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

‘Power’ful lies

I am typing this letter on the computer on standby power since the PSPCL power has been gone for over half an hour without warning or intimation about when it will be restored. Not a day goes without power going off for hours without notice. I am, however, surprised to see a one-third page advertisement in The Tribune (April 13) claiming “Power Surplus Punjab” with big photos of Modi and Badal. Whom are they trying to befool through these blatant lies? Janata sabh janti hai.

Dr D S Grewal, Ludhiana

Queue for PMship

We, in India, are used to standing in long queues, whether to get ration, cinema and railway tickets, driving licences, Aadhaar cards etc. The 2014 General Election has given birth to a different queue: that for the PM’s chair.

We have Modi, Rahul, Mulayam and some gentlemen from the third or fourth fronts. And the ladies -- Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, Jayalalithaaa -- are also in the waiting line. These PM hopefuls will soon disappear in despair, except for the one lucky aspirant from the motely crowd.

L.J. Singh, Amritsar

Singing to govt tune

It is sad that Punjabi singers such as Harbhajan Mann, Diljit Dosanjh, Jazzy B and Gippy Grewal are singing in favour of the SAD government (“Netizens fret and fume over Punjabi singers humming SAD tunes”, April 15). An artiste should not take sides, especially with any political party. The ire these singers are drawing from the public on the social media is understandable.

They should apologise to their fans and return the money received from the government for the ad-songs. This will remove the stain on their character before it becomes permanent and unwashable.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Embarrassing melody

Punjabi singers, including Harbhajan Mann, Jazzy and Diljit Dosanjh, are singing songs in praise of a particular political party. They defend themselves by saying that they do not charge any money for the songs, but few believe them on this. They charge thousands of rupees for their performances. Once Gurdas Mann was invited by a students’ organisation in Punjab University for a performance and the then Chief Minister Beant Singh who was the chief guest had remarked that the singer had charged ~1 lakh for the show.

Many years back, AIR had banned Kishore Kumar’s songs because he had sung one that was objectionable to the ruling government. A similar situation can arise for these singers. If tomorrow the government is changed, their position will become embarrassing.

Ujagar Singh, Chandigarh

Snatch their right to vote

I was pained to note that only 5.4% and 6.81% residents of Sectors 6 and 7, Panchkula, respectively, had cast their vote in the Lok Sabha poll on April 10. It reveals an utter lack of sense and disrespect for the value of vote. When such irresponsible people do not recognise the sanctity of the vote and do not exercise their franchise, the right to vote should be snatched from them for some time as punishment.

It is generally found that high class society persons shun voting. This is also evident from the percentage of polling in the northern sectors of Chandigarh which is far less than that of the southern sectors.

T.R. Goyal, via email

May the best win

India is a big democratic country and has a strong Lok Sabha with MPs elected by voters of different states. These MPs are of high moral dignity. Only the one who has good contacts with the locals and has helped in the betterment of his sector and promises to be helpful in future has the chance to win.

Jaswant Singh, Chandigarh

Check human trafficking

Human trafficking from Punjab to greener western countries is continuing unabated. People are languishing in jails and dying in boats and ferries while crossing over by illegal means, but the trend is continuing. Once when I was travelling from London to Birmingham by bus and en route, I overheard a conversation of some Indian students in the bus: “Je kisse maa-baap ne apne bachian to badla laina hove, tan ohna nu bahar parhan vaaste bhej dain.” (If some parents feel like taking revenge from their children, they should send them abroad for studies).

The Punjab government should take a tough stand to stop human trafficking which is mushrooming. Everyday, newspapers carry advertisements of travel agents making false statements to lure the people. The people should be made aware that they are wasting their hard-earned money and putting their life in danger by believing the unscrupulous travel agents.

The government should create more avenues for employment and business for the disgruntled youth so that they do not run to western countries. Also, harsh punishments should be given to fake travel agents.

Wg Cdr Jasbir S Minhas (retd), Mohali

End child labour

Poverty is a sin. Child labour has snatched happiness from little faces. The child’s life is like a bud that has decayed before it could bloom into a flower. The government has made education compulsory for children, they are provided with books, midday meals and uniforms free of cost. Many needy children are denied these facilities as they are made to work at teastalls, eateries and railway stations. Minors are seen carrying heavy luggage on their tiny shoulders and heads at bus stands and railway stations. They are rebuked, reprimanded and beaten by their masters. Child labour breeds bad habits, leading to crime.

Thousands of children are born poor and die under the same conditions. A campaign need to be launched to educate and provide jobs to poor parents to bring an end to the menace.

Malika Sharma, Abohar

Pension arrears awaited

The Finance Department of Punjab issued a letter dated February 25 to all banks to pay arrears to the Punjab pensioners, but it has not yet been done. The authorities must expedite the payment.

Skattar Singh, Amritsar

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