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

Politics over OROP

During the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations at Anandpur Sahib, in the presence of Parkash Singh Badal, the then Defence Minister George Fernandes had declared that the issue of one rank, one pension had been resolved and would be announced soon. But it never happened even as the NDA ruled for five years. Now 15 years later, the UPA government has made it possible. But some news reports say that it is the result of the ‘war cry’ by Badal Sahib. After hearing the war cry, Rahul Gandhi and the PM were frightened and the UPA government declared OROP! What political gimmickry!

Jaswant S Lamba, Khamano Mandi

Retire teachers at 60

The retirement age of schoolteachers in Haryana should be raised from 58 years to 60 years as in Rajasthan and Punjab and Delhi where it is 62. Experienced teachers are more fruitful for students. Also, the move will meet the shortage of teachers in schools. Meanwhile, their retirement funds such as gratuity commutation, GPF will remain with the government and can be used for government works.

Asha Rani, Karnal

Helpful cops

On February 16, when my wife and I were passing through Sujanpur in Hamirpur district, the point of Modi’s rally, my car developed a snag and we were stranded on a road full of people and vehicles. I felt uncomfortable in the crowd and began perspiring. A young DSP on duty noticed my condition and with the help of a policeman, he helped me take the car to the side. Then the officer sought the help of a local mechanic who fixed the problem and I could proceed to my distant destination. Hats off to the HP police.

DC Kapil, Sihardi (Solan)

Inspiring story

The story of Padma Vibhushan awardee scientist Raghunath Anant Mashelkar “Igniting innovation” (Profile, March 2) by Harihar Swarup speaks about some hard facts of life and could prepare one for the challenging life ahead. It is a fact that success does not come easy. The journey of life is like a road that is bumpy and full of puddles. One has to tread very cautiously and pay the cost in terms of hardships and adversity. An individual’s life is shaped by hard, odd, challenging and adverse circumstances. One needs to focus on goals. The significant trait of questioning which gives rise to innovations has been rightly emphasised.

Ravi Sharma, Jammu

Don’t waste courts’ time

With reference to the editorial “Tiwari’s misadventures” (March 5), it is clear that Tiwari knew well that he is the biological father of Rohit Shekhar, but he accepted it only after seven years of litigation in various courts. He had been dodging the courts with excuses, including one of his age (80 plus). But at the same time, he was seen dancing at a faraway place where he even allegedly tried to grab a woman to dance with him.

Is it not mockery? Shouldn’t Tiwari be fined for wasting the time of courts as well as government money? Don't such instances of taking courts for a ride mount pressure and result in pendency of millions of cases? Penalty should be imposed on such fraudulent respondents so that it acts as a deterrent.

KL Gupta, Shimla

Visit to homes in Pak

This is with reference to the news report “Punjabi families who migrated from Pak will be taken on a visit to their houses across the border: CM” (March 4). Haryana Chief Minister BS Hooda said that Punjabi families who had migrated from Pakistan during the Partition in 1947 would be taken to Pakistan to visit their houses free of cost. Further, on the demand raised by the Punjabi Ekta Manch for allotting land to the displaced people from Pakistan, land is being acquired. In the last week of December 2013, the process of the acquisition of land from small owners at Sarai Madud (Becharag Moza) in Ambala started under the old Act of 1894 instead of the new Land Acquisition Act which was passed by Parliament and it received Presidential assent on September 27, 2013.

Gulshan Kumar Bindra, Ambala