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

Save ash-hit villagers

I was pained to read the story “In ash-struck Panipat village, no bride for young men” (January 16). It is a pity that young men of Sutana village in Panipat district of Haryana are not finding brides and are forced to live a bachelor’s life. The reason for the pitiable condition is that the land in the village that used to be fertile a few decades ago has turned barren due to the seepage of fly-ash emitted from the Panipat Thermal Plant Station.

More shocking is the plight of the villagers who have been running from pillar to post to get the problem solved. The once rich farmers are now working as labourers to make both ends meet and feed their families. The villagers have pleaded to the government to take over their now-turned-barren lands at the market rate so that they could buy land elsewhere and earn an honourable living. But no one is coming to their rescue.

Why were such deadly after-effects of the thermal plant not thought of in advance? There must also be cases of serious ailments due to the inhaling of fly-ash by the people of the area. Immediate remedial measures must be initiated by the government to save the people of the area.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

No polio, thanks to Rotary

Apropos the editorial “Polio becomes history”, behind the success story of eradicating polio in India, is the relentless work done by members of Rotary International, India chapter. It was an uphill task, with illiteracy, gender bias, cultural barriers, poverty and ignorance being glaring obstructions in achieving the goal. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also did a wonderful job with financial help and support worldwide.

B.M.SINGH, Amritsar

Sages & lustful judges

News items like “Delhi HC restrains media” (January 17) prompt me to think about what the rishis of yore and judges of today have in common.

Our sages eschewed worldly luxuries and lived a life of contentment in deep forests, meditating and enhancing inner qualities. The kings used to seek their advice and entrusted the education of their wards to them. Yet, men of such high learning have been known to fall for sensual pleasures and lust. For example, famous sage Vishwamitra fell for an apsara, Menaka. But he was framed by Indra, the king of Indralok, as he feared his severe penance could dethrone him.

In the present context, the venerable members of our apex court are regarded as men of high learning, erudition and experience. They are provided with all the necessities required to lead a dignified life by the state so that they can perform their duties with independence and prudence. The accused can be likened to Vishwamitra, but of a different kind. While the sage was framed, the accused judges are alleged to have initiated the sexual misconduct.

Er L R Sharma, Sundernagar

Castrate them

Newspapers are full of reports related to rapes. The solution lies in introducing a law which can prove a deterrent. Usual prison and capital punishment are not proving successful. The lawmakers may take a lead from the ancient remedy: castrate the culprit. Facing the prospect of losing manhood, no macho male would dare touch any woman.

Dr H S Coonar, Chandigarh

Try till you succeed

We all know of the story of a spider who made it to the top after several failed attempts. But many may not be aware of a story of the same nature of a human being. If you meet successive failures in life, don’t get disheartened, take inspiration from this story and keep trying till you succeed.

At the age of 21, he fought a local election and was defeated. At 22, he entered into wedlock that did not work. At 24, he tried his hand in business, but failed. At 27, his marriage ended in a divorce. At 32, he fought an election for the Lower House of the US Congress, but met defeat. At 37, he tried his luck in the Senate election, but again faced defeat. At 42, he re-entered the election fray for the Lower House, but was humbled once more. At 47, he lost the election for the post of the Vice-President. But the same man, at the age of 51, became the US President. His name is Abraham Lincoln.

WG CDR CL SEHGAL (RETD), Jalandhar

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