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

Why double standards?

This letter is in reference to the article “EU bans import of Indian Alphonso, four veggies” (dated April 29). No wonder, the concentration of pesticides in Indian veggies and fruits is quite high and such restrictions on our food items by UK’s DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is not a new one. Punjab’s potato is itself struggling for the past 10 years to gain access to the European markets. But all efforts seem in vain as the EU currently bans its imports due to the concern over pests and diseases. Are Indians immune to pesticides? If no, then why MNCs like Coca Cola and Pepsi have different parameters for their products? Coke manufactured in India can never be sold in America and EU. The truth is if a product is unsafe for an American or European, then it should be equally unsafe for an Indian as well. Why these double-standards? No matter how hard the Indian growers try, the foreign agencies will continue their pest trick for our products.

Ankita Kalia, via email

HP cops set right tune

I would like to appreciate the Kangra police in Himachal Pradesh for their initiative on spreading awareness among voters to use their voting rights in the forthcoming General Election. A caller tune, which encourages voting, set on the number of police officers reflects their sense of duty. I would like to congratulate the whole team who initiated the step. For this, the Kangra unit really deserves a salute. We feel secure with such policing activities.

Nikhil Sharma, Bilaspur (HP)

It is shocking that some shelter home owners are exploiting the inmates by pushing them into sexual abuses like rape and sodomy. “Apna Ghar” in Haryana is most notorious for this ghastly crime. The lady owner freely supplied girls from her shelter home to politicians for getting political mileage and this malicious drama continued without reprieve. She was so daring that she even threatened the saviours of these children with dire consequences (apropos editorial “Abuse in shelter homes” dated April 29). Obviously, under such circumstances the inmates have no one else to turn to for redressing their grievances. Even otherwise, their fear psychosis is so deep that they doubt everyone. It is this reason that 18 inmates of Bal Niketan in Chandigarh refused even to meet the team of counsellors. They have completely lost faith/trust in human beings. All NGOs are not bad, but their failure is that they did not raise their voice against their fraternity members who indulged in wrongdoings. Yet it is never too late to join hands to shut down such harmful shops.

RM Ramaul, Paonta Sahib

Cops and free travel

Police personnel wearing khaki uniform can be seen travelling free in government as well as private buses. Neither does a conductor ask them for tickets nor do they make an effort themselves. Though most states provide free travel passes or tickets to the policemen, the documents concerned need to be shown to the conductors whenever the beneficiaries travel. Anyhow, it’s a common scene to witness policemen traveling from their house or home towns to their workplace free of cost.

Bony, Bareta

Offer emergency aid

Last Sunday while coming from a friend’s residence after a morning walk, I saw an injured woman with a baby bleeding profusely hardly 100 metres from GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh. The lady was surrounded by over 10 persons but none was ready to help her. I heard them say, “Bekaar ki tension hai, police ulta fansa degi”. I was forced to think whether the citizens are afraid of tedious police procedures or are we forgetting humanity? On my request, a young woman came forward to help me take the injured to the GMCH Emergency and the hospital staff came to our rescue. Due to fear of harassment, people do not come forward to attend the injured. It is with this intention that the Supreme Court gave directions regarding road accident victims that “Every injured citizen brought for medical treatment should instantaneously be given medical aid to preserve life and thereafter the procedural criminal law should be allowed to operate in order to avoid negligent death”.

Aditya veer Singh, Chandigarh

Forming next government

In the event of a hung Parliament, two largest parties/groups should be called to form a collective government. The ministries should be divided proportionately. The Prime Minister should come from the largest party. This would improve the working of the government. Post-poll alliances should not be allowed under any circumstances as these may breed opportunism, horse-trading, arm-twisting and even blackmail.

Dr JL Seth, Banga

Spend time with folks

The middle "Sharing time with pensioners" (May 2) set me reminiscing for the time and relations gone-by. By lending ears to pensioners, the writer is actually making amends for the guilt of not lending these sufficiently to his father owing to his tight work schedule. In pursuit of career, most of us don't have time when our parents are around. And ironically when we are free, mostly our parents are not around. Like the writer, I, too, am guilty of not sparing the required time for my father due to my over-busy work schedule. Once a friend from Philadelphia went to see my father. He sarcastically said that while his son could not get a ‘visa from Phagwara’ to meet him in the village, which was less than 7 km away, how come the friend could get visa from Philadelphia, which was over 7,000 km away!

I am sorry, father! Our parents gave their quality time to us and we should also return it to them in kind, especially when they are old.

Jaswant S gandam, Phagwara

Forms at higher rate

Himachal Pradesh University’s examination forms are being sold at higher rates in some parts of Kangra and Chamba districts. The most notable example is Bhattiyat where a Rs 5 form is being sold for Rs 30-Rs 40. These corrupt practices should be stopped immediately.

Rohil sharma, Bhattiyat (HP)

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