, which is not in favour of India’s boosting its military power. We are putting the cart before the horse.

G S SOHI, Jalandhar

Fatal sport

Recently I came to know about a dangerous act of tractor pulling (Tochan Mela) being promoted as a sport in village fairs of Punjab through the Internet. Maybe it will be a common sport in village fairs. But the way the performers perform this sport can be quite dangerous for them.

I belong to Punjab and I, like many other Punjabis living abroad, always wish for the welfare of Punjab. I doubt those who arrange the sport really value the lives of the performers. We should refrain from holding or taking part in such fatal “sport” activities.

AMANDEEP SINGH, Leicester (UK)

Investor awareness

Today, educating masses/investors on financial matters through awareness campaigns has become a necessity to caution them against investing in schemes floated by shady companies. In the wake of the multi-crore Saradha scam, banks have to highlight the need for reaching out to people in rural and semi-urban areas in order to acquaint them with the risks involved in investing in such schemes.

There is a need for mass media campaigns to inform investors that higher returns on deposits involve higher risks. Many people park their money in such schemes after being lured by the promise of high returns or to purchase land or a house against the deposited amount. It is time people avoid such schemes as are not okayed by the RBI.

S C DHALL, Zirakpur

New trains, when?

The enthusiasm and joy generated among passengers by the commissioning of Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link is slowly fading. Though a month has elapsed since the launch of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana track, not even a single train – passenger or mail/express – has been introduced on it by the Railways. As Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has resigned his post, passengers of the region are doubtful that they will get a new train soon.

I request the authorities concerned to immediately ply a train on this route for the passengers of Chandigarh and Ludhiana.

DR GURMEET SINGH GILL, Samrala

Ban cheer-leaders

Cheer-leaders were introduced in the game of cricket a few years ago. That the semi-clad cheerleaders dance in an obscene way when a player hits a four/sixer or gets bowled or caught out, is really disconcerting as well as embarrassing for those who watch cricket matches along with members of the family. One fails to understand the logic of introducing these cheer-leaders. Rather, these cheer-leaders appear to dilute the entertainment one gets through watching a live telecast of a match. The BCCI should not allow such things in cricket matches.

KL SETHI, Panchkula

IPL shame

The IPL has become a national-level festival of capitalists, which symbolises their phenomenal growth. It seems to promote a blind love for lucre and lust. I agree with The Tribune's perception that celebrities like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar ought to keep themselves away from such "cultural celebrations" of affluent business barons who happen to be IPL team owners also. Actually, the IPL culture ridicules the millions of poor people of our country who toil day and night to keep their body and soul together.

DR RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

Children’s health The editorial ‘Health and education’ (May 18) rightly asserts that the IBSY and NRHM schemes are here to take care of children’s health. Moreover, their regular education needs special attention to have best results from them. The teachers and other officials must discharge their duties in a responsible manner. As welfare is not charity, the staff is not supposed to take it as a burden. Stern action should be taken against those who take this task as a formality. A comprehensive health examination of all children in schools and anganwadis should be periodically conducted by health specialists and the needy properly treated. The quantity and quality of mid-day meals must be regularly checked. Girls need to be protected from anaemia. They need to be given a nutritious diet and iron and folic acid tablets. Parents and the school management committees should be counselled to take care of their health. In fact, an “institutional mechanism” is immediately needed to effectively implement these welfare schemes. Misuse of funds must be prevented. SUDESH KUMAR SHARMA, Kapurthala