Time to act

Despite the umpteen acts of barbarity committed against our soldiers by Pakistan soldiers/terrorists, our government has always been unwilling to react or retaliate. Such ceasefire violations by Pakistan do not bode well for harmonious relations. Shockingly, the government is still bent on holding peace talks with it. This dilly-dallying attitude of our government has exposed our weaknesses and inability to take on a tiny country like Pakistan. We cannot bear to be back-stabbed repeatedly by the enemy and lose our precious soldiers. It is time to act now.

NIKHIL KATOCH, Palampur

Tobacco sale

Nowadays the use of tobacco products by teenagers is shocking. More than 1,200 smokers die daily all over the world. And at least two youth or adults become regular smokers. Nearly 90 per cent of new smokers learn smoking from their friends. Moreover, the easy availability of tobacco products near schools and houses just make things worse and they turn chain smokers in no time. The state government has failed to check the sale of these items in the vicinity of schools. Also, the sale of tobacco products to teenagers below 18 goes unchecked.

AKKU ATTRI, Ludhiana

Tumbling rupee

With every passing day, the value of the rupee has been depreciating. Though China, Brazil, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Turkey "are suffering from the same syndrome", the Indian rupee is the worst performer, making markets nervous and the government does not seem to have much elbow room to tide over the crisis. The non-functioning of Parliament has led to the stalling of various Bills, besides policy paralysis on the part of the government. The ruling dispensation is not strong enough to take bold and effective steps to turn the tide of events for the growth of the economy which (at 5 per cent) is the lowest in a decade. The fiscal deficit is rising. It may lead to a credit downgrade.

DEEPAK TANDON, Panchkula

Baradari Garden

Patiala has been a princely state and it boasts a number of gardens. It has the famous Baradari Garden meant to enjoy morning/evening walks and exercises in a pleasant atmosphere. Sad to say, Phatak No. 21 passes through it, posing a risk to the lives of visitors. The authorities would do well to install traffic signals at both ends of the divider crossing the tracks or provide other safety measures to prevent a tragedy.

TARLOCHAN SINGH PHULL, Patiala

United against RTI

It is distressing to note that politicians of all shades join hands when their interests are common and at stake. The Central Information Commission's ruling, bringing the political parties under the RTI, and the Supreme Court's judgement to disqualify the convicted MPs and MLAs came as a bolt from the blue for most politicians.

Most of the political parties, irrespective of their differences and agendas, have united in fighting back instead of adopting these reforms. They seem to be against the principle of transparency. They all have adopted unanimous resolutions to nullify both the reforms.